2015 Mitsubishi L200 DI-D Warrior UK first drive

What is stereotypically pick-up-like is the ride. With a solid chassis, a live rear axle and leaf springs, plus a suspension set-up that’s designed to deal with a hefty payload, it’s bouncy to say the least. Drive down a rough country road and it can feel akin to a pogo-stick. On smoother roads and at lower speeds it’s perfectly tolerable, though, and you have to temper the unladen complaints with the fact that this is a working vehicle at heart and it is set up as such.

If you’ve driven any relatively recent diesel hatchback recently, then the L200’s gruff engine may come as a surprise. It's more audible nature is no doubt a side effect of its all-aluminium construction. That said, the noise does settle down in steady-state cruising conditions.

The turbocharged 2.4-litre diesel produces its peak of 178bhp at 3500rpm, and it’s at this point that you’re advised to change up as power fades away quickly thereafter. That said, the engine propels the L200 down the road with conviction, and while the motor might sound like it's got little in the way of an effective rev range, it pulls eagerly – even in taller gears – from as little as 800rpm. 

This pulling power, in conjunction with sensibly spread gear ratios, helps cut down on excessive gear changes. The six-speed manual has quite long throws but the gate is snappy and precise and mis-shifts rare as a result. Settle into sixth on the motorway and you’ll find the engine turns a placid 1800rpm at 70mph, too, boosting economy and cutting noise. During our test the L200 returned a decent 30.1mpg, granting it a range of just under 500 miles on a full tank. Mitsubishi's claimed 42.8mpg would result in a range of some 700 miles.

We tested an L200 fitted with off-road tyres in some pretty arduous conditions and it dealt with everything thrown at it with aplomb, as you’d hope. An anti-stall feature means it’ll ascend steep slopes without any throttle input from the driver, while decent engine braking and a short first gear means the lack of an electronic hill descent control isn’t a problem. The 4WD system offers up a locked centre differential mode, which is ideal for rougher terrain, as well as a low-range mode for heavy-duty conditions.

Where the L200 does better than its rivals off-road, however, is with regards to its turning circle. It’ll swing around in 5.9m, compared to a Hilux’s 6.2m, and that gives the little extra bit of clearance you need to tip-toe around obstacles. Visibility is good, too, and it’s easy to judge where the corners of the Mitsubishi are, in part thanks to large door mirrors. 

Inside, it’s a pretty conventional affair. The seats are comfortable, there’s a decent enough range of adjustment – including rise and reach for the steering column – and plenty of room. The instruments are all clear, the switchgear easy to identify and there’s plenty of storage points. There’s room enough in the back for six-footers, and space for three adults abreast, while grab handles and a central armrest mean there’s enough for passengers to brace themselves with should the going get rough. You can tip the rear bench forwards, too, exposing a storage area. It’s ideal for keeping valuables or tools out of sight.  

Kit levels are excellent. This ‘Warrior’ edition's features include electric driver’s seat adjustment, sat-nav, a rear-view camera, bi-xenon lights, cruise control, dual-zone climate, DAB, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, rain and dusk sensors and lane departure warning. In this respect it compares well to many conventional mainstream SUV offerings. You get plenty of safety kit, too, including stability control, seven airbags and trailer stability assist.

More pertinently, those looking to use the L200 as a working vehicle should find the L200 more than capable of meeting their demands. The load bay will take a Euro pallet and withstand up to 1040kg, while the grooved cargo bed make it easier to unload or partition. This L200’s combined towing and load weight is a substantial 4.090 tonnes, a figure higher than the likes of the Volkswagen Amarok, Isuzu D-Max and Toyota Hilux. 

Business and private buyers alike will benefit from a five-year/62,500-mile warranty, a 12-year anti-corrosion perforation warranty and a three-year pan-European roadside and home start assistance package. Service intervals are every 12,500 miles or 12 months, whichever is sooner, which should prove tolerable for most.