Mitsubishi Delica D:5 (2019 minor change)

The Mitsubishi Delica has been one of the most dependable people carriers for five decades and the legacy continues with the latest version of the Delica D:5, the minivan that carries the Delica tradition of being tough, dependable, and versatile for the Japanese family. So, what's it all about the latest minor change for Mitsubishi's decade-old Delica minivan?

2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5

Mitsubishi labels the latest Delica D:5 an all-new car but in reality, this is basically a big minor change to the model that has been on the road since 2007, as old as Hyundai's Grand Starex when it gained a minor change a while back, but longevity aside, the new Delica D:5 promises new and exciting ways for the Japanese family to experience while taking road trips to numerous prefectures on the weekends or holidays.

2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5

2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5

There are two style variations the latest Delica D:5 such as the normal one which looks tough thanks to come SUV-like cladding while the new Urban Gear adds some minor aero stuff to make it more city focused but whichever Delica D:5 you're on, you are greeted by Mitsubishi's signature Dynamic Shield face that makes it more aggressive and sporty at every angle as well as its redesigned rear view for a more dramatic taste. Although odd-looking, the new shape really is the embodiment of Japanese minivans everywhere and it still works like every other minivan should.

2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 interior

2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 interior

On the inside, the redesigned interior of the Delica D:5 adds some freshness to one of Japan's most enduring minivans of this era and has plenty of room for family, friends, and relatives to make themselves while on the road. The eight-seater variants deliver the best out of its people carrier experience but those who want to get through the third-row seat easier in case all second-row seats are heavily occupied by child seats should be better off with the seven-seater variant. No matter the variant, the seats can be easily arranged for numerous purposes and provide a generous boot space for picnic stuff for the whole family to travel.

2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5

2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5

Being the only Japanese minivan at this age to be powered by a diesel engine, the Delica D:5 is powered only by a 2.2L Common Rail DI-D Clean Diesel engine that generates 145PS of power and 380Nm of torque while mated with an 8-speed Sports Mode AT, the fuel economy is about 12.6km/L on the WLTP scale. Apart from the engine that makes the Delica D:5 unrivaled, the optional 4WD with All Wheel Control makes the Delica D:5 capable of getting through tarmac, gravel, and snow. Word of advice that when in 2WD mode, most of the power is transferred to the front rather than to the back for stability purposes but when set to 4WD Lock, the Delica D:5 can be turned into a modest offroad minivan that can get through muddy and snowy roads and while it sounds too rough for a people carrier, the reinforced body and suspension setup really works its magic and that's something you can't do in your normal minivan.

As a certified Safety Support Car, the Delica D:5 is offered with Mitsubishi Safety Technology as well as e-Assist, making it a much safer car to travel from the beginning to the end of the day. Basic safety includes RISE body, SRS Airbags, ISO FIX, Multi-Around Monitor, Emergency Stop Signal, and others.

The Delica D:5 starts at 3,842,640 Japanese Yen (around $39,000) for the standard model while the Urban Gear starts at 4,067,280 Japanese Yen (around $40,700). So there we are, for a minivan as old as the Hyundai Grand Starex, the recently facelifted Delica D:5 continues to cater to today's Japanese families with its all-wheel drive capability, safety features, and versatile interior that makes it unrivaled.

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Mitsubishi adds Clean Diesel for the Delica D:5

Mitsubishi Delica D:5

There are some rumors that a diesel version of Mitsubishi's Delica D:5 minivan may come in the future and as it turns out this vision became a reality because Mitsubishi Motors Corporation just announced that they will add a Clean Diesel version of the Mitsubishi Delica D:5, which will hit showrooms in January 11, 2013 across Japan.

4N14 Engine

What to expect is Mitsubishi's brand new 2.2L 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine (4N14) that produces 148PS of power and 360Nm of torque. Mitsubishi claims that this new 4N14 diesel engine is reliable at low revs and smooth acceleration until high revs. With reduced pressure and temperature in the cylinder, it achieves a low compression ratio of 14.9. Fuel economy? Let's have a look...the Mitsubishi Delica D:5 with Clean Diesel engine has a fuel consumption of 13.6km/L based on JC08 Mode standards.

Prices start at 3,419,000 Yen for the 2.2 D Power Package up to 3,934,000 Yen for the 2.2 D Premium.

Scoop: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/1/178464/

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.