2026 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 Unveiled, Claimed to be Minivan That Drives Like an SUV

The 2026 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 will be available in Japan next month as a completely redesigned minivan capable of handling like a proper SUV on rough terrain, which is especially useful for someone who has a family to transport or a lot of gear to haul and frequently needs to navigate dirt roads and snow.

Mitsubishi has abandoned the Delica’s traditional boxy shape, which has served as its calling card for decades. The front end is now somewhat taller, with a redesigned grille and bumpers that pack a visual punch. The car’s flanks have slender LED headlamps coupled with silver trim, and the grille itself has those gorgeous tiered slats nestled in a small rectangular frame. You can see the wheel arch moldings bulging out in a distinct color, highlighting the Delica’s off-road roots. Out back, a giant banner that reads DELICA covers the tailgate, and while they’ve kept things relatively clean back there with no frills, they’ve added some 18-inch alloy wheels and some new color options like Moonstone Gray Metallic with Black Mica to complete off the look.

Inside, there is a strong emphasis on functionality. Seats blend water-resistant suede with synthetic leather bolsters designed to get muddy – just what you’ll need on those trips. You also get the appearance of some excellent khaki stitching. A modern digital display panel provides clear information, and the metallic accents on the dashboard provide a tough vibe to the location. They’ve also added some extra USB Type-C ports to the center and floor consoles. While it is a compact car, the layout allows for up to seven or eight passengers and plenty of storage space.

Power comes from the same old 2.2-liter turbo-diesel engine that has been used in the Delica for ages, which still produces around 143 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque, all sent to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Every Delica includes four-wheel drive as standard. The big news, however, is Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC), enabling the car to change torque and braking for each individual wheel to significantly improve grip as well as stability. There are four modes to choose from: Normal, Eco, Gravel, and Snow, so you may select the one that best suits the conditions you’re traveling in. And, to truly boost your confidence on steep downhill portions, there’s a hill descent control that keeps things stable while you focus on steering.

A better collision mitigation system that can actually spot bicycles, as well as new front and rear parking sensors and an even higher-resolution multi-around monitor that gives you a whole lot of extra angles to see what’s going on, all combine to make daily driving a whole lot more confident.

The Delica D:5 will cost between ¥4.51 million and ¥4.94 million, or around $28,600 to $31,500. The crowds that gathered to see the prototype at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, as well as the fact that Mitsubishi had over 5,000 pre-orders for it, indicate that this new update has done an excellent job of keeping the Delica true to its heritage as a versatile and durable vehicle that can handle whatever you throw at it.
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