Mitsuoka Buddy Returns: Retro RAV4 Revival Sparks Demand

Daily Car

·

24/10/2025

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The Mitsuoka Buddy, a one-of-a-kind SUV that dresses a current Toyota RAV4 in 1970s American sheet metal, returns for 2026. Supply-chain trouble halted the project, but Mitsuoka now has fresh RAV4s on hand and will reshape each one into a boxy, chrome laden throwback. Only 150 will be built and buyers in Japan have already rushed to reserve them.

Key Takeaways

Mitsuoka will build 150 Buddy SUVs for 2026.
The donor vehicle is the previous generation Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
The body panels are replaced with retro pieces that echo 1970s American SUVs.
Work starts in May 2026; the first cars should reach owners before New Year's Day. Price opens near $47,600.
Early demand is strong showing that buyers want stand out, nostalgic designs.

A Nostalgic Makeover

Mitsuoka released the first Buddy in 2020. The windshield roof and doors stay true to the RAV4 - yet every other exterior panel is swapped. The nose carries a wide chrome grille and tall, stacked headlights that recall 1970s Chevrolets. The tail wears a custom gate, a bright bumper and vertical lights that nod to old Cadillacs.

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Design and Customization Options

Buyers pick from five paint colors. Thirty SUVs will wear the exclusive Globe One White Pearl II. Two fresh hues - Iceman Gray besides Beach Greige - join the list. The cabin keeps the RAV4 dash and controls, but new seat fabric sets it apart. A panoramic sunroof and a digital rear view mirror come on every car.

Powertrain and Performance

All 150 Buddies start life as RAV4 Hybrid X models. A 2.5-liter gasoline electric hybrid mates to an eCVT and the E-Four all-wheel-drive system. The setup balances fuel savings with all weather traction.

Availability and Pricing

Assembly begins in May 2026 and wraps by December. Mitsuoka now books orders in Japan and expects the list to fill fast. The sticker price is ¥7,260,000 - about $47,600 - well above the standard RAV4 Hybrid X cost.

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