Review of the new Mitsubishi L200 range

Mitsubishi's L200 pick-up has a rich history in the UK pick-up market, it was mopping up over 45% of total sales in its 2003 heyday. Today's curvier version must face far stiffer competition from rival products, hence its Japanese marque's continual attempts to improve it. The latest models move the game on again, Mitsubishi offering a high specification and a generous helping of flash for the cash.

It would be no exaggeration to say that Mitsubishi had much to do with the pick-up's meteoric rise to prominence on these shores. Sales in a sector dominated by their L200 grew by 347% in the six years leading up to the end of 2004. That pace of growth subsequently tailed off but not before it caught the attention on other manufacturers, encouraging them to take the pick-up market more seriously.

Mitsubishi's innovation was focusing on the pick-up truck as a leisure vehicle as well as a working one. The tax advantages accrued by people using one for family duties and as a company car proved highly attractive and Mitsubishi's chrome tinged L200 double cabs had the practicality and the attitude for this varied role.

Today, pick-up buyers have more options than ever, whether they're after a rugged workhorse or leather and chrome clad lifestyle model with a macho title emblazoned on its flank. As well as Mitsubishi's arch rivals Toyota and Nissan, brands like Ford, Mazda, Isuzu and even Volkswagen will sell you a truck nowadays. The L200 has a challenge on but Mitsubishi is confident it can win out.

".it has a distinct advantage with its curvy lines and clever marketing"

Whichever L200 model you choose, and there are quite a few of them, there's a 2.5-litre common-rail injection diesel engine up front doing the hard work. In standard form, this engine turns in a healthy 134bhp and torque of 314Nm at 2,000rpm but a high power option is also available that tickles the output up to a macho 175bhp with 400Nm at 2,000rpm in manual form. This latter unit is capable of hitting 62mph from standstill in 12.1s before rumbling on to a 111mph top speed. The less powerful L200s take 15s to reach 62mph and will eventually attain 103mph. The five-speed manual gearbox comes as standard but a five-speed automatic is also offered that features a Sport mode with more aggressive shift mapping.

The L200 rides on a no-nonsense ladder frame chassis with multi-link front suspension and heavy duty leaf springs at the rear. It's the standard set-up in the pick-up world and what it lacks in finesse on the tarmac it makes up for in strength and ability in the rough. Pick-up ride quality always leaves something to be desired compared to 4x4 passenger cars but the L200 doesn't do too badly. It's not the best UK-market pick-up to drive but it is one of the most manoeuvrable with a tight 5.9m turning circle.

Some pick-ups have entry-level front-wheel-drive versions but not the L200. Whether it's the Easy Select 4WD system on the entry-level models or the Super Select 4WD set-up on the range-topping versions, all have all-wheel-drive. Easy Select models should be run in 2WD mode in normal conditions with a locked 4WD mode selectable on low friction surfaces.

The Super Select is an advanced full time 4x4 set-up similar to that found in Mitsubishi's Shogun. It allows the L200 to be driven in 2WD or fulltime 4WD mode on the road without the excessive wear and tear suffered by part time systems as a result of transmission wind-up. In slippery off-road situations, a further 4WD mode can be selected which maximises traction by locking the centre differential. Both of the systems are operated by the traditional and rather clunky lever sited alongside the gear stick which seems slightly dated when compared to the dash-mounted dials used by rival manufacturers.

Curves are not things we're used to seeing on pick-up trucks but the L200 is smothered in them. The familiar Mitsubishi front end is softened with a thick, moulded bumper and a thin slash across the nose housing grille and headlamps. The rear edge of the cab curls down and around to join the sills, while the liquid lines of the tailgate and windows are a world away from those on the L200's boxy rivals. There's just as much effort been made inside, the lines of the dash arching to mimic those of the bodywork but the quality of the plastics isn't great and there's the impression that the shiny surfaces might not stand up to heavy use very well.

There are three basic bodystyles to mull over. The single cab is reserved very much for businesses that need a proper old school working pick-up. Its traditional two seats and extensive 2,220mm load length mean it prioritises cargo over cabin and it's only offered in the base trims. The second option is the Club cab. This is for single cab customers who might occasionally need to transport more than one passenger. It offers a 1,805mm load length with additional capacity behind the cabin's front seats for secure storage or to seat a couple of small ones.

Most L200 customers opt for a double cab body, a variant offered in any trim level you like. This is a four-door five-seater model with a decent amount of legroom for the rear passengers and seat backs angled at a comfortable 25 degrees. There has to be a compromise for this extra passenger space and it comes in the shape of a modest 1,325mm load length in standard guise. The solution is the Long Bed version of this model with an extra 18cms of load length. Whichever L200 bodystyle you choose, it will have a 1,085mm load width, a capacity to carry in excess of 1,000kg and a 2,700kg braked trailer towing limit.

It can more than hold its own in terms of road presence but the L200 is actually a little shorter and narrower than many of the modern pick-up crop. This helps with manoeuvrability but what about carrying capacity? All models can accommodate a Europallet and the tailgate can be lowered through 180 degrees so it's out of the way for forklift loading. The cargo area itself is galvanised steel and double walled to take the knocks while Mitsubishi offers a wide range of load covers to help protect cargo from the elements.

Running costs should be reasonable but a 4x4 vehicle of the L200's size is never going to be light on fuel. The less powerful engine returns 35mpg on the combined cycle with emissions of 215g/km. Go for the high powered model and economy drops to 30mpg with emissions of 248g/km. Service intervals are set at 12,500 miles and there's a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.

The L200 trim level range reflects its goal of catering for business and private buyers. You have 4Work models at the base of the range equipped only with the basics. That means CD stereo, steel wheels, and the basic Easy Select 4x4 system. 4Life is a little plusher with air-conditioning, electric windows and keyless entry but still has the utilitarian feel. Beyond that, we reach the high series L200s, double cab versions dubbed Warrior and Barbarian. These are the bigger sellers and the models that really crossover between business and pleasure usage.

All of the high series L200 models feature the M-ASTC traction and stability control system as standard which is a really useful addition. The Warrior also features 17" alloy wheels, body-coloured wheel-arches, cruise control and climate control. The Barbarian is actually rather civilised, adding a colour screen satellite navigation system, a reversing camera, full leather trim and numerous styling accessories.

Competition is fiercer than ever in the UK pick-up sector but Mitsubishi's L200 is competitive with the best models out there in most of the key areas. At the lifestyle-orientated end of the market where image and styling are so important, it has a distinct advantage with its curvy lines and clever marketing. Interior quality could be better but this shortcoming is partly masked by the high equipment levels and being smaller than many rivals aids manoeuvrability. A wide range mixing affordable workhorse models and plush range toppers will help, as will the thousands of pick-up buyers out there who have owned L200s in the past.