TEST DRIVE: Mitsubishi L200 Warrior
Pick-up trucks have enjoyed happy times over the past decade. Sales of trucks have soared since people decided their hulking great frames and outdoorsy, masculine image would add an extra tonne of grit to the driveway. They also come under the tax umbrella of ‘light commercial vehicle’, so offer an apparently practical solution for people looking to combine their work and family transport.
EPA decided to see if the Mitsubishi L200 Warrior could live up to its commercial vehicle credentials and be
genuinely considered an option for someone looking to merge their van transport with their saloon.
When it arrived, the L200’s main weapon was immediately obvious. It does look cracking, with a perfect mix of aggressive lines and muscular curves. And when these brutish looks are on a vehicle the size of the Mitsubishi, the overall effect is very impressive. It certainly gives the impression that it’s designed to be used as a work tool, ideally for a job involving life-threatening situations and feats of brawny heroism.
The cabin is simple though there’s a little too much emphasis on grey plastic, but it feels quite solid and the aesthetic is unlikely to offend many people. The back seat area is as spacious as you would expect from a decent sized family saloon car with a useable third central seat. It’s airy and comfortable, but perhaps not as rugged as the exterior might suggest.
On the road, the L200 reminds you that it is not a family saloon. That is to be expected from a truck that weighs as much as a bun-fed herd of elephants. First gear ends quite abruptly but once you’re in second and momentum has been built up, the truck moves along quite happily. The gearshift also has a long travel making it very similar to driving a normal van as does the lofty position.
The main concern that will go through a potential buyer’s head when considering the L200 as a vehicle for
work, is whether the load space is going to be sufficient. Although the cargo bed is designed to be large enough to contain a Euro palette and the vehicle can shift a one tonne payload, I felt that the model we received which was without the hard utility top over the cargo bed would struggle to carry everything an electrical engineer would need. Also, I could find no way of locking the tailgate, which would put a workman’s tools in grave danger of theft!
That said, there are plenty of options when buying an L200 so you can pick through the additional extras to see if you can create something that fits your needs. It is a comfortable and powerful tool that will certainly turn more heads than your average van and allow you to achieve those childhood dreams of driving a real version of your toy truck the same time!
Technical Data:
Price: from £16,999
0-62 mph: 14.6 s
Top Speed mph: 103
Combined mpg: 32.8
Power bhp: 134
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