The Mitsubishi Delica family

For several years, the Delica name remains sacred to the Mitsubishi history because it's the series of vans coveted by Japanese families because of its practicality and versatility. It's the 21st Century, and the Delica story has been changed since the arrival of the Mitsubishi Delica D:5 in 2007. Yes, we had this around for five years but haven't aged a bit. Mitsubishi kept themselves busy to keep the Delica name alive and hey, in 2011, they have another Delica models only this time borrowed from other Japanese car manufacturers. The Delica D:2 is essentially a Suzuki Solio with a Mitsubishi badge on it while the Delica D:3 is a triple-diamond star version of the Nissan NV200 Vanette.

Question is, how does these Delica models compare?

Mitsubishi Delica D:5

Mitsubishi Delica D:5

PRICE LIST:

2.0 M 8-seater - 2,330,000 Yen

2.0 G Power Package 7/8-seater - 2,661,000 Yen

2.4 M 8-seater 4WD - 2,772,000

2.4 G Power Package 7/8-seater 4WD - 3,072,000 Yen

2.4 G Premium 7/8-seater 4WD - 3,619,000 Yen

The Mitsubishi Delica D:5 may look stodgy and old, but still catching up in today's trends. 2WD variants come with the 2.0L 4J11 4-cylinder SOHC MIVEC engine that produces 150PS of power and 191Nm of torque while mated with a CVT. Fuel economy based on the JC08 cycle is 13.6km/L.

Meanwhile, 4WD models come with the 2.4L 4B11 DOHC MIVEC engine that generates 170PS of power and 226Nm of torque. Fuel economy is 11.2km/L based on the JC08 test cycle.

Mitsubishi Delica D:2

Mitsubishi Delica D:2

PRICE LIST:

1.2 X - 1,542,000 Yen

1.2 S - 1,656,000 Yen

1.2 S AS&G - 1,747,000 Yen

1.2 X 4WD - 1,667,000 Yen

1.2 S 4WD - 1,779,000 Yen

The Delica D:2 is powered by a K12B engine that generates 91PS of power and 118Nm of torque. For 2WD models, it has a fuel economy of  20.6km/L but if you're opted with the Auto Stop & Go function, this will have the fuel economy raised to 21.8km/L. For 4WD variants of the D:2, this will get up to 18.8km/L.

Mitsubishi Delica D:3

Mitsubishi Delica D:3

PRICE LIST:

1.6 M (5-seater) - 1,889,000 Yen

1.6 G (7-seater) - 1,984,000 Yen

The Delica D:3 is powered by a 1.6L HR16DE engine that produces 109PS of power and 152Nm of torque. 5-seater variants of the D:3 will have a fuel economy of 13.2km/L while the 7-seater D:3 has a fuel economy of 12.8km/L.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Well, the Delica D:5 is the top of the Delica family because not only it carries up to either 7 or 8 people but also it has tons of features that you are expecting for a minivan. Also, it has INVECS-III 6-speed Sport Mode CVT to make things a little bit smoother. The Delica D:3 and the D:2 are just borrowed from different carmakers. The D:2 maybe the baby of the Delica range while the D:3 is a workhorse suitable for a simple Japanese family. Sadly though, I don't need some more explanations because for me, I think that the Delica D:5 is the better bet because unlike the D:2 and D:3, it's the best Mitsubishi minivan for the average Japanese family. I may gonna say that the Delica D:5 is a Japan-only car but what I heard, it's available also in Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, and that's it.

Mitsubishi Delica D:3 (BM20)

2012 Mitsubishi Delica D:3

The partnership between Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan goes even further with the introduction of the Mitsubishi Delica D:3, the NV200 Vanette-based addition of the Mitsubishi Delica lineup which consists of the original Mitsubishi Delica D:5 and the Suzuki Solio-based Mitsubishi Delica D:2.

2012 Mitsubishi Delica D:3

It has the same boxy design you've expect from the Nissan NV200 Vanette but on the front, the Mitsubishi Delica D:3 features a different front grille but it does look more similar to the outdated Oliver Boulay-designed pizza grille used in the past Mitsubishi models.

2012 Mitsubishi Delica D:3 interior

On the interior, there is nothing too special about the Mitsubishi Delica D:3. This low-cost Mitsubishi MPV can accommodate up to seven passengers and it offers wide array of seating arrangements that fits your lifestyle. The Delica D:3 features some jersey-style two-tone seats but unfortunately, this is the only interior color available.

The Mitsubishi Delica D:3 uses Nissan's HR16DE engine that delivers 80kW(109PS)/6,000rpm of power, 152Nm(15.5kg-m)/4,400rpm of torque, and 13.2 of fuel economy, thanks to its 4-speed AT mounted on the inside for easy driving.

Available in five exterior colors such as Cool Silver Metallic, Super Black, Bluish Green Metallic, Rose Red Pearl, and White Pearl.

My Comment:
The Mitsubishi Delica D:3 shows that the partnership between Mitsubishi and Nissan goes even further but as for my personal preferences, the Mitsubishi Delica D:3 is not as practical as the Mitsubishi L300 Versa Van. Not an ideal van for me to drive but what makes it up is for small business owners. You know what, it does made me confused.

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation