Mitsuoka Viewt Story Gets New Features And Updated Hybrid Models

Mitsuoka continues to occupy one of the strangest and most charming corners of the car industry. While most automakers chase futuristic lighting signatures and aggressive aero, Mitsuoka is still happily building tiny retro cars that look like they escaped from 1960s Britain. The latest example is the updated Viewt Story, which has just received a round of revisions in Japan.

Underneath, it’s still very much a Toyota Yaris. But from the outside, you’d never guess it.

The Viewt Story keeps its delightfully old-school styling inspired by the classic Jaguar Mk2, complete with round headlights, chrome bumpers, and a tall, vintage-style grille. For 2026, Mitsuoka has mostly left the design alone, though buyers now get a revised palette of 15 exterior colors to choose from.

Inside, the updates are more noticeable. The cabin gains a larger 8-inch infotainment screen and a standard rearview camera, while hybrid models now include an electronic parking brake with auto hold. Mitsuoka also continues offering wonderfully eccentric options, including custom leather upholstery in eight different colors and something called a “special flower set” mounted beside the center console. Which honestly feels perfectly on-brand for a company like this.

The bigger change happens under the hood. Mitsuoka has dropped the tiny 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, meaning every Viewt Story now starts with Toyota’s naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine producing 118 hp. Buyers can still choose between a six-speed manual or CVT, as well as front- or all-wheel drive. There’s also a hybrid option combining a 1.5-liter engine with electric motors for a total of 114 hp.

All the retro charm comes at a price. The updated Mitsuoka Viewt Story now starts at ¥3,691,600 ($23,200), which is dramatically more expensive than the regular Toyota Yaris it’s based on. Then again, nobody buys a Mitsuoka because it makes financial sense. They buy one because nothing else on the road looks remotely like it.