• Auto123 gets in a (brief) first drive of the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback.
Montreal, QC - Fifteen years after pioneering the Canadian electric vehicle landscape with the i-MiEV in late 2011, Mitsubishi Motors returns to the fully electric segment with the 2027 Eclipse Sportback.
Given the paucity of new material from the Japanese automaker in recent years, the fact of a new model coming to town is reason enough for the company’s Canadian division to celebrate. The brand’s dealerships have done well in Canada with the Outlander and its PHEV sibling, but new blood was needed. What they get is, well, newish.
2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback – What’s new?
The Eclipse Sportback is very closely related to Nissan’s newest-generation LEAF, in fact you can go ahead and call it a rebadged version of that EV, although to be fair there are numerous differences in the exterior design and the interior environment. Structurally and mechanically, though, there’s not a ton of daylight between the two models.
Here’s one clear difference: the pricing. Mitsubishi has opted to avoid bare-bones entry configurations in favour of a well-equipped, two-tier lineup. That means it will arrive in dealerships with a starting MSRP of $48,998 (before freight and fees). That places it above the entry-level (and less equipped) 53-kWh Nissan LEAF S ($34,998), but also about $1,000 above the comparable 75-kWh LEAF SV+.
Powertrain of the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback
The EV is propelled by a front-mounted AC synchronous electric motor producing 214 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels via a single-speed reduction gearbox. No AWD configuration is offered. The system features a 353-volt, 75-kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack.
A Drive Mode Selector allows for toggling between Standard, ECO, Sport and Personal modes.
On standard 18-inch wheels, Mitsubishi estimates a maximum driving range of up to 454 km, or 9 km less than the mechanically equivalent 75-kWh Nissan LEAF SV+, which officially achieves 463 km. Estimated energy consumption stands at 1.9 Le/100 km city, 2.3 Le/100 km highway, and 2.1 Le/100 km combined.
Dual charging ports
The automaker dropped the legacy CHAdeMO fast-charging standard, adopting instead a dual-port charging configuration featuring a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port on the right side for Level 3 DC fast charging at Tesla Superchargers, paired with a standard SAE J1772 port on the left for Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging.
Using the 7.2-kW onboard charger on a 240V/30A Level 2 connection, replenishing the battery from 10 to 100 percent takes about 11.5 hours (or 6.5 hours from 20 to 80 percent). Connected to a 150-kW DC fast charger via the native NACS port, a 10-to-80 percent charge requires roughly 35 minutes under optimal conditions. Dealerships will also offer a CCS adapter for compatibility with non-NACS fast-charging networks.
Note that the vehicle has no official towing capacity.
Design of the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback
Because it shares its fundamental structure with the latest Nissan LEAF, the Eclipse Sportback exhibits a very similar overall profile. And that profile does help distinguish it from other, boxier models in the budding small electric SUV segment, like the Kia EV3 most notably.
It would be unfair to call this a design clone of the LEAF, though. Mitsubishi has applied distinct brand styling to differentiate the exterior. There are customized front and rear fascias, a unique front grille and bumper design, brand-specific lighting signatures, exclusive 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels and Triple Diamond badging.
Buyers can choose from five exterior colours: Storm Grey ($0), Nebula Red ($150), Galaxy Black ($300), Astral White ($300), and Midnight Blue ($300). Stepping up to the Tech Package adds black roof rails and an electrochromic fixed glass panoramic roof.
Interior of the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback
Inside, the five-passenger cabin feels airy and spacious, and prioritizes comfort and practical utility. Standard appointments include synthetic leather-appointed seats, 8-way power driver’s seat, 6-way manual front passenger seat and a 60/40 split-folding rear bench. Both the front and rear seats are heated, complemented by a heated synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheel and automatic climate control.
Behind the rear seats, the crossover provides 566 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,572 litres with the rear seatbacks folded down. Upgrading to the Tech Package brings added convenience via a hands-free power liftgate, plus you get a 10-speaker Bose premium audio setup in lieu of the base model’s 6-speaker sound system.
Technology in the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback
Given that Mitsubishi opted to forego offering a bare-bones base model of its new EV, every Eclipse Sportback comes generously equipped on the digital front, anchored by a 14.3-inch full digital driver display paired with a 14.3-inch central display audio system. Google built-in is standard alongside embedded navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charger, Type-C USB inputs, and a 3D Multi View Camera System.
Drivers can tailor regeneration and driving dynamics using steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, an e-step one-pedal driving mode and the aforementioned drive mode selector.
Driving the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback
This was an extremely brief first turn at the wheel of the new Eclipse Sportback, and it did not include any highway time or even any out-of-the-urban-environment time, for that matter. We were able to note the sprightly and effortless acceleration and relatively tight turning radius of the car, which is really in its element in the city. Steering is precise and clinical if not particularly tactile – what else would you expect from a non-performance EV, frankly – and the low centre of gravity gives the car a pleasingly anchored-to-the-road feeling.
We tested out the regenerative braking and while it’s touted as being truly one-pedal, meaning it will bring the vehicle to a full stop when you let off the accelerator, we were left with some doubt as to whether that always holds. As with many other elements of the driving experience, that will have to be determined when we get to spend a good week with the EV.
2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback – Pricing and availability in Canada
Scheduled to arrive at Canadian dealerships this month, the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback is offered in two trims:
- • Eclipse Sportback EV: $48,998 MSRP
- • Eclipse Sportback EV Tech Package: $54,098 MSRP
Buyers need factor in $2,005 for freight and $250 for PDI. While the base model sits higher than the entry-level 53-kWh Nissan LEAF S ($34,998) and carries a $1,000 premium over the comparable 75-kWh LEAF SV+, the base Eclipse Sportback qualifies for the federal Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP) rebate of up to $5,000, as well as applicable provincial incentives such as Quebec’s rebate of up to $2,000, until it ends officially at the end of this year. (So if that’s relevant to you, best call your dealer now.)
We should mention another valid selling argument for the new Eclipse SPortback: Mitsubishi backs the crossover with a 10-year/160,000-km limited powertrain and lithium-ion battery warranty, unmatched in the segment. That’s accompanied by a five-year/100,000-km comprehensive new-vehicle warranty and five years of unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance.
2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback – Competitors in Canada
- - Chevrolet Bolt EV (for the moment)
- - Hyundai Kona Electric
- - Kia EV3
- - Nissan LEAF
- - Subaru Uncharted
- - Toyota C-HR