Why do you need an MPV?

That is the very first question you should ask yourself before even considering one. Well if you have, say, three growing children and the in-laws to think about, then that’s a fairly good reason to go get one.

What sort of MPV?

That’s a second important question you should ask yourself. Lets face it – we all have the tendency to buy things on impulse, and when buying a car, you won’t want to spend unnecessarily by buying the wrong car. Again, if your primary purpose is to ferry these three growing children and the in-laws, then you should be considering a large MPV. Something like the Stream and Wish won’t cut it.

Now, this is where the new Mitsubishi D:5 Delica enters perfectly. Despite its tallish stance and radical outlook, this is one MPV that can guarantee a job done every single time it’s required to.

You might opine how it looks almost similar to the parallel-imported Toyota Alphard and the Honda Elysion, but what sets the D:5 apart from the other two is simply its much angular overall profile combined with sporty good looks. The D:5 grabs attention simply because it goes against the norm in design - well, we all know how Mitsubishi is pushing the boundaries of automotive design these days, but the D:5 just about sums up how brave Mitsubishi is. It’s not as exciting as the Evo X or loveable like the i, but the surprising thing is the D:5 has a purposeful outlook that will just grow on you.

Our test car, which is the high-spec Roadest version, comes with three sunroofs, a set of full bodykit and 17-inch alloy rims wrapped with 215/55 R-17 Yokohama rubbers. Hands down, these additions goes a great length in giving the D:5 a more sporty stance. However, the overly large tyre-well makes the rim and tyre combo look way undersized – we reckon a thicker tyre-profile will do the job at filling the gaps nicely.

Everything else is pretty much angular – the headlamps, the tail lamps and even the generously-sized wing mirrors. Driving a large MPV like the D:5 does require some getting used to, and if that’s your (or your missus’) biggest worry, fret not. The D:5 also comes with a small mirror that ensures you don’t get too close to the kerb, and sensors to keep you away from running into objects. Oh, reverse camera comes standard too.