Green Car Journal has named the 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback its 2027 Green SUV of the Year, recognizing a battery-electric model that pairs a standard 75 kWh lithium-ion pack with 282 miles of range. The award marks Mitsubishi’s fifth win across the Green Car Journal program. The Eclipse Sportback debuts in October and enters showrooms alongside the Outlander mild-hybrid and the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid, giving Mitsubishi Motors North America three electrified powertrain choices in its U.S. lineup.
Highlights
- Standard 75 kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivers 282 miles of range
- DC fast charging up to 150 kW takes the pack from 10% to 80% in approximately 35 minutes
- NACS connector provides Level 3 access to the Tesla Supercharger network; a J1772 plug handles Level 1 and Level 2
- Fifth Green Car Journal award for Mitsubishi, following four consecutive Family Green Car of the Year wins from 2023 through 2026
What the Green SUV of the Year Award Recognizes
The Green SUV of the Year Award recognizes sport-utility vehicles that excel in environmental performance while offering style and versatility. Green Car Journal editors selected the Eclipse Sportback for the 2027 title.
“The stylish Eclipse Sportback EV is a strategic addition to the Mitsubishi lineup and a deserving winner of 2027 Green SUV of the Year,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and GreenCarJournal.com. “At a time when some others are scaling back, Mitsubishi is expanding its electrified choices with mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and now battery-electric models. Importantly, the Eclipse Sportback EV hits a sweet spot in the market that values a mainstream compact crossover that’s well-appointed, fun to drive, and comes with substantial range with convenient charging options that instill driving confidence.”
The win follows the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid’s Family Green Car of the Year award in 2019 and four consecutive wins from 2023 through 2026. The 2026 award was shared with the Outlander mild-hybrid, which Mitsubishi says was the first time in the program’s 21-year history that sister models claimed the overall title.
How Does the Eclipse Sportback Charge?
The Eclipse Sportback carries two charging interfaces. Charging time and capacity vary based on power source, ambient temperature, battery temperature, battery condition and age, and use of vehicle accessories while charging.
| Charging level | Connector | Capability |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 and Level 2 (AC) | SAE J1772 | 20% to 80% in 6.5 hours on Level 2 |
| Level 3 (DC fast) | SAE North American Charging System (NACS) | Up to 150 kW; 10% to 80% in approximately 35 minutes |
NACS compatibility gives the vehicle access to the Supercharger network. The Report previously detailed the Eclipse Sportback’s charging architecture ahead of launch.
Where the Award Fits in Momentum 2030
Mitsubishi Motors North America is executing a multi-year business plan called Momentum 2030. Two pillars of the plan cover adding electrification across the brand’s lineup and introducing new or renewed vehicles annually through 2030. The company positions the Eclipse Sportback as advancing both.
“It’s a huge honor to be recognized – again – by the editors at Green Car Journal, and these repeat accolades are yet another key reason for shoppers to visit a Mitsubishi Motors showroom,” said Mark Chaffin, president and CEO of MMNA. “We believe strongly in presenting our customers with choices: we offer conventional gasoline, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, all with incredible value and content. Families have more options than ever before, and the Eclipse Sportback is an exciting new option for those who choose to go completely electric without any compromise.”
Mitsubishi’s Outlander lineup took the 2026 Family Green Car of the Year title, and both Outlander variants remain in showrooms as the Eclipse Sportback arrives.
Mitsubishi’s Electrification Timeline
Mitsubishi traces its electrification work to the 1970s, when the automaker began developing fully electric vehicles in Japan. The i-MiEV, which the company describes as the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle, went on sale in select markets in 2009 and reached North America in late 2011. The Outlander PHEV, which Mitsubishi describes as the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV, was introduced globally in 2012 and arrived in North America in 2018.
