Mitsubishi L200 review: Back for UK farmers

Before Mitsubishi withdrew from the UK market in 2021, the L200 had built up a loyal following thanks to its reputation as a dependable workhorse that was just as comfortable pulling a livestock trailer as it was heading into town.

The overhead camera view gives a clear picture of the L200's surroundings (Image: TSF)

In fact, despite being off sale for half a decade, it still ranks among Britain's best-selling pick-ups over the last 10 years.

Having recently featured Mitsubishi's return to the UK with the new Outlander SUV, we were keen to get behind the wheel of the brand's other major launch; the all-new seventh-generation L200.

Thanks to AF Noble Mitsubishi in Penicuik, The Scottish Farmer had the opportunity to test out the range-topping Barbarian to see whether it still has what it takes to compete with the likes of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max.

The L200 features a bold front end with LED lighting (Image: TSF)

A well-laid-out driving position keeps essential controls within easy reach (Image: TSF)

First impressions are positive. The new seventh-generation L200 has moved away from the softer styling of its previous models in favour of a much squarer, tougher appearance. The squared-off front end, bold grille and chunky wheel arches give it a proper workmanlike appearance, and in black, the Barbarian looked smart without being over the top.

Thankfully, the changes go much deeper than looks alone.

Power comes from a new 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel producing 201bhp and 470Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. It isn't the most powerful pick-up in the class on paper, but it never really feels like it needs to be.

Peak torque arrives from just 1500rpm, giving it plenty of pulling power for overtaking, towing or climbing steep tracks.

The driver's seat offers a comfortable position for long days behind the wheel (Image: TSF)

Around town it's easy enough to place despite its size, with light steering and good visibility helping when squeezing through villages or manoeuvring around tight yards. Out on the open road the pickup handles speed well and feels predictable when cornering. Over uneven road surfaces it still feels remarkably composed compared to some rivals.

The engine itself pulls strongly throughout the rev range. Push it hard and there's the familiar diesel growl you'd expect from a pick-up, but once cruising it quietens down nicely. The six-speed automatic isn't particularly quick, but it's smooth enough that you rarely notice it changing gears.

During our time with the truck, covering a mixture of A-roads, country back roads and motorway miles, it returned an average fuel consumption of 33.6mpg. That's almost exactly in line with Mitsubishi's official figures and a respectable return for a vehicle weighing well over two tonnes.

There is generous room in the rear of the L200 cabin (Image: TSF)

Of course, many L200s won't spend their lives on tarmac.

The Barbarian comes fitted with Mitsubishi's Super Select II four-wheel-drive system, allowing drivers to switch between rear-wheel drive, permanent four-wheel drive and locking differential modes depending on conditions. The controls are simple enough to use through a rotary dial on the centre console, and changing from two-wheel drive into four-wheel drive can even be done while moving.

The Barbarian features alloy wheels and practical side steps as standard (Image: TSF)

Although our test didn't include deep mud or heavy snow, it's easy to see why the L200 has always enjoyed such a strong reputation off-road. Ground clearance is generous, the selectable terrain modes inspire confidence and features such as hill descent control remove much of the guesswork when tackling steep slopes.

Inside the cab, Mitsubishi has taken a sensible approach.

Rather than following the trend of hiding every function inside a touchscreen, there's still a healthy number of physical buttons and rotary controls.

Heating, ventilation and drive settings are all easy to adjust without taking your eyes off the road, something that will be appreciated by anyone climbing in with muddy hands or wearing gloves.

The seats themselves proved comfortable while behind the wheel, there’s also noticeably plenty of room in the rear seating making it comfortable for passengers. It means the L200 can double up as a family vehicle.

The load bed offers plenty of space for everyday farm and work duties. (Image: TSF)

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fitted as standard and worked faultlessly throughout our test, making it easy to access navigation, music and calls.

Some of the driver assistance features can also be a little over enthusiastic. The driver attention monitor, in particular, was quick to issue warnings after simple actions such as checking mirrors or adjusting controls.

However, these systems can be altered quickly through the settings menu, although it is frustrating that the changes do not remain after the vehicle is switched off.

One of the biggest surprises is how competitively Mitsubishi has priced the new L200.

The Titan model starts from just over £36,000 excluding VAT, while the top-spec Barbarian tested here comes in at £39,995 excluding VAT.

That puts it below comparable versions of both the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, while also offering strong value against the Isuzu D-Max.

Every model comes with a five-year or 62,500-mile warranty as standard, giving buyers added confidence if they plan to keep the truck for the long term.

Overall, Mitsubishi’s return is a welcome boost for the UK pick-up market

The new L200 does not attempt to reinvent the formula. Instead, it builds on what made previous generations so popular, improving comfort, refinement and technology while keeping the toughness and practicality that rural buyers have always valued.

The rear of the L200 retains a practical design suited to working use (Image: TSF)

It remains a genuine working vehicle, with a strong 3500kg towing ability, able off-road performance, straightforward controls and improved comfort for those spending long hours behind the wheel.

One point worth noting for rural buyers is that a tow bar is not fitted as standard, meaning those who regularly tow livestock trailers, machinery or other equipment will need to budget for the additional cost of having one installed. A genuine Mitsubishi tow bar is available for £695 plus VAT.

As well as the tow bar, there are still a few areas that could be improved. The engine becomes quite vocal under acceleration and, like many newer vehicles, some of the driver assistance systems can feel intrusive due to increasingly stringent safety regulations.

The latest L200 adopts a tougher look with a bold grille design (Image: TSF)

However, these are relatively minor complaints when considered alongside the L200’s strengths.

With competitive pricing, generous equipment levels, reasonable fuel economy and a reputation already trusted by many rural buyers, Mitsubishi’s return looks like a well-judged move.

For farmers looking to replace an ageing pick-up, particularly those who have owned an L200 before, the appeal is clear.

‘Guess who’s back?’ may be a phrase better known from Eminem, but it neatly sums up Mitsubishi’s return. The L200 is back, and it feels like it never really left.