This Mitsubishi Minivan Has a Locking Diff and Off-Road Mode

Key Points

• The 2026 Delica D:5 is an AWD minivan with notable off-road capabilities.
• New updates include dropped 2WD trims, improved interior, and enhanced AWD system.
• Features clever drive modes, center-locking differential, and a robust 2.2L turbodiesel engine.

There Are AWD Minivans, Then There’s the Delica D:5
AWD minivans aren’t a new concept. The Chevrolet Astro AWD springs to mind when it comes to that. And let’s not forget the quirky (but overheating-prone) Toyota Van 4WD from the ’80s. There was a time when it was forgotten, but it’s now enjoying a resurgence through the likes of the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna.

There’s also no shortage of those over in Japan. If anything, all of the country’s automakers offer an all-wheel drive option for their vans, in all shapes and sizes. But it’s the Mitsubishi Delica D:5 that stands out, as it’s always been known for its off-road capabilities. Okay, it’s no Montero, but it’s been in the off-road-ready van game for over 45 years now.

New for 2026
Notice we said “new” instead of “all-new”? That’s because the 2026 model is still based on the same one introduced way back in 2007. This minivan shares its underpinnings with the second and third-generation Outlander, the final Lancer, and is even distantly related to the Dodge Journey. Still, it’s a hugely popular van in Japan, and anyone who’s been there will attest to that.

So, what’s new this time around? Probably realizing that more people went for the all-wheel drive model, the two-wheel drive trims have been dropped. The chunky cladding is included and no longer trim-specific, and there are tweaks to the front and rear fascias. Inside, there are enhanced interior materials and a new, fully digital instrument cluster. The advanced driver assistance also gets an upgrade, as does the all-wheel drive system.

What Makes the Delica D:5 Unique?
On the surface, it looks like a boxy minivan with body cladding to give it credentials it doesn’t deserve. The thing is, the Delica’s all-wheel-drive system is pretty clever, with some Evo DNA sprinkled in. But what sets it apart from other all-wheel-drive minivans is its drive-select modes.

Simply put, it’s not something you can find in a Pacifica, Sienna, or any other all-wheel drive minivan in Japan. It has snow and gravel modes, although it doesn’t have more serious modes like mud or rock. It does have a center-locking differential, though, something you’d want in off-roading. While it won’t be scaring Land Cruisers on a trail, it has enough hardware (and software) to hold its own on the rough stuff.

Other Highlights
The powertrain is refreshingly old-school and defies the whole electrification movement. Under its hood is a 2.2-liter turbodiesel mill, and there’s not even mild-hybrid tech in it. It’s simple, proven, and tried-and-tested. The compact diesel engine delivers 174 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, so don’t expect blistering acceleration. What’s more important here is its pulling power.

Ground clearance is over 7 inches, which is actually more than some crossovers out there. Mitsubishi is also quite proud of its approach and departure angles, really digging into the whole off-road minivan theme here. Speaking of which, there is no shortage of options to turn it into a factory glamper, from roof rails and baskets to neat storage solutions. Oh, and there’s an optional rear-entertainment system, too.