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May 7, 2026 — Mitsubishi Motors has confirmed a starting price of $37,745 for the 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV, with up to 282 miles of range and deliveries slated for October. It's the first all-new battery-electric vehicle the company has brought to North America in years — and arguably its most important launch since the current-generation Outlander.
The Eclipse is one of Mitsubishi's most recognizable nameplates. From the late 1980s through 2011, it was a sporty coupe that showed up on magazine covers, in street-racing movies, and in the driveways of enthusiasts. The new Eclipse Sportback EV is a completely different animal: a five-door liftback with a raised ride height, crossover utility, and zero tailpipe emissions. It's a big change, but Mitsubishi has kept a few visual nods to the past — sharp body creases and a sloping roofline that echo the old coupe's stance.
This time around, the Eclipse isn't a low-slung two-door. It's a practical family vehicle that happens to carry a famous badge. That's a smart move for a brand that needs attention, but it also raises the stakes: buyers will judge it not on nostalgia, but on whether it works as a real EV.
At $37,745, the Eclipse Sportback sits right in the middle of the compact EV pack. It undercuts the Tesla Model Y, which currently starts north of $42,000, and it lands below the Hyundai Ioniq 5's base trim. It's not the absolute cheapest option — the Chevy Equinox EV starts lower — but it's close enough that price won't be an automatic disqualifier.
Of course, the base number is only part of the story. Mitsubishi hasn't released a full trim list yet, and all-wheel-drive versions will almost certainly cost several thousand more. We also still don't have the destination charge, options packages, or any state-level incentive bundling. Still, the chosen price point tells you a lot about Mitsubishi's strategy: it wants to be the value pick in the mid-priced EV segment, not a luxury player.
The 282-mile range figure is Mitsubishi's target for the long-range single-motor version. That would put it right alongside the Ford Mustang Mach-E's extended-range setup and the base Tesla Model Y, which are the benchmarks in this class. It's also more than enough for most daily commutes, and it keeps the car road-trip-viable if the charging network cooperates.
Mitsubishi hasn't yet published charging speeds, connector type, or battery size. Given the competition, a 10-to-80 percent fast-charging stop in roughly 30 to 40 minutes would be an reasonable expectation. The brand will also have to answer the big practical question: how easy it is to actually plug in, pay, and charge at public stations. That's still an open question for every automaker, not just Mitsubishi.
One angle that's easy to miss: Mitsubishi shares technology through the Renault-Nissan Alliance. The Eclipse Sportback EV isn't confirmed to ride on the same skateboard as Nissan's next electric crossover, but the engineering collaboration already runs deep. That shared development helps Mitsubishi bring an EV to market without shouldering the full R&D cost alone.
It also means the Sportback has a real chance to feel like a polished product, not a rushed compliance car. The interior and driving character are still distinctly Mitsubishi's responsibility. If the car feels like a proper Japanese EV with its own personality, buyers won't care which platform it's based on.
The compact EV segment is crowded. The Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, Chevy Equinox EV, and Honda Prologue are all fighting for the same buyers. The Eclipse Sportback has to stand out with equipment, ride quality, warranty, and a strong dealer experience.
Mitsubishi's dealer network is smaller than some rivals, especially in coastal states where EV demand is highest. But the brand has historically offered generous warranties, and that could help offset concerns about long-term ownership. A competitive price plus peace of mind might be enough to get the Sportback on shopping lists.
Mitsubishi says the Eclipse Sportback EV will arrive in October. That timing gives the brand room to finish EPA certification, fill initial orders, and train dealerships. Expect more details between now and launch, including exact trim names, equipment lists, and pricing for the dual-motor versions.
California and other zero-emission-vehicle mandate states will likely get the first allocation, followed by the rest of the country. If Mitsubishi can execute smoothly and get real cars into showrooms, the Eclipse Sportback could become a serious alternative to the usual EV suspects. If not, it'll be another long shot for a brand still trying to find its footing in America.
The 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV is a genuinely important launch for Mitsubishi. It's not a gimmick or a compliance special; it's a mainstream electric crossover with a familiar name, a sharp price, and enough range to compete. The big hurdles are execution and perception. Mitsubishi hasn't led the electric conversation in years, and some buyers may still be skeptical.
But at $37,745 with 282 miles of range, the Eclipse Sportback deserves attention. It's one of the few EVs that combines Japanese engineering, a nostalgic badge, and a price that doesn't require a deep financial yoga routine. October can't come soon enough.
