Mitsubishi D:5 Delica debuts – the answer to your SUV-MPV dilemma

As a car buyer, have you come to a point where you’re not sure whether to get an SUV for a bit of off-roading, or an MPV for flexibility and comfort, or a passenger van for people-hauling capacity? Well, Mitsubishi Japan has an answer to that with the 2019 D:5 Delica.

Made to cross the features offered by the three vehicle segments, the D:5 Delica is technically an MPV with a bit of off-roading capabilities and the body style of a passenger van. A bit weird, right?

Regardless, the new MPV is the latest Mitsubishi, right after the facelifted Strada last week, to don the brand’s Dynamic Shield design language, which explains its slightly-exaggerated X grille and LED light configuration (from top to bottom: daytime running lights, headlights, and the fog lamps).

The new MPV is offered in two variant types: Urban Gear and Standard, each with their own set of styling to suit your taste.

The D:5 Delica Standard (photos above) is greatly differentiated with the Standard version with its intricately-designed X grille and the seven-spoke rims. Its rear end is also adorned with small taillights connected by LED guide lights. It’s also more robust than the other type, with a higher ground clearance and under-claddings, exuding an SUV appeal.

On the other hand, the D:5 Delica Urban Gear (photos below) feels more of an MPV than an SUV to match the driving condition that its name implies. Armed with a “plain” X grille, a simpler taillight design, and a classier set of multi-spoke wheels. Its ground clearance is lower, too, and there aren’t any underneath claddings.

The interior of the D:5 Delica is designed to accommodate seven people as standard. However, going for the leather-clad upholstery brings that down to six in exchange of solo seats at the second row with black-quilted leather. The dashboard, on the other hand, employs a “horizontal axis” design for both variants for a streamlined look.

Powering the D:5 Delica is a 2.2-liter DI-D clean diesel turbocharged engine married to a newly-developed eight-speed automatic transmission. No output figures are disclosed, though. What’s new, however, is the inclusion of 4WD modes that include differential locks. Aside from its SUV-esque features, the D:5 Delica has safety systems to boot, which includes Forward Collision MItigation, Around View Monitors, and Lane Departure Warning.

The new Mitsubishi D:5 Delica is now available for pre-ordering in Japan. There's no news of its global availability yet, but if the demand dictates it, we may be seeing left-hand versions of this SUV-MPV-van hybrid on Philippine roads sooner than later. If.