Mitsubishi Delica Mini 2024 Review — The Kei MPV With Real 4WD
The Delica Mini is the Mitsubishi-Nissan alliance's answer to the N-Box and Spacia, but with a unique angle — proper 4WD with hill-descent control. Lands LKR 9–13M for the T Premium 4WD hybrid.
thumb_up Pros
- check_circle Real 4WD with hill-descent control — class-unique among kei MPVs
- check_circle Sliding rear doors both sides; tallboy interior
- check_circle Mild-hybrid economy 21–24 km/L
- check_circle Mitsubishi diamond shield front-end styling — visually distinct from N-Box / Spacia
- check_circle Mitsubishi e-Assist active safety standard on T Premium
thumb_down Cons
- cancel Smaller SL service network than Honda or Suzuki
- cancel Inventory volume is moderate (~36 examples 2024+) — limited spec choice
- cancel Trim names are confusing (T Premium 4WD vs T Premium with optional 4WD)
- cancel Resale strength still being established in SL
Rating
8/10
The Mitsubishi Delica Mini is the kei MPV that nobody talks about — but should. Built on the Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance kei platform (mechanical relative to the Nissan Roox), the Delica Mini differentiates itself with real 4WD and hill-descent control — a feature no other kei MPV in this class offers.
For a Sri Lankan family in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, or Hatton who wants kei-class tax savings on a vehicle that can actually handle wet rural roads, the Delica Mini is the one specific answer.
What you get
- 660cc BR06 three-cylinder + ISG mild-hybrid (52 hp NA, 64 hp turbo on T grade)
- CVT transmission
- 5 doors (sliding rear sliders both sides), 4 seats
- 4WD with grip control + hill-descent control (T Premium 4WD, G Premium 4WD)
- Mitsubishi e-Assist (auto-brake, lane-departure, adaptive cruise) on T Premium
- 195mm ground clearance — highest of any kei MPV
- Tallboy interior, rear seat slide and recline
How it drives
The Delica Mini is the kei that drives like a small SUV rather than like a city box. The 195mm ground clearance is genuinely usable — you can take this thing onto unpaved roads to a tea estate or coconut plantation without the bottoming-out you’d get in an N-Box. The T grade turbo adds genuine power for hill climbs.
The 4WD system is real — not just AWD assist. The hill-descent control, taken from the larger Mitsubishi Outlander, regulates downhill speed automatically on slippery gradients. For a kei MPV, this is unique.
Mild-hybrid economy comes in at 21–24 km/L in mixed driving — slightly lower than the Spacia’s 22–25 because of the heavier 4WD drivetrain.
Sri Lanka tax math (2024 Delica Mini T Premium 4WD, JPY 2.6M FOB)
| Line | Amount (LKR) |
|---|---|
| FOB (JPY → LKR) | 5,200,000 |
| CIF | 5,500,000 |
| CID (20%) | 1,100,000 |
| Customs surcharge (50% of duty) | 550,000 |
| Excise (660cc × LKR 1,200/cc) | 792,000 |
| Luxury tax | 0 |
| VAT base | ~7,940,000 |
| VAT (18%) | 1,429,000 |
| Clearing + transport + dealer | ~900,000 |
| Indicative landed selling price | LKR 11–13M |
The G Premium 2WD (cheaper trim) lands closer to LKR 9–11M. For the full breakdown, see landed price explained.
Auction-sheet notes
- Target grade: 4 or higher. 2024 launch year — most examples are very low mileage.
- Watch for: 2WD vs 4WD spec confusion — the JDM trim names overlap. Verify the drivetrain badge on the rear and the 4WD selector switch on the dashboard centre console.
- T Premium vs G Premium: T adds turbo + better infotainment + LED headlights. G Premium is cleaner trim with same 4WD capability. T is worth it for highway use.
- Mitsubishi e-Assist: standard from T Premium; check the radar unit in the front grille on the auction sheet front photo.
- Genuine 4WD: Mitsubishi’s grip-control system. Not just sand/snow modes — actual mechanical 4WD with low-traction logic.
Who should buy this
| Pick the Delica Mini 2024 if… | Pick something else if… |
|---|---|
| You’re in hill country and want real kei 4WD | You’re Colombo-only — N-Box or Spacia is more practical |
| Hill-descent control solves a specific problem | You want maximum interior space (N-Box wins) |
| You want kei tax savings on a small-SUV body | Service network depth matters (Honda / Suzuki are deeper) |
| Mitsubishi styling appeals over Honda’s softer look | You want strongest resale (N-Box leads kei resale in SL) |
Verdict
8/10. The Delica Mini is a deliberately niche pick — the kei MPV for buyers who actually need 4WD. For most urban Sri Lankan families, the Honda N-Box or Suzuki Spacia is the right answer. But for a hill-country family who needs kei dimensions and real 4WD, there is no other option in the class.
Send us your spec and we’ll come back with current Mitsubishi auction Delica Mini examples filtered to your 4WD or 2WD preference.
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