Mitsubishi L200 test drive: new rules for pickup trucks

Brutally glamorous exterior, an abundance of chrome and gloss, and a more comfortable interior than ever. Is the companion of hunters, fishermen, travelers, and other misanthropes turning into an image car for showmen?

While the pandemic was an unpleasant experience for us, it almost led to euthanasia for Mitsubishi. In 2016, Carlos Ghosn, chairman of the Renault-Nissan alliance, exposed the company for underestimating fuel consumption for the kei cars that Nissan sold under its brand. It’s not pleasant, but not fatal, right? But you need to know the methods of the «cost killer», who blew the scandal to a universal scale, bringing down the shares of the «three diamonds». After that, Nissan easily bought a controlling stake, joining the oldest Japanese automaker in the alliance.

The only positive aspect of this anschluss was that RNM became the world’s number one automaker, with total sales of —5.268 million vehicles. A year later, it was Ghosn’s turn to make excuses for chronic underreporting and falsification of stock exchange data. In 2019, all three brands reported huge losses, the inevitability of plant closures, and the dismissal of tens of thousands of employees. And that the abolition of sub-brands like Datsun and the more than 50 percent sequestration of the model range is not a panacea, but rather a delay.

It is too early to say which of the cost optimization measures allowed the alliance to survive. What is known for certain is that Mitsubishi suffered the most from the external perturbations. More precisely, as our mayor would describe the situation, «is less powerful than». RNM adopted new rules of the game with a guillotine of costs and strict zoning. Renault focused on Europe, Nissan — on the global markets of China, the United States and Japan. Mitsubishi, in addition to a part of JDM (Japan Domestic Market), got Southeast Asia, where diamonds feel most confident.

The very first Mitsubishi pickup appeared in 1946. The 744-cubic-inch air-cooled engine produced 15 horsepower and allowed it to carry one passenger and 400 kg of cargo. The name of this fruit of the love affair between a motorcycle and a construction wheelbarrow was Mizushima MVW. Why not Mitsubishi? Because the second-largest zaibatsu in Japan in 1941-1945 worked hard for the imperial army. And after the victory, the Allies broke the Mitsubishi empire into 44 pieces, one of which was Mizushima. The minute of historical opuses is over.

The picture is similar with model segregation. Mitsubishi was left with only the pickup and crossover segment. And all of its remaining passenger cars (Colt, Space Star, Mirage, Xpander) will now be just badge-marketing copies of Renault and Nissan originals. In turn, the Renault Alaskan and Nissan Navara of the next generations will be clones of the current, sixth-generation L200. This allowed «diamonds» to retain a maximum of branded features in the pickup. But everything is gradual.

Last year, the L200 celebrated a small anniversary. Over 45 years, more than 5.6 million pickups have been sold in 150 countries on all five continents. But there were also a legion of clones — Fiat Fullback, Ram 1200, Chrysler L200 Express, Dodge D-50, Plymouth Arrow Truck, etc. Yes, some of them, as they say in Galicia, went down with the bamboos. But others are still in production.

The frame of decency

Firstly, the pickup has a new spar frame that is both larger, stronger and lighter. For example, the cross-section of the spars themselves has increased by 65% at once. Thanks to the maximum use of ultra-high-strength steels, its bending rigidity has increased by 40% and torsional rigidity by 60%. The new configuration of the power structure allowed the designers to optimally place the entire transmission and chassis «livery». In short, it looks suspiciously similar to the Navarro frame, or rather to the version of it that Mercedes modified for its first and last X-Class pickup truck (2017-2020).

Thanks to a suspension with better articulation and tires that are taller than before (Yokohama Geolander G94BV 265/60R18 11OH), the geometric cross-country ability of the pickup has been improved once again. The 23-centimeter ground clearance, significant entry/ramp/exit angles (30.4/23.4/22.8 degrees), and a waterline of 60 cm multiplied by the magic of Super Select 4WD-II make off-road driving a mockery of blasphemy.

Size matters

Secondly, «Elka» has almost grown to the size of «Navari», which is being dropped. Not that the L200 is now visible on Google Map, but still. The length has increased from 5225 to 5360 mm, the width — from 1815 to 1930 mm, the height — from 1775 to 1815 mm. The wheelbase has also increased (from 3000 to 3130 mm), but it is still one of the lowest on the market — only the Toyota Hilux is smaller (3085 mm).

As before, the L200 is available in three cab configurations. Two-seater two-door Single Cab, «one and a half» Club Cab with additional space behind the seats and five-seater four-door Double Cab. The latter has traditionally dominated our market.

Goats, drums, and cement

Thirdly, the pickup has many minor updates to its previous suspension architecture (spring «double wishbone» front and leaf spring suspended solid axle at the rear). For example, the upper control arm mounts were raised by 20 mm, which automatically increased the suspension travel, the leaf springs became lighter, and the shock absorbers became more efficient.

For a long time, pickup trucks were protected from domestication by the armor of utilitarianism and the image of a hillbilly. But Hollywood has done its job, and today, yesterday’s purists are as much a feature of the metropolis as electric scooters.

But, of course, neither the bumping nor the jumping on every bump has disappeared. It’s only when you load four or five bags of cement into the back that you acquire adequate manners. Of course, the Navara’s spring rear suspension is far from perfect, but at one point the settings became clear, selected «for the load» and the drum brakes were enough. Having received the desired load, the shamrocks started working at full strength and stopped «squirming». Undoubtedly, shaking — is as much an innate property of a pickup truck as hard work. But it’s somehow more comfortable without it.

The suspension’s energy consumption is above criticism — you need to try hard to «break» it off the asphalt. In the city, the L200 will have no equal, and very soon other road users who brake in front of tram rails and speed bumps will become as annoying as those who put them there.

Full equipment

Fourth, the L200 has a new interior. It is new, not restyled or facelifted. Presentable interior, softer plastic, high-quality upholstery materials. For some reason, the engine start button has been returned to its rightful place, to the right of the steering wheel, finally cutting off the connection with the Porsche Cayenne.

The basis of the virtual dashboard — Nissan Connect, but it’s more of a «plus», too «diamonds» lagged in terms of multimedia. But support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay services is only wired, and exclusively via Type C.

I was pleased with the new seat architecture, with denser padding and an expanded range of adjustments. I would like to add a little more lateral support because in the turns the «upholstery material does not cling to the». But judging by the competitors, this is an industry-specific deformation.

An 8-inch high-resolution display is what the new rearview camera with trajectory guidance needs. Even a first-year student who has previously driven a Nissan Note can park a 5.4-meter pickup without looking through the windows and mirrors.

But the military definitely liked the wide seats, and especially the «rectangular» doorways, as they say, you can sit down with all the equipment — in armor, with unloading and AKM over your shoulder. They especially liked the plastic of the front panel «with an embossed kirk».

A young man with a lot of energy

Fifth, the pickup has a new engine. Well, as new… The 4N15 diesel engine, as old as the Japanese art of gaijin disinformation, was replaced by the equally new 4N16, familiar from the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Van, the essence of the Nissan NV350 Caravan. The same 2.4-liter «four», variable geometry turbine with MIVEC phase controllers. Power characteristics are even slightly lower: 150 hp and 330 Nm in the base setting, 184 hp and 430 Nm — in the intermediate setting, and 204 hp and 470 Nm — in the top setting. But the latter version is not about us. The tractor-like rattle of a diesel engine with fuel equipment that rattles around just like the fifth generation. But this is the first L200 that does not transmit vibration to the steering wheel rim and gear lever.

An electric L200 is still on the cards. This time for 2026.

Arrow to the right «two hundred»

Transmissions of the L200 are inherited from the previous generation: 6-speed automatic and manual (now with cable drive). Despite the exterior and interior glamorous tilt, the L200 didn’t get anything more advanced and modern. Although the Pajero Sport’s 8-speed Aisin engine and the NP300 Navara’s 7-speed Jatco are both very much in line with the requirements.

Undoubtedly, diesel engines with torque converters are hard to get along in K4 (pickup class), because pickups are originally designed for cargo transportation, that is, work at «handle». But Nissan managed to put a horse and a shivering doe in one cart. No matter what Ivan Mazepa said in verse in his poem «Poltava».

A snail’s race? There was a whole chapter in the history of the L200 dedicated to sporting success. Thanks to the significant unification with the Pajero and Pajero Sport, the pickup trucks have also become the object of close attention of off-road racers and teams. L200s prepared by Ralliart’s in-house sports department as well as private ateliers such as Faster have collected an impressive collection of awards. One of these 400-horsepower turbo monsters was used by Vadim Nesterchuk from Kyiv to race in the most prestigious rally races on the planet.

What’s surprising is that with the ballast in the body, the pickup hasn’t lost any acceleration dynamics or gained any consumption, consuming the same 10 liters/100 kilometers in traffic. In the metropolis, it drives on par with budget small cars, and in the countryside, it confidently overtakes trucks. But no more than that — overtaking at speeds over 130 km/h is difficult for the pickup, even in Sport Mode. In addition, in response to a kickdown, the INVECS II electronics are not always willing to downshift two or three gears.

Driving fast is difficult for both him and me. Due to the streamlined design a la Geländewagen (the windshield is now installed closer to the vertical), the pickup at some point seems to rest against an imaginary wall, and consumption increases rather than acceleration. Plus, the wind howling in the mirror area becomes unbearable.

This was not the case under Ghosn! Constant changes in regulations plus chronic financial problems at Mitsubishi itself led to the curtailment of racing programs and the closure of Ralliart in 2010. And yet miracles do happen. Now, with the guillotine of cost sequestration hanging over the «diamonds» sword of Damocles, Ralliart has been … revived. Albeit only as a sub-brand of body kits and decals for Thai 4x4s. But at first glance, everything looks great: full-fledged snorkels, arches behind the cab, tires with developed traction on 18-inch wheels, and lowered suspensions. But the «decor» — package is a tricky one because in addition to the grille, wheels, antenna, mirror housings, and door handles, the headlights are going to be blackened. Initially, the Ralliart versions will be exclusively rear-wheel drive and equipped with a five-speed manual transmission.

Let’s rock this hole!

Sixthly, the L200 has a more advanced transmission with the sacred for every «minivan» name Super Select 4WD-II, which replaced Easy Select. The «workhorse» pickup has rear-wheel drive, the middle — has part-time all-wheel drive with a hard connection, and the top model has full-fledged on-demand full-time. Moreover, you can switch between all available modes (2H, 4H, 4HLc and 4LLc) at speeds up to 100 km/h.

The number of off-road presets has also increased dramatically. Now all all-wheel drive modes have «gravel» and «snow», 2H — «eco», 4HLc — «mud» and «sand», 4LLc — «rock». And this is not a soundtrack. The best part is that all L200s on our market are equipped with «superselect». I can’t wait for winter to compare driving in snowdrifts on the lowered row and in Snow — mode — snowfall in winter is still a novelty for our mayor.

Another name that caresses the ears of the «mycelium» is the Active Yaw Control system, which turned the Pajero Evo and Lancer Evo into super controllable cars. However, in our case, the AYC functionality is reduced to the technology of braking the inner steering wheel to reduce the turning radius. But this is still enough. So now the L200 allows you to get the driver’s endorphins not only on deep off-road.

If the appearance of AYC is a pleasant surprise, then replacing the hydraulic power steering with electric power steering is long overdue. But it’s not about the lack of performance of «hydraulics» in parking modes, but about access to a whole range of assistants, including adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist. Unfortunately, «electric» — is the fate of the top-end version, while exceptional hydropowered versions will be coming to us from Thailand.

Image cars for showmen

And finally, about the exterior. After all, since the first pickups, it was believed that the exterior of such utilitarian vehicles was the last thing to be considered. But this was true as long as pickups remained the domain of farmers, hunters, fishermen, travelers, and other misanthropes. But now it’s the turn of those who are left without normal SUVs, and for fans of American Style. It is for them that the L200 has a new, emphatically brutal appearance.

From now on, no more experiments with bionics and plastic — only arrays of architectural volumes and the square-nested method. Clearly defined cheekbones, many planes and faces. But rather unexpected and unusual than tasteless. Nevertheless, the designers simultaneously brought the appearance of the «two hundred» to a common corporate denominator, plus achieved a healthy balance between the front and rear parts. Which is a rare thing for pickups. The main thing is that over time, all these design delights do not become an end in themselves. Otherwise, pickups will suffer the fate of SUVs, which in just 10 years have turned from conquerors of the elements into urban party cars.

PROS: up-to-date appearance, comfortable and spacious interior, off-road capabilities, cargo capacity.

CONS: price, outdated engine and torque converter, stiff suspension when unloaded, and unequipped luggage compartment floor.

Technical characteristics of Mitsubishi L200 2.4 Ultimate AT

Body, type	DublCab pickup truck
Dimensions (LxWxH), mm	5320/1865/1795
Wheelbase, mm	3 130
Declared ground clearance, mm	222
Engine	turbo diesel 2.4 MIVEC(4N16)
Power, hp.	184
Torque, Nm	430 (2250-2500 rpm)
Turbocharger	turbocharger
CHECKPOINT	Automatic, 6 gears
Type of drive	multi-mode Super Select 4WD
Front suspension	independent, two-lever stabilizer for lateral stability
Rear suspension	dependent (non-separable bridge) on elliptical springs
Curb weight, kg	1 970
Maximum load, kg	1 030
Permissible gross weight, kg	3 000
Maximum trailer weight	3500
Cargo compartment length, mm	1 555
Cargo compartment width, mm	1 545
Depth of load bounce, mm	525
Dynamics 0-100, s	—
Maximum speed, km/h	177
Fuel consumption, l (mixed)	8,3
Cost, UAH	1 683 000
The cost of the test car, UAH	1 960 000
Competitors	VW Amarok
	Toyota Hilux
	Ford Ranger
	Peugeot Landtrack