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News

Mitsubishi Plots a Comeback in the UK—And It’s Aimed Straight at the Heart of the Family EV Market

Mitsubishi is officially staging a return to the UK, four years after quietly exiting a market where it once enjoyed a loyal—and vocal—fan base. The Japanese brand has confirmed that sales will resume in summer 2026, with International Motors handling imports. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because the group already oversees UK operations for GWM, Isuzu, Subaru, and Xpeng, meaning Mitsubishi will slot into a portfolio that already spans everything from plug-in crossovers to rugged pickups.

What Mitsubishi hasn’t confirmed, however, is which models will make the trans-Channel crossing. But the shortlist isn’t hard to guess.

The Eclipse Cross is the most likely headliner. Now effectively a rebadged—but distinctly restyled—Renault Scenic EV, it taps directly into the UK’s booming electric crossover segment. Sharing underpinnings with Renault might raise eyebrows among brand purists, but the formula worked well enough for Nissan and Renault over the years. And if Mitsubishi can add its historically competent AWD tuning to the mix, the result could be a surprisingly compelling family EV with real dealer-lot appeal.

Also expected: the new Outlander Plug-in Hybrid. Its predecessor was a powerhouse in the UK PHEV charts—at one point practically defining the segment. The latest generation promises sharper styling, more electric range, and updated four-wheel-drive tech. If Mitsubishi wants to regain market share fast, bringing back its former bestseller seems like the lowest-hanging fruit imaginable.

Mitsubishi Europe CEO Frank Krol struck an optimistic tone, saying the brand’s new wave of models “represent the very best of Mitsubishi Motors’ core technologies in performance, four-wheel drive and much more.” Krol added that the company sees the UK as a “market where our brand continues to have a deep emotional connection with loyal customers.”

That sentiment is echoed by Sharon Townsend, head of Mitsubishi UK, who said the brand has continued to see “enthusiasm” from former owners even after its departure in 2020—enthusiasm strong enough to pull Mitsubishi back into the game.

Of course, sales need a place to happen, and Mitsubishi plans to bolster its footprint with new dealerships. These will complement the roughly 100 existing Mitsubishi aftersales garages still operating across the country—one of the reasons the brand’s absence never felt quite absolute.

Mitsubishi isn’t just returning to the UK; it’s preparing a strategically timed reboot aimed squarely at two of the market’s hottest segments. Whether the badge still carries the weight it once did remains to be seen—but with an EV crossover and a PHEV icon likely leading the charge, the brand’s 2026 comeback could be more than a nostalgia play. It might just be Mitsubishi’s second wind.

Source: Mitsubishi

CONCEPT CARS

2025 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 Prototype: The Cult Minivan That Just Won’t Quit

Mitsubishi may have packed its bags and quietly slipped out of the UK back in 2021, but that doesn’t mean the brand’s story ended there. Over in Japan, the company has been busy nurturing one of its most enduring oddballs — the Delica D:5, the go-anywhere, do-anything minivan that’s equal parts family shuttle and mountain goat.

At this year’s Tokyo Mobility Show, Mitsubishi rolled out what it calls a prototype of the latest D:5. Don’t expect an all-new generation just yet — this is more of a deep facelift than a clean-sheet design. But considering the current D:5 has been around since 2007 (with a nip and tuck in 2019), the fact it’s still evolving at all is something of a minor miracle.

And yet, somehow, it works. The new D:5 has been “enhanced” with improved steering stability and road handling, while Mitsubishi’s design team has leaned into the van’s rugged cult appeal. The updated styling swaps out the old chrome-heavy mug for a bolder, upright front grille that looks ready to headbutt a trailhead. The rear end gets a cleaner treatment with simplified lighting and a stretched “Delica” badge across the tailgate. Chunkier wheel arches and fresh 18-inch alloys round out the makeover, giving it that slightly unhinged “dad just bought a roof tent” energy we can’t help but admire.

Mitsubishi says it aimed for an “impression of a higher center of gravity” — which sounds like PR-speak for we lifted it because it looks cool. And honestly, it does. Few vehicles wear their off-road cosplay as earnestly as the Delica.

Inside, things have been brought up to date with a new digital instrument cluster, richer leather/suede upholstery, and khaki contrast stitching that’s both tasteful and outdoorsy. The water-resistant seats return (because, of course, this van assumes you’re always damp from some heroic adventure), and there are even USB-C ports sprinkled around for modern gadgetry.

Details on powertrains remain under wraps, but given Mitsubishi’s recent focus on electrification, a hybrid or plug-in hybrid variant would surprise no one.

So while British buyers might never again see a new Mitsubishi badge on local dealer lots, Japan’s latest Delica D:5 proves that the brand’s spirit of functional eccentricity is alive and well — and probably halfway up a volcano somewhere.

Source: Mitsubishi

CONCEPT CARS

Mitsubishi Elevance Concept: The Luxe Adventurer Has Entered the Chat

At this year’s Japan Mobility Show, Mitsubishi Motors didn’t just unveil another crossover concept — it planted a flag in the electrified wilderness with the Elevance Concept, a plug-in hybrid SUV that aims to blend rugged adventure cred with premium, almost lounge-like comfort. Think off-road explorer meets Scandinavian spa, and you’re starting to get the picture.

Forever Adventure, Electrified

Under the banner of Forever Adventure, Mitsubishi’s booth theme radiated nostalgia for the brand’s golden age of Pajeros and rally-bred Evos. But CEO Takao Kato insists the thrill of exploration doesn’t need to vanish in an era of quiet motors and carbon neutrality. The Elevance Concept, he says, is Mitsubishi’s way of fusing “the pure joy of driving” with the brand’s growing prowess in electrification and all-wheel control.

At first glance, the Elevance looks ready for both the Ginza district and the gravel roads of Hokkaido. Its styling is smooth yet muscular, a futuristic interpretation of Mitsubishi’s familiar Dynamic Shield design language. The front fascia trades aggression for sophistication — honeycomb grille, sculpted LED lighting, and sheetmetal that flows seamlessly from the headlights to the tail. The result is a vehicle that looks less like a concept car and more like a production model one executive misfiled into the “too stylish” bin.

Quad-Motor Grit Meets Glamping Grace

Underneath that sleek skin lies a quad-motor 4WD setup governed by Mitsubishi’s signature Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system — the same DNA that once made the Lancer Evolution a rally legend. Now, instead of chasing stage times, S-AWC keeps the Elevance composed on muddy trails or icy switchbacks, using Active Yaw Control at the rear and in-wheel motors up front for uncanny precision.

Powering it all is a plug-in hybrid system with a carbon-neutral-compatible engine and a large traction battery. For short commutes, it behaves like a quiet EV; stretch its legs on a road trip, and the hybrid system steps in to banish range anxiety. The setup also doubles as a mobile power station, capable of running campsite luxuries — kitchen, shower, or even a small trailer — for what Mitsubishi calls “glamping-grade adventure.”

If this is the future of roughing it, count us in.

The AI That Knows You Better Than Your GPS

Inside, the Elevance trades the typical SUV cockpit for something resembling a tech cocoon. A seamless, shell-like interior wraps passengers in soft leather and ambient light, while a panoramic display stretches from door to door. Even the steering wheel gets an embedded screen — home to the AI Co-Driver, a digital assistant that suggests destinations based on your habits and mood.

Heading into the mountains? It recommends the scenic route. Feeling low on battery (yours or the car’s)? It finds a café charging stop that matches your playlist’s energy.

And when the going gets rough, the AI adjusts drive modes in real time using road-condition sensors and vehicle data. It’s the sort of tech integration that might finally make “smart mobility” feel more intuitive than intrusive.

Design That Thinks Beyond the Pavement

Mitsubishi describes the Elevance’s structure as a “rib-bone frame”, designed for exceptional rigidity — the kind you’d want if your weekend plans involve washboard roads or steep climbs. Yet, from inside, it feels serene. The three-row, six-seat layout provides generous room for families or gear, while details like low side windows open the cabin to the surrounding landscape — a rare touch of theater in a crossover segment obsessed with slanted rooflines.

Even the most skeptical traditionalists might admit: if Mitsubishi brings this to production mostly intact, the Elevance could redefine what we expect from a plug-in SUV.

The Delica Legacy Marches On

Of course, Mitsubishi didn’t stop at the Elevance. The brand’s Delica series — part minivan, part SUV, all cult classic — also made a strong showing. The new Delica D:5 (prototype) borrows S-AWC tech and adds more refinement, while the pint-sized Delica Mini officially launched in Japan. Together, they represent Mitsubishi’s vision of adventure for all — whether your playground is a city street or a mountain trail.

The Elevance Concept might sound like an exercise in electrified optimism, but beneath the marketing gloss is a solid technical statement. Mitsubishi seems to understand that the future of adventure vehicles isn’t just about power or range — it’s about experience.

If this SUV ever reaches production, it could mark Mitsubishi’s boldest return to form since the days of the Montero and the Evo. A luxury crossover that can tow your glamping trailer and whisper to you about hidden mountain roads? That’s the kind of weirdly wonderful idea we can get behind.

Source: Mitsubishi