Our Vans: Mitsubishi L200 2.4 MIVEC

23 March 2016: L200 Barbarian gets to work with HJ Vans

During my 10 years as a motoring journalists I've driven around 40 pick-ups.  Some of them have been great. Some not so great. One or two have been truly terrible. Yet, despite this roller coaster of automotive emotions, I still get excited when a new one arrives in the car park. Only today isn't a normal pick-up delivery. This is the new Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian. And it's going to be my daily runner for the next six months.

Given the boom of new models in 2016, there's probably has never been a better time to perform a long-term test. Everyone from Ford to Volkswagen are in the process of updating their pick-up stock and Mitsubishi has its work cutout to keep its commercial crown.

Mitsubishi has made some bold claims about this, the Series 5 L200. For starters, they say it has been subject to 330 improvements, with better handling, refinement and ride comfort. There's also a new 2.4-litre engine, which Mitsubishi says will provide 42.8mpg. Over the next six months I'll be testing all of these claims and reporting back to let you know if they're true or big, fat, fibs

The L200 is offered in a range of trim levels - 4Life, Titan, Warrior and Barbarian - but I have gone for the Barbarian, which gets - almost - all of the extras you'll ever need in a pick-up. There's navigation, a CD player, cruise control and Super Select four-wheel drive, which lets the driver activate permanent four-wheel drive while on the move.

The L200's interior is upmarket and plush, with leather seats and a large colour touchscreen

At the business end of things, the L200 gets a good-sized load bay and a maximum payload of 1045kg, accessed via a fold-down tailgate. However, I've always been worried about the security of an open-back pick-up. So, to protect the load area, I've added the optional load cover with sport bars for £1491. I know this isn't the cheapest cover in the Mitsubishi options range, but I think it provides the best practicality, with the rollback cover and the option of securing high loads to the bars when necessary.

During its time with the Powell clan the L200 will take on a variety of roles. First and foremost, it will be used as daily transport during the week. I will also use it to move my mountain bike at weekends to Thetford Forest. There might be some building work in store too, with the L200 being pressganged to transport materials for my Dad's house extension.

So far I have completed a few hundred miles and it's been smooth sailing. The interior is large and comfortable and the dashboard layout is simple to read and understand. I have also found it easy to use the navigation and programme the DAB, although the quality of the infotainment system is distinctively aftermarket.

That said, everything has been working as it should and I've no complaints so far about any aspects of the L200. One area I won't be testing is the towing ability. Most L200s will pull a braked 3.1 tonnes, but as I don't own a trailer or anything heavy to put in one, I've decided leave this aspect alone. But I will be putting the one tonne payload to task and letting you know if the L200 impresses as a workhorse. 

    Later: Roll up, roll up! »

Updates

31 August 2016: The final reckoning for the L200

It's the end of the road for the L200 Barbarian. So what better time for Dan to provide his final thoughts on Mitsubishi's pick-up.

17 August 2016: How does the L200 rate as an off-roader?

While the L200 might have its faults, its all-road credentials should never be doubted, says Dan.

3 August 2016: Candid camera

Thinking of adding parking sensors to your L200? Don't bother, the rear camera sees all.

20 July 2016: Family fortunes

Using the L200 as a family runaround might not be cheap, but it sure is fun. As Dan discovers...

6 July 2016: Attack of the clones

Things are not always what they seem in the world of pick-up trucks. As Dan finds out when he goes off to see the new Fiat Fullback.

22 June 2016: Bed bugs

With one of the smallest load beds in its class, the L200 isn't as practical as it should be, according to Dan.

8 June 2016: Show me the way to go chrome

Has the lifestyle sector made the modern pick-up soft? Dan looks for some answers with the Mitsubishi L200.

18 May 2016: Going tow-to-tow with the opposition

The L200 boasts some impressive load numbers, but how do they stack up against the competition?

4 May 2016: Will the L200 really cover 700 miles on a single tank?

Dan finds Mitsubishi fuel economy claims for the L200 to be somewhat wide of the mark. About 176 miles to be exact.

20 April 2016: What's all that bleeping noise?

The L200 might be packed with useful technology, but it doesn't have to be so bleeping vocal about it.

6 April 2016: Roll up, roll up!

Pick-ups might be big and burly, but they're have their vulnerabilities, as Dan has soon discovered...

23 March 2016: L200 Barbarian gets to work with HJ Vans

Dan takes the L200 Barbarian. How will Mitsubishi's workhorse cope with life on the HJ Vans fleet?