Comparison of the old and new “Delica Mini”! A full model change in just two years – Mitsubishi’s seriousness is amazing! It has changed so much

The Mitsubishi Delica Mini, released in May 2023, has undergone a full model change in just two years, an unusually short time. This sudden model change is not just a coincidence, but a sign of Mitsubishi Motors’ strategic decision and seriousness.

The explosive success of the first-generation Delica Mini led to sales numbers soaring four times that of the base model, the eK Cross Space. This success gave Mitsubishi the confidence and development budget to launch the long-awaited true Delica Mini, designed from scratch.

Three major evolution points of the new Delica Mini

1. Authentic design free from constraints

At first glance, the exterior of the new Delica Mini appears to retain the concept of the first generation, but in reality it is a completely different car, with everything redesigned from the bones down .

Bold evolution around the front

• The trademark round headlights have been enlarged to give the car a sharper look.
• The hood has been thickened and a Jeep-like vertical slit grille creates a powerful impression.
• The skid plate-like design has also been enlarged, giving the car a much more SUV-like appearance.

The most notable feature is the adoption of special fenders that are different from those of its sister car, the eK Space . This special design, which ignores cost and is rare for a minicar, establishes the Delica Mini’s own unique character.

Even more surprising is that the license plate has been offset to the left to make room for the Delica logo . This thorough dedication to branding shows how serious Mitsubishi is about its work.

2. A luxurious interior that breaks the mold for a minicar

The first thing that catches your eye inside the new Delica Mini is the monolith display , which combines a 7-inch LCD meter and a 12.3-inch infotainment system into a single panel . This is an extraordinary piece of equipment for a minicar, and some automotive journalists have described it as “on par with Nissan’s luxury SUVs for overseas markets.”

Advanced features with Google

The first Google-equipped infotainment system in a Mitsubishi vehicle in Japan allows you to use Google Maps just like on a smartphone, operate the air conditioning with “OK Google,” and add apps such as YouTube.

The seats have been redesigned with a stylish, high-quality design inspired by the furniture at glamping

facilities. The premium grade comes in a subdued khaki color, while the standard grade comes in a bright ivory color. The seating comfort, which the original owner complained about, has also been dramatically improved.

Practical outdoor equipment

• The outer surface is waterproof, so you can safely load outdoor gear.
• Air circulation circulator in the rear seats
• Window shades with three adjustable levels
• Tables are provided on the front seat backs
• Made of stain-resistant material, you can easily carry muddy tools.

3. Authentic driving performance that embodies the Mitsubishi spirit

The most shocking thing about the new Delica Mini is the elimination of the mild hybrid system . This decision, which may seem like a step backwards at first glance, shows Mitsubishi’s commitment to driving performance.

The 660cc inline 3-cylinder DOHC engine has been radically improved

by thoroughly reducing piston friction and completely revising the engine control program, achieving fuel economy equivalent to that of the first-generation mild hybrid vehicle without motor assist .

Revolutionary tuning of the CVT

completely eliminates the rubber-band feel that is common in conventional minicars, where only the engine noise precedes the accelerator pedal.The engine speed increases linearly in response to accelerator pedal operation, resulting in a direct and pleasant acceleration feel.

Engine specifications

• Naturally aspirated engine: Inline 3-cylinder 660cc (52ps/6.2kgm)
• Turbo engine: Inline 3-cylinder 660cc turbo (64ps/10.2kgm)
• Transmission: CVT (step AT wind control)
• Drive system: FF/4WD selectable

Improved fuel efficiency

• Naturally aspirated FF: 22.0km/L (improved from the current 20.9km/L)
• Naturally aspirated 4WD: 20.0km/L (Improved from the current 19.0km/L)
• Turbo FF: 20.5km/L (Improved from the current 19.2km/L)
• Turbo 4WD: 18.5km/L (Improved from the current 17.5km/L)

What’s noteworthy is that fuel efficiency has been improved despite the elimination of the mild hybrid system.

Full-scale investment in the suspension

The shock absorbers are the first Mitsubishi light vehicle to use high -performance dampers made by Volcano . They minimize internal friction and smoothly absorb even the smallest bumps in the road, providing a smooth, high-quality ride.

The Delica D5’s top engineers were in charge

of the suspension settings. The top engineers at Mitsubishi, who also worked on the development of the Delica D5 and Outlander, drove the car on Mitsubishi’s test course and made uncompromising settings specifically for the Delica Mini.

A genuine drive mode selector:

The first genuine drive mode selector to be fitted to a kei car is a dial-type selector inherited from the Outlander. In addition to Normal, Eco, and Power, you can choose between Gravel and Snow modes, which are unique to Mitsubishi.

1. POWER : Emphasis on powerful driving
2. ECO : Fuel efficiency is the top priority
3. NORMAL : Balanced standard mode
4. GRAVEL : Suitable for rough roads such as gravel roads
5. SNOW : Driving safely on snowy roads

In particular, the Gravel mode is a full-fledged system that integrates and controls engine response, CVT shift map, anti-skid device, traction control, brake LSD, and electric power steering, designed to handle situations such as entering a campsite that has been blocked by rain or driving on snowy roads.

A thorough comparison of the old and new Delica Mini

Changes in appearance

A revolution in Fender expression

• First generation : Fenders are painted differently (a brute force technique)
• New model : Real fenders with three-dimensional protrusions

Evolution of headlight shape

• First generation : Simple rounded design
• New model : Three-dimensional design with turn signals lit from the inside

Change in rear window shape

• First generation : A flipped-up design
• New model : Clean square shape for increased volume

Three-dimensional character lines

• First generation : Straight line with a narrowed center
• New model : Three-dimensional design emphasizes the fenders

Dramatic evolution of the interior

Dashboard

• First generation : Conventional minicar layout
• New model : A specially designed dashboard that is completely different from the eK Space

display

• First generation : Separate LCD and audio
• New model : Integrated monolith display

Material and texture

• First generation : Practical interior made mainly of resin
• New model : Luxury car level with stitched leather-like material, embossed finish, etc.

Strategy to differentiate from sibling models

It is also well differentiated from the Nissan Roox (eK Space), which was announced at the same time as the new Delica Mini.

Differences in design approaches

• Roox : An urban and sporty wagon
• Delica Mini : A wild outdoor SUV

Equipment differentiation

• Roof rails: Roox (none), Delica Mini (equipped)
• Fenders: Roox (body color), Delica Mini (blackout)
• Bumper: completely different design

Price and grade structure

The price range for the new Delica Mini is set at around 1.95 million to 2.95 million yen . Although this is an increase from the first generation’s 1.84 million yen, it is by no means too expensive considering the numerous special designs and overwhelming improvements in quality.

Although it is priced higher than competing SUV-style minicars, it offers unique value that can only be found in the Delica Mini.

Market impact and future outlook

Impact on the light height wagon market

With the arrival of the new Delica Mini, there is a high possibility that the rankings in the light height wagon market will be rewritten for the first time in over a decade.

Impact on major competitors

• Honda N-BOX : The first serious threat to the absolute champion
• Suzuki Spacia : Intensifying competition in the outdoor category
• Daihatsu Move Canvas : Direct competitor with sliding doors

Mitsubishi-Nissan Alliance’s Strategic Success

The new Delica Mini is the fruit of the development system established by NMKV (Nissan-Mitsubishi Joint Venture). By combining the resources of both companies, they have succeeded in developing a high-quality vehicle that would be difficult to achieve alone.

Summary: The birth of the true Delica Mini

Building on the confidence and budget gained from the success of the first generation, Mitsubishi’s designers and engineers were freed from constraints and pursued their ideals, resulting in the new Delica Mini, a car of such perfection that it can truly be called the first generation .

The new Delica Mini is packed with all of the above , with the car’s obsession to the point of shifting the license plate number to fit the Delica logo , a luxurious interior that breaks the conventional wisdom of kei cars, and driving that embodies the Mitsubishi spirit that inherits the lineage of the Delica D5 – it is undoubtedly a car that will be a huge hit.

Pre-orders for the new Delica Mini have already begun ahead of its release in the fall of 2025. There is no doubt that it will create a new sensation in the market as the ideal vehicle for light car owners to turn their everyday lives into adventures.