This Tiny Mitsubishi Van Has More Adventure Spirit Than Most SUVs

A Tiny Van With Big Presence

Kei cars aren't making headlines in the US, and there's a good reason for that: they're not legal on the road in most states. But if the world flipped over and suddenly we found ourselves eligible to buy or at least import one stateside, I'd choose this – the Mitsubishi Delica Mini. Its award-winning restyled version made its debut at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show alongside the Elavance Concept, and it's one of those little vans that feels much larger than its size suggests.

At a glance, it looks like a miniaturized adventure van – squat, square, and proud of it. It's the kind of design that doesn't try too hard to be cute, yet somehow ends up being endearing. The chunky bumpers, upright stance, and color combinations give it a playful, outdoorsy character that sets it apart from the urban Kei crowd.

Mitsubishi calls the Delica Mini an "active and reliable partner," and it lives up to that promise by feeling more like a lifestyle tool than just another compact city car.

Small Package, Big Personality

The new Delica Mini is part of Mitsubishi's full model change for its super-height kei wagons, launched alongside the eK Space. But while the latter leans toward comfort and practicality, the Delica Mini taps into the brand's off-road DNA. It borrows the adventurous spirit of its bigger sibling, the Delica D:5 – the go-anywhere minivan that's practically an icon in Japan. That kinship gives the Mini a tougher image than most kei cars, and it's more than looks.

Buyers seem to agree. Even before its official launch on October 29, the Delica Mini had collected over 10,000 preorders, more than double Mitsubishi's monthly target. Over half of those are 4WD models, which says a lot about who's buying them – people who plan to use them beyond the city. The most popular trim, the feature-rich Delimaru Package, accounts for nearly 70 percent of orders. And with its high-quality interior, Google-integrated infotainment, and raised stance, it's easy to see why.

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Beyond Pavement, Beyond Expectations

The Delica Mini isn't just pretending to be tough. It's already proven itself as a support vehicle at the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR), showing it can handle more than mall parking lots. That's an unusual flex for a Kei car, but it fits Mitsubishi's pitch of building "an evolved, active, and dependable companion."

Add in its Good Design Award Best 100 recognition, and the Delica Mini isn't just a cute novelty – it's a genuine product of thoughtful design and purpose. If Kei cars ever made their way stateside, this little van would be among the first to win people over. It's small, but it's got presence — the kind that makes you smile every time you see it.

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