Mitsubishi L200 Reviews
Mitsubishi L200. 4Life adds power windows, manual air con, keyless entry and central locking. Warrior throws in rear electric glass window and climate control. Animal gains sat-nav, CD autochanger and Animal graphics while Elegance steps-up with DVD sat-nav, leather, and powered and heated seats. Driving position feels more car-like, driving wheel is tilt-adjustable and the whole interior has more of a quality feel. Double cabs are more spacious than its predecessor especially in the rear.
There’s the option of a four-speed auto on the Warrior, Animal and Elegance models while the Animal gets the optional power boost of 26bhp to 160bhp as standard. The five-speed gearbox requires a firm action, has a long travel, and makes the most of the engine’s power.
Driving
The Mitsubishi L200 has old-fashioned leaf spring suspension at the rear, enabling very heavy loads to be carried. The 2.5-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine produces 134bhp, and is smooth and torquey, if a little unrefined. The range-topping Warrior even comes with a Ralliart engine power upgrade - available as an option on other versions - which pushes power up to 165bhp. Rivals include the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Isuzu Rodeo and Ford Ranger.
Owning
The "Mitsubishi L200" combines four-door SUV practicality with a huge, versatile rear pick-up deck.
Pick-up market
With a possible green shoots of growth starting to appear in the new vehicle market Mitsubishi have added to their already comprehensive range of double cab pickups with Long Bed versions which have 1,510mm of load length at the rear an increase of 180mm – roughly seven inches.
L200 Long Bed
The Mitsubishi L200 Long Bed is available with 4Work, 4Life, Warrior and Animal levels of specification covering most needs. Long Bed models range in price, including VAT, from £17,536 to £25,816 and running costs are reasonable for a 4x4 heavyweight vehicle of this type because customers can take the Mitsubishi Service Plan option which covers three-years/37,000 miles and costs £395 plus VAT.
Warrior specification for fixtures and fittings includes electrically operated windows and door mirrors, 17-inch alloys, traction control, cruise control, climate control, leather steering wheel, a good sound system with multi speakers and rear chrome bar as a bumper.
My test vehicle also had the full leather upholstery treatment and weighed in at £22,826 including VAT but not including the £185 commercial vehicle rate VED road tax.
Performance and driving
Unladen with the vehicle in rear wheel drive mode, the tail is very prone to wheel spin and the rear end sliding out on corners and roundabouts in damp weather. The ‘super select’ system allows for high ratio two and four wheel drive, differential lock and low ratio four wheel drive. With an overall length of 5,180mm, width of 1,800mm and a height of 1,780mm the L200 Long Bed is a huge vehicle to park, spaces are just not that big so I would recommend optional front and rear parking sensors are fitted.
The latest L200 Long Bed looks better balanced thanks to the extra load bed length but in Warrior specification it is very much a workhorse dressed up as a thoroughbred.
Mitsubishi L200
