Pick-up trucks can attract a wide range of potential customers. For example, on one hand
you may have someone after a rugged off-roader for pottering about their farm in, and on
the other there might be a company car buyer looking to exploit the pick-ups commercial
vehicle classification and avoid costly company car tax.
But one things for sure though, there are plenty to choose from on the market, with
the VW Amarok, the Ford Ranger and this, the Mitsubishi L200. So what of the new Series
5 L200? Well, it’s got a new more efficient engine and its interior has had quite a significant
revamp. So, is it more like a car, or more like a
van? Well, Mitsubishi would like you to think the former, which is clear when you step in
the cabin… or climb in in this case Well, as you can see, there is a handle mounted
on the A pillar to help you get in, very van-like, but once you are in here, you may be fooled
into thinking you were in an SUV with a much nicer looking dashboard layout, certainly
less dull, grey plastics than the last model. But you have still got hard wearing materials,
so the L200 should still look good after years of abuse.
Now, we do have the Barbarian trim, which is top of the range, but all models do still
come with air-con, steering-wheel mounted controls and Bluetooth. If you do go for the
Barbarian model then you get the likes of leather upholstery, sat-nav, a rear-view camera
– definitely recommended – and some rather atmospheric mood lighting.
One thing I will say though is that operating this infotainment system is a bit like venturing
down a rabbit hole as it’s very difficult to get your head around – so we definitely
recommend getting to grips with it before you set off.
Thankfully though, the cabin doesn’t disappoint with convenience, with loads of cubby holes
and plenty of adjustment in the driver’s seat.
Space in the rear is on par with what you would get in an SUV with plenty of leg room,
41mm more than the Ford Ranger in fact, and a fair amount of head room – and thanks
to the rear window being right here, you get plenty of light flooding through.
Right, what about towing? Well, the L200 has a combined carrying and towing weight of 4.1
tonnes, that equates to a braked towing limit of 3.1 tonnes – and that is class-leading.
Its load bed is also impressive, but it isn’t as big as the VW Amarok’s.
But enough about that, let’s see what its 4WD can do…
Maybe it’s better starting with what the L200 doesn’t offer, which isn’t much,
and that is Hill Descent control, something that the Amarok and Ranger do offer. Apart
from that though, the L200 is probably as close to a monster truck you can get without
crushing other cars like tin cans. The L200 incorporates the new Super Select
4WD system, which has a series of different modes and is operated by this easy to use
dial. There’s 2WD for road driving, 4WD for added grip say in the rain, 4WD Lock Mode
for uneven ground or you can stop and activate 4WD Low Range mode which maximises traction
and offers lowered gear ratios for more pulling power when tackling the likes of snow and
sand. And the traction and grip in this mode is brilliant.
To be honest, all you need to know about its off-road capabilities is that it can get you
in and out of pretty much anywhere – be it a sludgy field… or probably even a volcano.
So, it’s a Barbarian off-road, but what about when it’s on it? Well, the first thing
you will notice is the sharper steering, which of course makes it feel more like a traditional
car, and for a vehicle with such impressive towing capacity, the suspension is actually
very supple. A few things that do shout pick-up pedigree
though is its trembling gearstick, which in fairness isn’t as bad as it was in the last
model, and its long throw transmission – and that brings me to its engine. Under the bonnet
is a growling 2.4-litre turbo diesel producing 178bhp. At first this engine doesn’t seem
to offer any surplus power as you will probably be prompted to shift gear quickly due to the
sheer noise, but if you hang onto the revs for a bit, until about 2,500rpm in fact, there
is a nice pocket of power. Fuel economy wise it is 20 per cent better
than the last model, claiming an average of just under 43mpg – and that’s not totally
unrealistic either, I mean we’ve been getting around 40mpg – which makes it class-leading.
It also emits 169g/km of CO2, again, class-leading. But what’s it like when it comes to price?
Well, as it starts from just under £20,000 the Volkswagen Amarok is pretty much the only
model that is more expensive than it. But then you’ve got to consider what you are
actually getting for that starting price. But if you are after a pick-up that has the
comfort and convenience of a car but can still pull a Jekyll and Hyde and turn into the ultimate
off-road machine, then the L200 is spot on. So what do you think of the L200? Let us know
in the comments section below and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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