Skip advert
Advertisement

Mitsubishi L200 (2005-2015) - Engines, drive & performance

The Mitsubishi L200 pickup has switchable four-wheel drive to reduce cabin noise on long journeys

Carbuyer Rating

2.3 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Engines, drive & performance Rating

1.8 out of 5

Modern SUV owners will feel at home behind the wheel of the Mitsubishi L200. Its engines are reasonably smooth around town, but they do start to become slightly gruff and noisy at speed, so don't think of it as a motorway car. Handling is pretty secure and impressive for a vehicle in this class, but the L200 still won't please keen drivers due to its soft suspension and high ride height – being as big as it is, the L200 does tend to roll and bump around a bit, but at the same time it isn’t uncomfortable.

The four-wheel-drive system can be switched off to run in two-wheel-drive mode, saving fuel when you don't need the extra grip provided by all four wheels working at once. There's also an optional low-range mode on the gearbox. This engages lower gears to help with serious off-roading or if you're trying to scale a particularly steep hill with a heavy load.

Mitsubishi L200 diesel engines

You're limited to diesel engines only with the Mitsubishi L200, which isn't surprising, because petrols wouldn't be as economical or have as much mid-range pulling power in such a big, heavy vehicle.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There's only one 2.5-litre diesel engine, too, but it's available with two different power outputs – 134 or 175bhp. Again, the L200's size and weight means it could never be considered a fast car and the less powerful version will cover 0-62mph in either 15 or 15.2 seconds depending on the exact spec, but it's worth remembering that it's also the most economical in the range.

The more powerful 178bhp version is a little quicker, but not by a huge amount. When fitted with an automatic transmission, it'll take 13 seconds to do 0-62mph. The 178bhp manual is the fastest of the lot, taking 12.1 seconds, which is reasonable when you consider the Mitsubishi's size and what it's likely to be used for.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV
Vauxhall Grandland front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
9 Oct 2024

Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024