Meet The New(ish) Cheap EV Hitting The U.S. This Summer

Home News Meet The New(ish) Cheap EV Hitting The U

What's Happening

This Summer The Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback is based on the $30,000 Nissan Leaf and hits dealerships later this year. Photo by: Mitsubishi Tim Levin By : Tim Levin Jun 9, at 12:00pm ET Add InsideEVs as a preferred source in Google Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail copy Share Comment Mitsubishi revealed the Eclipse Sportback on Tuesday. It's a small EV crossover based on the Nissan Leaf. in the late summer or early fall of this year, for an unknown price.

Why This Matters for EV Owners

• After a long hiatus, Mitsubishi is getting back into the EV game in America
• The 2027 Eclipse Sportback will hit the U
• in late summer or early fall, the automaker announced on Tuesday
• The compact crossover is a rebadged Nissan Leaf

The Bigger Picture

And the three exterior photos Mitsubishi posted reveal a slightly sportier look with more aggressive front and rear bodywork. The Mitsubishi version also offers striking triangle-shaped wheels you can't get on the Leaf. Mitsubishi hasn't shared any details about pricing, range, or other specifications. But the Nissan underpinnings tell us a lot about what to expect. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback is based on the Nissan Leaf but features slightly different design elements.

EV Comparison: How Do These Models Stack Up?

Among these models, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range leads in efficiency at 14.4 kWh/100km, while the Tesla Model 3 Long Range offers the longest range at 602 km WLTP.

Model	Battery	WLTP Range	Efficiency
Tesla Model 3 Long Range	75 kWh	602 km	14.4 kWh/100km
Tesla Model Y Long Range	75 kWh	533 km	16.9 kWh/100km

Data sourced from EVRoutes' vehicle database covering 60+ EV models. Ranges are WLTP-rated and real-world results may vary by 10-20% based on driving conditions.

What This Means for Your Wallet

Based on current European charging rates, DC fast charging costs between €0.30-0.65 per kWh depending on the network and country. This translates to roughly 40-60% savings compared to equivalent petrol costs. A typical fast-charging session takes 20-45 min (10-80% DC fast) — enough time for a coffee break on a long trip.

Real-World Range Considerations

EVRoutes' route calculations account for real-world conditions. In winter, expect 15-30% range reduction due to battery chemistry and cabin heating. Pro tip: Pre-conditioning the battery before DC fast charging can improve charging speeds by up to 30% in cold weather.

What to Watch Next

Photo by: Mitsubishi The Nissan uses a 75-kilowatt-hour battery pack and offers a healthy 303 miles of range in its base trim. (That falls to 259 miles of EPA range if you choose a fancier model with larger wheels. ) All Leafs are front-wheel drive, featuring a 214-horsepower motor. Charging power is rated at 150 kilowatts, and Nissan says you can recharge from 10-80% in 35 minutes.