Report: Mitsubishi Is Planning to Launch an Electric SUV in 2026
Mitsubishi will reportedly launch a new electric SUV in the United States in 2026—its first EV since the dinky departed in 2017.
The electric SUV will be related to the replacement that's expected to ditch its hatchback body style for a trendier SUV form.
Mitsubishi is also mulling a lower-priced version of the as well as a lifted variant of the .
Mitsubishi's first electric car in the United States, the i-MiEV, lasted from 2012 to 2017, but frankly, it wasn't much more than an electric golf cart, with a tiny pod-like body and a paltry 62-mile range. But now Mitsubishi is preparing to reenter the world of EVs with a more competitive offering. The Japanese automaker plans to launch a new EV in the United States in 2026, according to a report by Automotive News.
The report states Mitsubishi alerted its dealers to the impending arrival of its EV at a meeting last week. Few details were provided, but AN said its sources claim the EV will be a small crossover with a coupe-like roofline and could share parts with the upcoming Nissan Leaf replacement, which is expected to ditch the dowdy hatchback look. The Nissan variant, which is expected to share the CMF-EV platform that underpins the Ariya, is due later this year. It was also teased by the Chill-Out concept from 2021.
Mitsubishi's EV will reportedly be built in Japan. AN reported that dealers said they will "embrace" the EV but are bemoaning the loss of the Mirage, which was discontinued after the 2024 model year. The Mirage had a huge year in 2024, netting 29,766 sales (more than double its 2023 result), and enough to make it the brand's second bestseller behind the Outlander.
Mitsubishi dealerships don't expect the EV to be able to plug the gap left by the Mirage, however, which had a starting price of just $17,965. Although production of the Mirage ended in December, dealers should have enough supply of the inexpensive car to last into the summer.
Mitsubishi also discussed with dealers the possibility of introducing a lower-priced trim for the aging Outlander Sport, which is already the brand's least expensive model in the absence of the Mirage. With a starting price of $25,415, we're not sure what Mitsubishi can remove to make the compact SUV cost even less.
At the dealership meeting, Mitsubishi reportedly announced that a lifted Outlander model will reach showrooms within the next two years. Mitsubishi is planning a refreshed Outlander for the 2025 model year, which is set to be revealed on February 24. Mitsubishi has already announced that the Outlander facelift will bring a slightly reworked cabin, new interior colors, and a new Yamaha sound system.
Car and Driver asked a Mitsubishi representative about its reported EV, lower-priced Outlander Sport, and lifted Outlander, but they declined to comment on the AN report.
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