Mitsuoka Himiko Review: Generations, Specs, and Which Version to Buy
Overview of the Mitsuoka Himiko roadster (2008–present): one generation, 162–170 hp, RWD, with manual and automatic gearboxes, and advice on which version to choose.
The Mitsuoka Himiko is a roadster produced since 2008, offered with engines in the 162–170 hp range. Every Himiko is rear-wheel drive and comes as an open two-door body, with a choice of manual or automatic transmission. It suits drivers who want a classically styled open car with straightforward mechanicals and a modest, usable power output.
Mitsuoka Himiko generations
1 generation (2008–present)
The first and only generation of the Mitsuoka Himiko has been in production from 2008 to the present day. It is built exclusively as a roadster with rear-wheel drive, and its engines span 162 to 170 hp. Buyers can choose between an automatic and a manual gearbox, and the lineup counts 2 modifications in total. The notable version is the Mitsuoka Himiko 2.0 MT, which pairs a 1998 cc engine with a manual transmission and delivers 170 hp — the top output in the range.
Because the model has run as a single generation since 2008, the range is unusually consistent: the body style, drivetrain layout, and power band have stayed within the same narrow window across all production years. That makes comparing individual cars simple — the meaningful differences come down to gearbox choice and the 8 hp spread between the 162 hp and 170 hp variants.
Which Mitsuoka Himiko to buy
- 2.0 MT (1 generation): the volume version of the lineup, with a 1998 cc engine producing 170 hp — the highest output offered in the Himiko range — driving the rear wheels through a manual gearbox.
Buying used is uncomplicated by the model's structure: with one generation running from 2008 to the present and only 2 modifications, there are no generation changeovers or facelift boundaries to research. A newer production year gets you the same fundamental car, so condition and specification matter more than the model year itself.
Summary
The Mitsuoka Himiko is a single-generation roadster (2008–present) with a tight 162–170 hp power range, rear-wheel drive across the board, and both manual and automatic transmissions available. The Mitsuoka Himiko 2.0 MT stands out as the pick of the range: it is the mass version and carries the top 170 hp output from its 1998 cc engine. With only 2 modifications ever offered, choosing between Himiko variants is a short exercise — decide on the gearbox, and the rest of the car is essentially the same across the lineup.