New Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross EV is just a French SUV with a Japanese name

Mitsubishi has announced the return of the Eclipse Cross, but not as the world remembers it. The nameplate is now attached to an all-new electric SUV developed exclusively for the European market. This new model is quite a shift in strategy for the Japanese automaker, as it is fundamentally a French-built electric vehicle, sharing its core engineering and assembly line with the Renault Scenic E-Tech.

The new generation of electric cars from Mitsubishi abandons the coupe-like styling of its gasoline-powered predecessor and instead adopts a more traditional SUV profile. To give the vehicle a distinct Mitsubishi identity, designers focused on the front and rear. The face of the Eclipse Cross EV gets the brand’s signature split LED headlights and a closed-off grille that echoes the design of the larger Outlander.

The profile reveals new chrome details and unique 19 or 20-inch wheel designs. Around the back, revised LED taillights and more prominent black trim help differentiate it from its French cousin. Despite these changes, the vehicle’s origins are clear, revealing a deepening collaboration within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

Underneath the restyled bodywork, the Eclipse Cross EV uses the CMF-EV platform, a modern architecture dedicated to electric vehicles. The initial version will be equipped with a single electric motor powering the front wheels, delivering 215 horsepower (160 kW). This motor is paired with the 87 kWh battery pack, which Mitsubishi estimates will provide a driving range of 373 miles.

The battery system includes water-cooled thermal management and supports DC fast charging speeds up to 150 kW. A second, more affordable version is planned for 2026, which is expected to come with a 168-horsepower motor and a smaller 60 kWh battery.

The new electric Mitsubishi measures 176 inches long, making it slightly shorter than the previous model. Thanks to its EV-specific platform, it has a significantly longer wheelbase of 109.6 inches. This design choice typically translates to more generous interior space for passengers. The cargo area is also practical, offering between 16.9 ft³ and 59 ft³ of storage, depending on the position of the sliding rear seats.

If the interior looks familiar to European car buyers, that’s because it is largely carried over from its Renault counterpart. The dashboard is dominated by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a large, portrait-oriented 12-inch infotainment screen. The system runs on Google’s built-in software, providing access to popular apps and services.

To add a touch of its own branding, Mitsubishi will offer unique interior trim and upholstery options. High-tech features available include an electrochromic glass roof that can turn opaque at the touch of a button, customizable LED ambient lighting, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.

The new Eclipse Cross EV is part of a new trend for Mitsubishi in Europe, where few of its vehicles are rebadged Renaults, including the Colt (based on the Clio) and the ASX (based on the Captur). The new SUV will be built alongside the Renault Scenic at a factory in Douai, France, with production scheduled to start late in 2025.

Mitsubishi has already confirmed that the all-electric Eclipse will not be sold in North America, and instead a different electric crossover, sharing its platform with the new Nissan Leaf, will launch in the United States in the summer of 2026.

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