Mitsubishi L200 (2019-2021) Review

This workhorse is just as tough as before, but has gained a more car-like interior, though the L200 still isn't a very comfortable pick-up

Strengths & weaknesses

  • Impressive towing and payload capacity
  • Bulletproof reliability
  • A natural off-roader
  • Heavy steering and numb handling
  • Automatic gearbox is clunky
  • Media system is still fairly basic
Mitsubishi L200 prices from £11,490.
Finance from £192.58 / month.

Mitsubishi has been manufacturing hardy pick-up trucks that will happily transport a one-tonne payload for 40 years now and its L200 has long been a favourite among farmers, builders and traders due to its impeccable reliability record and ability to traverse terrain that would make many modern 4x4s wince at the thought.

Unfortunately, the biggest downside of creating such a tough, hard-working machine is that many of the creature comforts and smooth driving characteristics of fellow road-going cars get left behind somewhat.

Mitsubishi has been relatively slow to catch on the trend for business users and company car drivers jettisoning their SUVs for pick-ups, with both groups making the most of low Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) tax and the lower VED related to commercial vehicles in this segment.

The Volkswagen Amarok, Mercedes-Benz X-Class and the latest Nissan Navara are excellent examples of this trend for more lifestyle-orientated trucks, ushering in luxurious interiors, improved ride and handling, as well as sharp exterior styling that has attracted both business users and those with a penchant for hauling jet skis, motocross bikes and bulky watersports equipment.

The previous generation L200 flirted with some additional niceties but still couldn't quite keep pace with the VW, Mercedes and Nissan offerings. However, this Series 6 builds on the impressive capability but now offers the highest levels of sophistication and refinement to date.

With a max payload of 1,080kg and a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, it remains one of the most capable machines on the market, yet the addition of revised suspension, larger brakes, improved aerodynamics - for less wind noise and greater fuel economy - and an extensive safety assist systems package means it now rides and handles with greater precision and poise than ever before.

The engine is new, too, with Mitsubishi opting to shrink it from a 2.4-litre to a 2.3-litre turbocharged all-aluminium diesel unit. It is now equipped with auto stop/start and the largest AdBlue tank on the market. Mitsubishi claims you should only need to top it up between standard service intervals.

Don’t be fooled into thinking this engine is weaker due to its downsizing, as it produces 150hp and 400Nm of torque, all 500rpm lower down the rev range when compared to the outgoing model. More importantly, fuel economy has been improved greatly, with the figure from the latest - and more realistic - WLTP test coming in at 32.1mpg for the manual version and 29.1mpg for automatics.

The exterior styling has also been thoroughly overhauled, with the 'Dynamic Shield' identity of other Mitsubishi models now featuring prominently at the front end, while slim LED headlights, squared off wheel arches and a selection of larger alloy wheels push the L200 towards the more premium pick-up players.

Potential customers will also appreciate an extensive safety suite, which now includes a Blind Spot Warning system, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Mitigation, Hill Start Assist and the popular Trailer Stability Assist from previous generations.

With prices ranging from £21,525 for the very basic 4Life Club Cab and moving up to £32,200 for the range-topping Barbarian X, there remains an L200 model for most user requirements and budgets.

Key facts

Warranty 5 year, 62,500 mile
Bed size Up to L 1,850mm W 1,470mm D 475mm
Width 1815mm
Length 5,305mm
Height 1,780mm
Tax £260 for 12 months

Best Mitsubishi L200 for...

Best for Economy – Mitsubishi L200 4Life Club Cab

This is the cheapest offering in the range and does away with most creature comforts. That said, it makes an excellent workhorse and the manual is the most efficient of the bunch.

Best for Families – Mitsubishi L200 Warrior

With plenty of standard kit and a larger double cab format, this is the model to comfortably seat a family of five, especially on those longer journeys.

Best for Performance – Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian X

It comes fitted with every conceivable toy in the Mitsubishi arsenal, including an excellent Off-Road Mode terrain selection system. Perfect for those that like to get their trucks muddy.

History

  • 1978 Mitsubishi’s first one-tonne pick-up truck makes its debut. The L200 badge would go on to sell over 4.7 million units.

  • 2015 The fifth L200 is released, boasting a new, more economical 2.4-litre diesel engine. On top of this, Mitsubishi introduced touchscreen media systems and more luxurious interiors.

  • 2019 Following a mild refresh, Mitsubishi overhauled its L200 offering to include an improved ride quality, more efficient engines and a greater suite of road-going safety features and interior niceties. 

Understanding Mitsubishi L200 names

Trim Barbarian X

Mitsubishi has altered its trim offerings for its sixth generation L200. Now customers can choose from 4Life Club Cab (the most basic in the range), Double Cab, Warrior, Barbarian and range-topping Barbarian X.

Body Style Double Cab

The Mitsubishi L200 is available as a two-door Club Cab with space for four passengers and the four-door Double Cab with four doors and space for five.

Engine 2.3-litre diesel

Just one diesel engine is offered and that is the all-new 2.3-litre turbocharged diesel with stop/start and AdBlue - both new for this generation.

Gearbox 6-speed manual

6-speed shows that the car has six gears. The entry-level model only comes with a six-speed manual, but a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifts is available on all Double Cab body styles.

Mitsubishi L200 Engines

2.3-litre turbocharged diesel

Some critics of the previous generation L200 complained about a lack of choice when it came to engines, but the Japanese marque has arguably made the current pickings even slimmer. There is just one unit with one power output available now, but its maker hopes this unit will cater for every possible use case.

The new engine is fully Euro 6d-compliant - meaning it meets the latest emissions regulations - and readily adaptable for future emissions regulations, according to the marque, while the addition of a massive AdBlue tank and auto stop/start pegs this sixth generation as the cleanest and most fuel-efficient yet.

That’s not to say it is perfect, because it still sounds very agricultural compared to rivals in this segment and its chugging note easily finds its way into the cabin both under hard acceleration and when sat at idle.

However, there are very few complaints about the way it delivers it power, with a smooth surge of acceleration through the rev range that makes it very easy to wrangle across tricky terrain and a breeze to drive out on the open road.

The six-speed automatic transmission can be a little ponderous at time, sometimes proving a bit too slow to kick down a gear or two with hard acceleration and equally lethargic to shift up through the gears when placed in its ‘manual’ transmission mode. Although this will only likely affect those that take a heavy-footed approach to daily driving.

Improved off-road modes in the Barbarian models and above make conquering tricky terrain that much easier, with options such as Sand, Gravel, Mud and Snow adjusting the throttle response and traction control system to ensure more ground is covered in a safe and efficient manner. 

But a lack of engine choice could still turn some potential punters away, with rivals such as the Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara’s diesel units offered with a selection of power outputs. Plus, the range-topping Barbarian X models cost almost as much as the Volkswagen Amarok, which has one of the finest V6 diesel engines around, which offers a massive amount of muscle, is smooth and sounds good, too.

 

Fuel

Mpg

Bhp

0 - 62mph

Top speed

2.3-litre 4WD M/T

Diesel

32.1mpg

150hp

N/A

108mph

2.3-litre 4WD A/T

Diesel

29.1mpg

150hp

N/A

106mph

Mitsubishi L200 Trims

4Life Club Cab, Double Cab, Warrior, Barbarian and Barbarian X

The range very much kicks off with a vehicle that’s designed to spend its life working, with basic 16-inch steel wheels, a manual transmission and the smallest Club Cab freeing up more space for a larger bed at the rear.

That said, it still comes with air-conditioning, electric windows and door mirrors, Bluetooth, USB and steering wheel audio controls and remote keyless entry as standard. This model even boasts an Easy Select 4WD system, which can shuffle between 2WD and 4WD at speeds of up to 62mph, which is great for road situations where the weather suddenly changes and grip is hindered.

Stepping up to Double Cab introduces four doors, making it much easier for rear passengers to get in and out of the larger rear cabin. This trim level also introduces 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and electric rear windows.

Things start to get a lot more lifestyle-centric as customers move up towards the Warrior trim level, which adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, privacy glass and garish Warrior decals.

The interior is also vastly improved, with a touchscreen media system that boasts a DAB radio, piano black and silver cabin detailing, automatic dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rear mirror.

But don’t expect Volkswagen levels of attention to detail here, as some of the surfaces remain very plasticky and the touchscreen looks and feels pretty basic. Plus, Mitsubishi is determined to stick to the oversized button configuration, which might be great for use with gloved hands, but it looks a bit naff. 

It represents good value for money though, as there is also a suite of on-road safety and convenience functions that come in to play with Warrior, including Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Mitigation, automatic headlamps and wipers, a reversing camera and front fog lamps.

Barbarian essentially adds a leather interior to the aforementioned package, as well as Hill Descent Control, heated front seats, mood lighting and an excellent spring-assisted tailgate for easy opening and closing.

Finally, range-topping Barbarian X models usher in a super safety and convenience package that includes a 360-degree camera system, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, parking sensors and a heated steering wheel.

Also expect plenty of Barbarian X decals and motifs dotted around the interior and exterior, as well as bespoke leather seats and illuminated door guards. A far cry from the workhorse that introduces the range.

Mitsubishi L200 Reliability and warranty

The Mitsubishi L200 has always stood for reliability and sturdiness but this latest model has been reinforced in all of the appropriate places to ensure it goes further, pulls more and lasts longer than ever before.

A five-year warranty from Mitsubishi is also generous but bear in mind that this only covers up to 62,500-miles, which could prove problematic for those looking to use their L200 for serious commutes.

Used Mitsubishi L200

The latest generation is too new to appear on the used market, but thanks to the fact that the L200 has been around for some time now, it's possible to find some absolute bargains among older models.

However, due to the tough lives these vehicles typically lead, it is worth thoroughly checking service history, mileage and condition before committing to buy.

There are plenty of used bargains on the BuyaCar website, with models ranging from just over £8,000 for a very basic 2015 Double Cab with just shy of 60,000 miles on the clock, to a gloriously rugged Series 5 Barbarian model with chunky tyres and a mere 7,000 miles on the clock. Yours for more than £30,000.
 

Other Editions

L200 (2015 – 2019)

A trusted workhorse, Mitsubishi's latest L200 features welcome creature comforts and boasts one of the most impressive towing capabilities