Yes, you read that headline correctly. The Mitsubishi Eclipse is back, although enthusiasts and fans may want to look away.

While the Pajero/Montero is set to make a comeback as a body-on-frame SUV based on the all-new Triton, the Mitsubishi Eclipse is returning as a badge-engineered Nissan Leaf. Officially called the Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback, the battery electric vehicle (BEV) will go on sale in North America in late 2026.

Despite being based on the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi applied some cosmetic changes to the Eclipse Sportback to make it stand out from the original. For starters, it gets its own grille and a different front bumper, which gives it a more SUV-like appearance. Despite Mitsubishi's claims that the Eclipse Sportback gets its own LED headlights, they still look awfully familiar to the ones found on the Nissan Leaf.

Around the back, however, the Eclipse Sportback gets a new set of LED taillights and a back bumper to make it different from the Leaf. The result is a retro-inspired look for the Eclipse Sportback that's complemented by window-mounted door handles for the rear doors, giving the crossover a coupe-like appearance. The Eclipse Sportback also comes with stylish alloy wheels that feature a triangular design.

Pictures of the interior have yet to be revealed by the automaker. However, we won't be surprised if it looks similar to the Nissan Leaf's cabin. That means we can expect it to get a two-spoke steering wheel, a pair of high-definition displays for the instrument panel & touchscreen infotainment system, a floating center console, and perhaps a two-tone interior.

Since the Eclipse Sportback rides on the same CMF-EV platform that the Nissan Leaf is currently using, the EV from Mitsubishi will likely get similar battery and electric motor options. That means it may include a 52 kWh or a larger 75 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery packs, which deliver a range of up to 436 km or 622 km, respectively, based on the WLTP cycle.

When it comes to electric motors, the Eclipse Sportback could be offered with an electric motor that produces 177 PS with 345 Nm of torque or a more powerful unit that generates 218 PS and 355 Nm of torque.

More details about the Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback will be revealed closer to its market launch in North America. The question now is, will Mitsubishi also offer the badge-engineered Eclipse Sportback BEV to other markets beyond North America?