Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback vs Nissan Leaf is a comparison of two versions of one car: they share the same battery, motor and body size. The 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV costs $7,755 more than the cheapest Leaf. The premium is worth it if you would have bought a well-equipped Leaf anyway and plan to keep the car a long time. If you want the most range for the least money, buy the Leaf S+.
Mitsubishi priced the Eclipse Sportback EV at $37,745 in October. Mitsubishi says the car is based on the next-generation Leaf, which it gets through its alliance with Nissan. The Leaf on sale now is the 2026 model; Nissan hasn’t announced US pricing for a 2027 Leaf.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback vs Nissan Leaf: price and range
Prices are MSRP from each brand’s website on Oct. 30. The Leaf ranges are 2026 EPA ratings; the Eclipse’s 282 miles is Mitsubishi’s 2027 EPA estimate, which isn’t on fueleconomy.gov yet. Price per mile of range is our math, MSRP before destination divided by range.
| Leaf S+ | Leaf SV+ | Leaf Platinum+ | Eclipse Sportback EV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $29,990 | $34,230 | $38,990 | $37,745 |
| Destination | $1,575 | $1,575 | $1,575 | $1,995 |
| Total with destination | $31,565 | $35,805 | $40,565 | $39,740 |
| EPA range | 303 mi | 288 mi | 259 mi | 282 mi (2027 est.) |
| Price per mile of range (EM math) | $99 | $119 | $151 | $134 |
| Efficiency (combined) | 121 MPGe | 114 MPGe | 103 MPGe | 112 MPGe |
| Wheels | 18-in steel | 18-in alloy | 19-in alloy | 18-in alloy |
With destination, the gap to a base Leaf is $8,175, because Mitsubishi charges $420 more for delivery. The Eclipse comes in one trim. Its only factory option is a $2,600 Technology Package with a dimming panoramic sunroof, 10-speaker Bose audio, a hands-free power liftgate and roof rails.
Mechanically they match. Both use a 75 kWh battery and a 214-horsepower front motor with 261 lb-ft of torque, and both have 20 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The Eclipse is 0.4 inch longer. Range differences come mostly from wheels and weight: the Leaf S+ on small steel wheels goes furthest, and the Platinum+ on 19s gives up 44 miles.
What the extra money buys
A base Leaf S+ is a fairly plain car. It has 12.3-inch screens, a manual driver’s seat, no heated seats and no built-in navigation. The Eclipse is closer to a Leaf Platinum+ in equipment, so the fair comparison is against the SV+ and Platinum+.
| Standard equipment | Leaf SV+ ($34,230) | Eclipse Sportback EV ($37,745) |
|---|---|---|
| Screens | Dual 14.3-in | Dual 14.3-in |
| Heated front seats | Yes | Yes |
| Heated rear seats | No | Yes |
| Heated steering wheel | No | Yes |
| Seat material | TailorFit front, leatherette rear | Synthetic leather |
| Power driver’s seat | 8-way | 8-way |
| Front and rear parking sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless phone charger | Yes | Yes |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 10 yr / 100,000 mi |
| Battery warranty | 8 yr / 100,000 mi | 10 yr / 100,000 mi, plus 8 yr / 100,000 mi capacity |
Against the SV+, the Eclipse costs $3,515 more and adds heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a much longer warranty. It gives up 6 miles of range. Both cars have a 3D surround-view camera and adaptive cruise with lane keeping as standard. The Leaf SV+ has Google built-in with Google Maps and Google Assistant. Mitsubishi’s Eclipse overview page also lists Google built-in, though its specs table didn’t show it on Oct. 30, so confirm on the window sticker.
Against the Platinum+, the Eclipse with the Technology Package costs $40,345, $1,355 more. Both then have a dimming panoramic roof, Bose audio, heated front and rear seats and a power liftgate. The Eclipse goes 23 miles further on its 18-inch wheels and carries the longer warranty. The Leaf adds driver’s seat memory, a 120-volt outlet, rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming mirror.
Charging is the same
Both cars use the same two-port layout. A J1772 port on the driver’s side handles Level 1 and Level 2 charging at home or at public stations, and a NACS port on the passenger side handles DC fast charging, including Tesla Superchargers. Both brands quote about 35 minutes from 10 to 80% on a fast charger, and Mitsubishi says the Eclipse adds about 85 miles in 10 minutes on a 150 kW charger. At non-Tesla fast chargers with CCS plugs you’ll need a NACS-to-CCS adapter, so ask the dealer whether one comes with the car.
The Leaf S+ is the most efficient of the four at 121 MPGe, and the Eclipse is at 112. On home electricity the difference is small; our guide to working out your EV’s electricity cost per mile shows how to run the numbers with your own rate.
Which one to buy
Buy the Leaf S+ ($29,990) if price and range matter most. It has the most range of the four, the lowest price per mile by a wide margin and the same battery and motor as the Eclipse. You give up heated seats and the bigger screens.
Buy the Eclipse Sportback EV ($37,745) if you want a well-equipped car and plan to keep it past five years. The extra $3,515 over a Leaf SV+ buys heated rear seats and a heated wheel, and the 10-year powertrain and battery coverage is the clearest difference between the two brands.
Skip the Leaf Platinum+ unless you want its memory seat and 120-volt outlet. It has the least range and the highest price per mile, and the Eclipse with the Technology Package matches most of its equipment.
Dealer pricing can change the math. The Leaf has been on sale for about a year and the Eclipse is brand new, so dealer discounts can move the gap either way. Check both brands’ offers with your ZIP code before you decide.
FAQ
Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV a Nissan Leaf?
It’s built on the same platform. Mitsubishi says the Eclipse Sportback EV is based on the next-generation Nissan Leaf, and both use a 75 kWh battery and a 214-horsepower motor.
How much does the 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV cost?
It starts at $37,745 plus $1,995 destination ($2,120 in Hawaii and Alaska). The Technology Package adds $2,600.
Which has more range, the Eclipse Sportback EV or the Leaf?
The Leaf S+ has the most at 303 miles and the Leaf SV+ is rated at 288. The Eclipse Sportback EV is rated at up to 282 miles and the Leaf Platinum+ at 259.
Can the Eclipse Sportback EV and Leaf use Tesla Superchargers?
Yes. Both have a NACS port for DC fast charging, plus a J1772 port for Level 1 and Level 2 charging.
Sources: Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV, Mitsubishi pricing release, Nissan LEAF specs and trims, 2026 Nissan LEAF press kit.