In 2009, Mitsubishi launched the first mass-market electric vehicle that you could actually go out and buy. It was the not-exactly-a-hit i-MiEV, though, and since then, the company hasn’t exactly been at the forefront of electric technology. That’s about to change, sort of.
The CarBuzz spies have just snapped the company’s second attempt, although in this case, second attempt might be a bit generous. No, the vehicle in question won’t be bad. In fact, we suspect it will be very good. That’s because we’ve kinda already driven it and gave it two CarBuzz awards. Beneath this heavy camo is a Nissan Leaf with Mitsubishi badges.
MitsuLeafi?
Mitsubishi Electric VehicleCarBuzz/Valnet
The resemblance between Leaf and this new EV is immediately apparent as soon as you look at the first image. The Leaf’s shape, which runs an arc from nose to tail with just a slight jog at the top of the fenders, is very distinct. If anyone tries to tell you all crossovers look the same, this is your rebuttal.
It won’t be completely a Leaf, though. The headlights, for example, do not use Nissan’s sharp C-shape. Instead, they have multiple side elements, exactly what you’d expect from a Mitsubishi. The lower bumper is also unique, with a large area of dark trim but plenty of body color showing. The Leaf is almost entirely black below the main line of the bumper.
Mitsubishi Electric VehicleCarBuzz/Valnet
The taillights on this prototype are also new. The grid is probably just camo, but the square grid of lights looks more like what you’ll find on the latest Porsche models, not a Mitsubishi or a Nissan.
Three-spoke wheels are a nice touch, and those, too, are very Mitsubishi. The company has had some excellent three-spoke designs over the years, including on the Montero, 3000GT, and others. The unusual design works with the unusual shape to give it all a little more harmony in the overall look.
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Expect Mitsubishi to add more details when we see the uncovered car. The brand’s dynamic shield face, for a start, which goes beyond just those headlights.
Expect More Differences Than the Rogue/Outlander Mashup
Mitsubishi Electric VehicleCarBuzz/Valnet
This new car should be full Leaf under the skin, but it won’t be quite the badge engineering exercise that the Nissan Rogue PHEV represents. That model has a logo on the nose and almost nothing else different. This EV at least seems to have some new and distinctive body panels.
We don’t have a name yet. Possibilities from the company’s back catalog include Colt, Lancer, and it could even become a new RVR. Could the Mirage make a comeback? Probably, not. Though the Mirage left North America in 2024, it’s still sold elsewhere.
Last May, Mitsubishi revealed a teaser image that showed off seven new models. We believe this is one of those, probably the one just left of center in the image. That’s when it confirmed this new EV, its second, was set to be revealed this summer. That’s also when Mitsubishi confirmed that the new EV would be Leaf-based.
While it’s too early for specifics, we can expect range and power figures close to those of the Leaf. The 2026 Nissan Leaf offers a 214-horsepower motor with 261 pound-feet of torque in S+, SV+, and Platinum+ models in the US. A 75 kWh lithium-ion battery offers up to 303 miles of range.
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The Leaf is vying to be the lowest-priced EV in the US, along with the Chevrolet Bolt. A lower-range and cheaper S model was expected, but has been delayed. Mitsubishi will probably take a similar path to Nissan, with this new model starting around $30,000.
