SUVs may have increased in numbers through the years, but the Philippines still has love for small, practical vehicles – from the humble multicab to compact SUVs that squeeze through city traffic. I, for one, am one of those who prefer smaller vehicles rather than excessively huge ones. Too bad, kei cars aren’t a thing here.
Case in point: the Mitsubishi Delica Mini, a kei van from Japan that debuted in refreshed form at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. It’s tiny, yes, but it has the kind of charm and toughness that feels tailored for Filipinos.
Mitsubishi describes it as an “active and reliable partner,” and it shows. The Delica Mini takes the familiar boxy kei-car form and adds a sense of attitude that’s almost disproportionate to its size. It looks ready for a mountain drive, even if it’s just running errands. There’s something naturally endearing about the upright stance, round headlights, and thick bumpers – a mix of playfulness and confidence. In Japan, it’s seen as an “adventure companion,” but in a Philippine context, it’s easy to imagine it as a go-anywhere daily – climbing up Baguio’s zigzags one day, navigating narrow Manila backstreets the next.
Underneath the cute exterior is serious thought. The Delica Mini is the smaller sibling of the Delica D:5 – Mitsubishi’s cult-favorite off-road minivan. That family connection isn’t just branding. The Mini borrows the same upright cabin layout, short overhangs, and rugged stance that make the D:5 so versatile. Despite being a kei car, it’s engineered with real-world toughness in mind.
Japanese buyers clearly like what they see. Before its official October 29 launch, the Delica Mini already secured over 10,000 preorders – more than double what Mitsubishi expected. Most customers went for the high-end DELIMARU Package, which adds premium interior finishes, an integrated Google infotainment system, and all the lifestyle cues you’d expect from something aimed at weekend explorers. Interestingly, over half the orders are for the 4WD variant – proof that buyers see it as more than just a stylish city toy.
That makes you wonder how well it could fit here. A tall kei van with 4WD, clever packaging, and Mitsubishi’s badge? It could’ve been a hit for those who want something practical but not soulless. Instead, we’re stuck watching it from afar.
If there’s any proof that the Delica Mini isn’t just a pretty face, it’s that it’s already served as a support vehicle in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) – Mitsubishi’s off-road proving ground in Southeast Asia. It may be compact, but it’s built to survive real trails, not just the occasional gravel driveway.
Add to that its 2025 Good Design Award recognition, and the picture gets clearer: this isn’t a novelty. It’s a statement about what small cars can be when design and function meet halfway.
For the Philippines, though, it’s just another car we’ll never get. Kei cars don’t fit our vehicle regulations, and that’s unlikely to change soon. But if they ever did, the Delica Mini feels like the one that could capture local hearts – the small van with big presence, perfect for our crowded cities and adventurous weekends.
It’s the kind of vehicle we talk about wistfully: smart, efficient, rugged, and just plain likable. The kind that makes too much sense to actually happen here.
