Mitsubishi continues to take shortcuts to new car launches by relying on alliance partner Renault to maintain some presence in Europe. Although unveiled this week, the 2026 Eclipse Cross isn’t all that new since it’s heavily based on the Scenic E-Tech, a model launched two years ago. It’s the latest product to arrive via a French connection, joining the Colt/Clio, ASX/Captur, and Grandis/Symbioz.
In fact, Mitsubishi now has more Renault-based models than proprietary ones in Europe, where the Space Star and Outlander are the only in-house products. While it would be easy to criticize the company for taking the easy road, developing an electric vehicle is expensive. Pouring money into an EV for a region where the brand holds just a 0.4 percent market share is risky business. Yes, a mere 0.4 percent, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for the first seven months of the year.
Not trying to play devil’s advocate, but Mitsubishi did make an effort to distinguish its product from the equivalent Renault model. This is more than a simple rebadge since several body panels have been changed. The hood, grille, and bumpers are all different, albeit a quick look at the profile betrays the model’s identity.
The 19- or 20-inch wheels feature a fresh design, and there's metallic trim on the rear pillar, but it’s still essentially a Scenic E-Tech. Not that many people shopping in this segment will likely care. It all boils down to pricing in an increasingly competitive class of electric compact crossovers.
The Renault DNA is even more evident inside, where there’s far less differentiation. The Eclipse Cross carries over the familiar dual-screen setup with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a vertical 12-inch touchscreen. New trim and upholstery options spruce things up, while higher-end versions add a panoramic sunroof with an electrochromic film that adjusts the glass’s opacity at the touch of a button.
The CMF-EV platform uses a front-mounted electric motor rated at 215 horsepower and 221 pound-feet (300 Newton-meters) of torque. It enables a 0–62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 106 mph (170 km/h). The motor draws power from an 87-kWh battery pack that supports 150-kW charging and is estimated to deliver a WLTP range of 373 miles (600 kilometers).
Mitsubishi also plans to launch a midrange model later in 2026, presumably with the Scenic E-Tech Electric’s smaller 60-kWh battery. Range should drop to around 260 miles (420 kilometers). Renault’s version with this setup makes do with a weaker motor rated at 168 hp and 207 lb-ft (280 Nm).
The name still irks us, but that ship sailed a long time ago. The Eclipse Cross has been around since 2017, and now it’s entirely electric. Production begins in the fourth quarter of the year at Renault’s Douai plant in France. We wouldn’t count on seeing this model in the United States, given the tariffs.
Attached at the bottom of the page is a photo gallery showing the Renault Scenic E-Tech.
