L200 – Mitsubishi is back!

Having recently driven three of the latest pick-ups my previous musings as to why people, with no practical need, buy them, have been somewhat answered. Many cars are now so generic in their design, and all too often the driving experience, that pick-ups do stand out as something a bit different, more interesting and arguably more individual and stylish.

One of my recent excursions was more interesting than normal as I was driving the latest Mitsubishi L200. After leaving UK shores back in 2021 the Japanese car maker is back on our roads thanks to a well-known and very successful West Midlands importer. Mitsubishi is also strengthening its presence in Europe by partnering with Renault and their Spanish car making plant. Here in the UK the latest L200 is joined by the Outlander PHEV, of which there will be a separate review in due course.

The L200 comes in two guises – Titan and Barbarian – with commercial variants to follow. Priced from €42,846/£36,295 and €47,215/£39,995 respectively standard equipment is good with the lead-in Titan featuring adaptive cruise control, rear view camera and parking sensors, privacy glass, tyre pressure monitoring, high beam assist, 9” touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and air conditioning.

Additions in the Barbarian model include wireless phone charging, LED headlights, heated wing mirrors, a chromic rear-view mirror and unlike the Titan, which has durable rubber floor matting, the Barbarian has carpeting.

Both models have a 6-speed automatic transmission, and in the Titan ‘easy-select’ four-wheel-drive offering normal rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive high and low. The Barbarian goes further with seven off-road modes and four-wheel-drive can be used on-road, unlike the Titan where rear-wheel-drive is the only on-road option.

Even the Titan’s entry level four-wheel-drive system is impressive and things get even better when using the more sophisticated system in the Barbarian model. Serious mud plugging proved no problem, the super select four-wheel-drive has more features in its off-road armoury, a lockable centre differential and both high and low range.

From a looks point of view the L200 gets noticed, especially if finished in Yamabuki Orange, for all the right reasons and it goes back to the start of this piece. It has a character and individuality lacking in many cars of similar pricing.

It’s also worth noting that the climate, seat, 4WD and driver-assists are all controlled by actual physical switches. Hurrah! On road the 2.4-litre diesel engine has lots of pull and although it doesn’t match up to the ride, handling and refinement of a car it’s more than acceptable and its on-road sophistication will surprise many people.

Facts at a glance

• Model: Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian
• Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbo diesel developing 204PS
• Gears: 6-speed automatic with Super-Select all-wheel-drive with lockable centre differential.
• Price: €47,215/£39,995
• Performance: 180kph/111mph – 12.6 seconds to 100kph/62mph
• Economy: 8.5 l/100km 33.3 mpg weighted combined (WLTP)
• Emissions: 222 g/km

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets