A revamp of the Mitsubishi lineup feels long overdue, and it looks like a more comprehensive roster of new models could be built by the end of the decade. According to an Automotive News Report, Mitsubishi is planning a bunch of new vehicles for North America including a sporting, cab-forward passenger van. First up? According to the report, hopping aboard the lifted crossover trend with an Outlander in an Otterbox.
Next year, Mitsubishi will debut a lifted Outlander crossover variant. The dealer described the Outlander Rugged Edition as “Subaru Outback-like” with large tires and a heavy-duty roof rack.
A beefed-up version of the Outlander crossover makes absolute sense. After all, everyone from Chevrolet to Subaru is hopping aboard the lifted, cladding-heavy ruggedized crossover train, so grabbing a slice of that market is a no-brainer. However, the really interesting thing is this van that’s purported to arrive by 2030.
Automotive News claims it’ll be based on the D:X Concept plug-in hybrid show van, and if you know your Mitsubishi-speak, you might recognize the letter ‘D’ followed by a colon as a naming convention of the Delica line of vans. Yep, the incredibly badass line of off-roady vans that we want but can’t have. In the words of Lloyd Christmas, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”
While entering the North American van market in the 2020s sounds like a wild plan, there would be some foundation for Mitsubishi to build on. Vanlife is still going strong, and the popularity of imported JDM Mitsubishi Delica four-wheel-drive vans is visible in certain parts of North America. While these older imports are still niche propositions, availability of new models and the convenience of left-hand drive ought to send a few vans off the showroom floor.
Plus, the lifestyle van market is experiencing a little bit of a renaissance. From the Ford Transit Trail to the Volkswagen ID.Buzz to the insane lead times on new Toyota Sienna minivans, proof exists that passenger vans can be desirable in America, they just have to hit the right spot.
On a more immediate note, Automotive News reports that the death of the Mitsubishi Mirage is expected to happen at the end of this year, but that “Mitsubishi will bring a plug-in hybrid small crossover to its lineup in the second-half of 2025 to replace the Mirage as the brand’s new entry model.” While we’ll be sad to see the Mirage go, the proposition of an entry-level PHEV is tantalizing. Should this happen, our curiosity will be fully piqued, as this sort of vehicle makes a ton of sense for North America. Plus, the Outlander Sport has been on sale for 13 model years, and it’s well overdue for replacement.
In any case, it looks like Mitsubishi is getting an overdue lineup revamp in North America. Considering how good the current Outlander is, we have reasonable hopes that new models should be competitive. Anyway, bring on the American Delica, because we’d all be stoked to see it.
(Photo credits: Mitsubishi)
Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.
-
The Internet Doesn’t Like The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, But It’s Historic For One Key Reason
-
Back In The 1990s, Mitsubishi Was Crazy Enough To Put A Lancer Evolution Powertrain Into A Tiny Minivan: Holy Grails
-
A Detail To Celebrate: The Mitsubishi Mirage’s Afterthought Of A Backup Camera
-
The Tiny 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage Ralliart Looks Just As Outlandish As We Hoped
-
The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Offers Oodles Of Range But A Confounding Third Row
Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage.
I gave up waiting for a VW microbus, and when the ID user interface crap was released I was bummed since the van would also have that dash. Imagine if Mitsubishi beat VW at their own game and brought us a cool van. VW has been sleeping/dragging their feet for decades. Bring it Mitsubishi!
Love it. And hate the annoying video that I can’t close. I am getting close to memorizing all of them at this point. Is it some sort of brain washing? Tired of seeing the fat wrong Sheldon Brown talk with his hands.
Well, since Nissan doesn’t really sell an equivalent product in North America, I’m assuming they’re not going to block Mitsubishi from adding this model?
The offroad Delica’s always looked like they would tp over in a stiff breeze, but I still applaud them for bringing something like this to the US. I do not understand how VW has not returned to this format in the US in some form already.
If this comes to the U.S. as a lifted AWD van that I can sleep in, preferably HEV or PHEV… there will be one in my driveway.
I.ay have missed but what transmission dies this have. The CTV isn’t reliable on flat paved roads I can’t imagine it working g on potholes let alone off road. In fact my neighbors bought a Mitsubishi with a CVT and it crapped out 100 miles past warranty. Not only did he get any help but no mechanic in the area was even willing took at it. The dealer said wait a few months and expect over $6,000 to start. I’m no longer willing to look at Mitsubishi let alone an off road van.
Is this what we’ll drive on Mars?
How much is the toll on the Mars Expressway?
Rant Incoming: I HATE THIS FAKE FORWARD CONTROL BULLSHITTERY! This concept, and that Canoo concept, both suggest forward control layout, but neither are due to crash regulations; which, yes, are important. Instead, it’s a traditional layout on the interior, with the exterior SUGGESTING it’s forward control! This is misleading, annoying, and goes into the bucket with all the other fake bullshit in automotive design these days: Fake engine noises, fake grills, fake scoops, fake exhaust pipes, fake diffusers, etc etc etc. IT SUCKS!
I made this to demonstrate what I am talking about.
https://i.imgur.com/Mhj5Fg0.jpeg
I actually got to sit in a current gen outlander and by God I actually liked how bolstered the seats were compared to your average crossover. Would i buy one probably not but it actually swayed a little cool points for it and if they brought this van to the states I’d totally be all over it
Damn. I’m not much for overlanding stuff, but that’s still cool.
Still want a HiAce. Do it, Toyota. Then in 20 years I might be able to afford used ones.
Oh no. Don’t be getting me too excited over this. I don’t think I can handle the disappointment when everyone but the U.S. gets it.
Here in the PNW, imported Delicas and Toyota HIACE vans are everywhere now. They’re cheap, rugged, have real low-range 4×4, and more versatile than a Swiss Army knife.
The thing is though, you can’t just bring a lifted Sienna to the US and expect it to sell. It’s got to have the funky cabover design, seats that swivel/flip/somersault, safari windows, a true low-range transfer case, and stickers all over proclaiming “Turbo Super Ace”, “Action Mega Cruiser”, “Planet Nano Dream” and stuff like that to draw all the Radwood Delica buyers away from the old ones.
I saw my first HiAce in Pennsylvania recently, but it had Mexican plates. I thought they were only allowed as work visas/tourists/that kind of thing?
For actual import/registration I thought they needed to meet the 25-year rule.
Please re-invent the Delica for the US market
Please re-invent the Delica for the US market
Please re-invent the Delica for the US market
Please re-invent the Delica for the US market
Every concept van we have been designing and hyping has just been re-inventing the Delica :'(
I would test-drive that. I wonder if there will be a mitzu dealership anywhere near me by 2030.
I think there is a certain EV company that should make something like this, too (other than Canoo, if they ever get production going). I just want the Rivivan to exist.
Of all the current BEV manufacturers I want Rivian to succeed the most.
I have to respect how they leave it as an obvious digital render. There’s no way someone looks at these and wonders whether they’re showing a physical concept car.
Since the 90s Mitz has been the king of awesome looking concept cars that simply fall short once they make it to production. That D:X concept looks awesome but we’ll never see anything like it on a dealership lot.
Whatever happens. I want that ground outlining screen on something.