Mitsubishi Confirms All-New EV Coming Summer 2026 Using Same Platform As the Nissan Leaf

Kudos to Mitsubishi for squeezing as much life out of their flagship model as possible, but it's by no means a long-term fix. To do that, Mitsubishi needs an EV. Per the latest report, it's coming sooner than later.

With that in mind, word from Mitsubishi's North American office in Tennessee hailing the arrival of an all-new EV by Summer 2026 shouldn't be a surprise. With ambitions to unveil and sell a unique new model every year between 2026 and 2030, the first Mitsubishi EV in the US since the i-MiEV hit the scene in 2009 is set to be the first in line. Per Mitsubishi's official press statement, this especially important model in the lineup is set to use the next-gen Nissan Leaf's architecture as its underpinnings.

Like the Rogue and Outlander before it, the new Mitsubishi EV and the third-generation Leaf will share a symbiotic relationship in which the hardware underneath is similar, but the body and interior on top are bespoke to each brand. Unlike its Ariya SUV cousin, which was originally supposed to be the new Murano, mind you, the new Leaf will only offer a single front electric motor to keep costs down. With the AmpR Medium platform co-developed with Renault underpinning the entire range of Nissan-Mitsubishi EVs, it could just be the start of its contributions.

It's all in an effort to push towards Mitsubishi's ultimate goal of fielding a North American lineup as robust and competitive as rivals like Toyota, Honda, and Mazda. Dubbed Momentum 2030, we'll be seeing the first results of Mitsubishi's hard work within the next 12 months. For fans of the Mitsubishi brand since the Lancer Evolution touched ground in the States almost 20 years ago, it's the most exciting period it's seen in well over a decade. Then again, the bar's been set pretty low after such a long period of neglect in the North American market.

Will Mitsubishi's future lineup be as tempting as Toyota's? The jury is still out, but Mitsu's top brass feels confident. "Mitsubishi Motors is on an upward trajectory, especially in the United States," said Mark Chaffin, president and CEO, MMNA. "When we launched the Momentum 2030 long-term business plan to our dealer partners last May, there was a buzz in the room about an exciting future, but there was a desire for more concrete timing and plans. Today’s announcement is the first of many to come that reinforce our commitment to the US market, to providing the best vehicles we can for our customers, and ensuring a long and healthy future for our company in the US and globally."