New Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross EV: Shared Bones, Fresh Face, Big Range

Mitsubishi just made a very pragmatic move in Europe, and honestly, it fits the moment. Building a brand-new electric vehicle platform takes billions, years, and a complete reshuffle of suppliers. When the calendar and the budget do not add up, you borrow great bones and make them your own. That is exactly what Mitsubishi did with the new Eclipse Cross for Europe, partnering within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance to fast-track an electric crossover people can actually buy soon.

Look at it from the side and the family resemblance is more than a coincidence. The doors, glass, and quarter panels track closely with the Renault Scenic E-Tech. Open the door and the shared DNA continues: the dashboard layout, the steering wheel, and the screens feel familiar, with Mitsubishi graphics and branding to make it theirs. The real Mitsubishi touch comes in the places that shape identity without blowing up costs: new front and rear bumpers, a revised hood, fresh daytime running lights and taillights, different wheel designs, and a brand badge that signals where it sits in the showroom. It is different enough from the donor car to feel intentional, not rushed.

This is not cutting corners; it is smart product timing. Europe is moving quickly to electrification, and Mitsubishi needs the right vehicle in that lane today, not in three product cycles. Borrowing a proven package that has already earned serious respect — including European Car of the Year honors — gives Mitsubishi momentum. The fundamentals are strong: about 215 horsepower, an 87 kilowatt-hour battery, and a claimed WLTP range north of 370 miles. That is the kind of spec sheet that eliminates range anxiety for most daily use and weekend trips.

There is a consumer upside to platform sharing, too. Insurance repairs get easier when body panels and certain components align with a higher-volume twin. Suppliers are already tooled up, parts availability tends to be better, and long-term maintenance can be less stressful. The industry has done this for decades in smart ways — think the Toyota Aygo, Citroën C1, and Peugeot 107 trio — and Mitsubishi itself is currently selling the Colt and ASX as close cousins to Renault models. The new Eclipse Cross simply leans farther into the formula, and that is fine when the result looks good, drives well, and shows up on time.

Sometimes “store-bought” is the right call when the recipe is proven. While Mitsubishi finishes cooking its next generation of dedicated platforms, this alliance-powered Eclipse Cross gives European buyers a well-equipped, good-looking electric crossover that feels ready for real life right now. If you appreciate practical choices that still deliver, this is one worth watching.