- Mitsubishi has refreshed the Minicab Truck for Japan.
- It’s a sibling to the Suzuki, Nissan, and Mazda kei trucks.
- For 2026, it gains a redesigned front end and new safety tech.
America might be locked in an arms race of ever-larger pickups, but Japan is still perfectly content with its kei-sized champions. The pint-sized truck craze rolls on with the facelifted Mitsubishi Minicab Truck, following the lead of its closely related siblings, the Suzuki Carry, Nissan Clipper Truck, and Mazda Scrum Truck.
The fourth member of the quartet completes the set with virtually identical styling, with the only real difference being the Mitsubishi badge on the nose and steering wheel. That means new headlights, a split grille, and a revised bumper intake, all of which sharpen up the look compared to the outgoing model.
More: Versa Is Back, But Not How You Remember It And Definitely Not From Nissan
The rest of the 3,395 mm (133.7 inches) long body carries over unchanged, complete with its single-cab layout, 12-inch steel wheels, and detachable dropside bed. The range-topping G trim adds fog lights and chrome door handles, while dark-tinted LED headlights come as standard across the lineup.
The update makes the tiny workhorse compatible with the latest safety regulations in Japan, which was the whole point of the facelift.
To do that, Mitsubishi has fitted an updated Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system with pedestrian detection, along with Lane Departure Prevention, High Beam Assist, Sign Recognition, and a False Start prevention system. The latter helps stop the truck from lurching forward if the driver presses the accelerator instead of the brake.
More: For $8,500, Nissan Will Sell You A Kei Truck That Still Thinks It’s The ’90s
Inside, the two-seater cabin skips a full infotainment setup, though a radio is available from the mid-spec trim. You still get a digital instrument cluster, manual A/C controls, a sliding driver’s seat, two USB sockets, and ample storage aimed at people who actually use their trucks for work.
Optional accessories include LED bed work lights, window visors, a roof rack, and various configurations for the rear deck.
Tiny Engine, 4WD Capabilty
The cab-over kei truck sticks with a familiar 658 cc three-cylinder engine tucked beneath the seats. It produces 50 hp (37 kW) and 59 Nm (44 lb-ft) of torque, which is just enough to haul up to 350 kg (772 lbs) of cargo without complaint. Buyers can choose between a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
More: Mazda’s Scrum Knows Just How You Like It: Slow, Boxy, And Manual
Power goes to the rear wheels as standard, or to all four through a proper 4WD system complete with a high and low-range transfer case and a Mud Escape Assist function. Paired with the truck’s low weight and short wheelbase, that setup should make it more capable off the beaten track than its modest output might suggest.
The 2026 Mitsubishi Minicab Truck is now available to order in Japan, priced between ¥1,311,200-1,677,500 (around $8,300-$10,600 at current rates) depending on configuration. It undercuts the Nissan at the entry point, though it still starts above the Mazda and Suzuki equivalents.
