Long-term test review: Mitsubishi L200 ~ station of gear

Mitsubishi L200 long-term test - first report header

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4 Jan, 2017 11:15am Kim Adams

First report: we put award-winning Mitsubishi L200 pick-up through its paces as it joins fleet

Mileage: 355
Economy: 24.8mpg

The rise of the pick-up may be helped by the tax breaks for company car users, but when we collected the keys for the latest addition to our fleet, the last thing on our mind was the bottom line.

The Mitsubishi L200 is big, and its sheer size is exaggerated by the optional GST Plus Hardtop (£1,860 fitted). Sales executive Paul Dray at Mitsubishi dealer Duxford Motor Group, near Cambridge, is a pick-up fan – as are most of his colleagues – and was quick to show us its virtues as we took delivery.

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Mitsubishi L200 long-term test - dealership

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None of the things Paul talked us through was news to us, of course, as the Mitsubishi has been crowned Auto Express’s Best Pick-up for two years in a row. But it was good to hear that this top-spec Barbarian model has Trailer Stability Assist, which uses the ESC to prevent snaking, as towing will be a key part of its time on our fleet. The rear view camera is a big help, too; it means you can easily line up the L200’s tow ball and is a big help when you need to hitch up solo.

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The impression of size diminishes once you climb up into the driver’s seat. Plus, the Mitsubishi is loaded with features you’d expect to see on a large SUV. DAB, Bluetooth and sat-nav are all standard, while our car also comes with heated electric seats.

The comparison with large SUVs goes further, thanks to that GST Plus Hardtop. This not only tested the L200’s versatility, but still took advantage of the pick-up’s tax breaks, because all commercial vehicles attract a flat Benefit in Kind figure of £3,170.

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Mitsubishi L200 long-term test - parking

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As the hardtop-covered load bay is separate to the passenger cab, you don’t feel as bad about cramming it with gear, and I’m happy to report that the L200 can swallow loads of kit for testing to help in my role as Auto Express products editor. Yet equally, at weekends, it can store spare wheels when I’m heading to an event with my rally car.

On the move, I’ve been impressed with the ride. I feared it might be a bit harsh due to the suspension set-up required for the Mitsubishi to achieve its tax-focused 1,000kg-plus payload. Yes, potholes can deliver a shudder, but generally, the truck soaks up bumps well and there’s none of the constant choppy bouncing we’ve felt in some rivals.

Maintaining the SUV similarities, we’ve also gone for the auto box. It’s only a five-speed, but it’s smooth and can be shifted manually with the steering paddles, which helps when towing. In practice, it rarely gets caught out and works well with the relatively refined 178bhp 2.4-litre turbodiesel.

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Mitsubishi L200 long-term test - lane departure warning

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My initial impressions of the L200 are positive, as you’d expect from an award winner. But I still have a few niggles. The optional load-bed liner is very slippery, so shopping ends up against the bulkhead. Retrieving it involves sitting on the tailgate and lying full-length to grab your bags.

The biggest irritation, though, is more tech related. The lane departure warning is overly sensitive and gives frequent alerts, particularly when driving along winding country roads. So firing up the truck has become a two-step process – hit the starter, then reach down to turn off the lane departure warning switch. Still, these are just minor gripes on what’s already shaping up to be one of the most popular models on our fleet.

*Insurance quote (below) provided by AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old living in Banbury, Oxon, with three points.

I might only be a few hundred miles into my time with the L200, but it’s easy to see why it’s our reigning Best Pick-up. It’s also clear why so many company car drivers are picking this commercial vehicle, as the compromises are nowhere as big as you might think.

Model: Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian Double Cab Automatic
On fleet since: November 2016
Price new: £30,839
Engine/torque: 2.4-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 178bhp
CO2/tax: 196g/km/£270

Options: Tow bar with 13-pin electrics (£445 fitted), GST Plus Hardtop (£1,860 fitted), under rail bed liner (£240 fitted), rear parking sensors (£250 fitted)
Insurance*: Group: 13/Quote: £805
Mileage: 355
Economy: 24.8mpg
Any problems?: None so far

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