Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 Exterior Design
The new Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 looks a lot bolder now and the company calls it the striking ‘Dynamic Shield’ design identity. Upfront, there is a generous dosage of chrome.
This, along with the slim LED headlights make the L200 Series 6 look very sporty. Mitsubishi is offering this truck with LED Daytime Running Lights as well. The fog lights and turn indicator signals are vertically placed on either side of the bumper. The fog lights are placed a little too high, and unless they are really bright, they will not serve their purpose very well. Mitsubishi said that this has been done on purpose so that it helps drivers while wading through water. It also prevents accidental damage, says the carmaker.
C-shaped chrome strips flow from the headlights and make for the fogl amp surrounding. This gives the L200 Series 6 an uncanny resemblance to the Lexus’ faces. A faux skid plate at the bottom complements the chrome garnishes in the front. Even though the design is loud, it does not look bad by any means. Everything is quite proportionate and kudos to Mitsubishi for not crossing that fine line where a vehicle goes from looking tastefully loud to gaudy.
The wheel arches are square-ish, but not very pronounced. Perhaps black cladding for the edges would have given it a slightly rough look. There is a big side step finished in chrome at the borders. The B-pillar is blackened out, and so is a part of the C-pillar. This, coupled with the rising rear window and the dark interior theme may make rear passengers feel slightly claustrophobic. The door handles and wing mirrors are also finished in chrome. I find the wing mirrors to a be a size smaller than it should have, considering this is a truck. It seems fine for a sedan or a hatch; but for a truck, I’d prefer an XL-sized wing mirror. The Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 rides on 18-inch, twin six-spoke wheels finished in silver on the majority of the trims. Full-black alloys would’ve looked so much sportier, though.
The derriere, just like the face, is quite loud. The general trend in some popular trucks is that the face is as attention-seeking as it can get, but the rear is plain Jane (read, Ram HD). I find this baffling because the design seems to fade away as you head to the back. But, that’s not the case with the Mitsubishi L200 Series 6. However, on one hand, I’m happy that the design philosophy does not discriminate between the front and the back, but on the other hand, the rear is not as smart as the face. This is as confusing for me as it is for you. The wheels eat into the truck bed significantly. There is bed lining for added grip, and the rear end of the truck bed is embossed with the ‘Mitsubishi Motors’ lettering.
The large taillamps extend to the side of the truck bed.
The chrome badges were enough to break the otherwise monotonous-looking tailgate, so, there was no need to spoil the clean look by adding the chrome strip. As for the step-up behind, it looks like an after-thought. The whole unit looks like an add-on instead of looking like a part of the truck. Perhaps, a full black unit would’ve looked better. The rear of the cab is a see-through glass, but there is no opening for a window. How tough is that to make? An opening window here would make life so much simpler in the long run. Also, did Mitsubishi forget to install a high mounted stop light at the back of the cab?
Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 Interior Design
Mitsubishi has opted for an all-black interior theme and it makes complete sense. A black cabin does not show stains and spots as much as a lighter shade cabin would. So, in a pickup truck, a dark theme is the way to go.
Even the grab handles are white units and if not maintained and cleaned well, they will be an eyesore. The dash wears a clean, simple layout. The center console is dominated by a touchscreen unit and HVAC controls. The bottom half seems cluttered with a lot of buttons in all shapes and sizes all around. AC vents on all the sides are quite large and should help in controlling the cabin temperature quickly. The gear lever’s surrounding is finished in piano black and looks premium. Behind that is the drive-configuration selector knob and a couple of cup holders. Another nice touch is a cigarette lighter which seems to have become extinct otherwise. You don’t see it in many modern cars these days.
The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and is a delight to hold. It is meaty, perfectly-sized, and it even has thumb contours. There are a lot of buttons on the steering wheel, but they are well laid-out. The paddle shifters behind the steering wheel are HUGE and feel like they can be operated even when you’re holding the wheel from the bottom. The instrument cluster is clear to read and bright enough even during sunny days, thanks to the cowl at the top. Mitsubishi has marked the red line at a conservative 4,000 rpm. Even though it’s an oil-burner, I’m sure the truck has a few more hundreds left in the tank before the gear upshifts.
It is about adequate and does not feel cramped. But, it is not spacious by any means. The four-door configuration has surely eaten up space from all corners. The seats, however, come with improved bolstering and feel a lot more comfortable than the previous iteration. Surprisingly, even the storage spots all around the cabin are on the lower side. In terms of other equipment, there is new instrumentation, including a full-color LCD display, heated steering wheel, and a rearview camera.
Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 Drivetrain and Performance
The Japanese giant is offering this engine with two transmissions. You can have it with either a six-speed manual gearbox, or a new six-speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission also comes with paddle shifters. The new engine is also in accordance with the Euro 6d emission norms. The engine now offers a fuel economy of up to 32 mpg, which will certainly make the owners happy. Mitsubishi has raised the front end of the truck by 40 mm for better on-road presence and easier maneuvering. The chassis is now stiffer and comes with new springs and dampers which should improve the overall ride and handling by a notch.
Mitsubishi has also upgraded the four-wheel-drive system by incorporating a new “Off-Road Mode” and a “Hill Descent Control” system. Larger brakes have been provided on all the four wheels on the higher trims. The company has increased its towing and payload capacities, but it has not released the figures yet. The older iteration came with a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. With these changes in place, the Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 should drive better.
It comes with Blind Spot Warning system with Lane Change Assist function, Rear Cross Traffic Alert system, Forward Collision Mitigation system, Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System, Lane Departure Warning, Mitsubishi Active Stability Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal function, and Trailer Stability Assist.
Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 Pricing
The Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 starts at £21,515 for the entry-level 4Life Club Cab model. This translates to approximately $26,150.
Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 Competition
Toyota Hilux
Mitsubishi L200’s fellow countryman, the Toyota Hilux, is its biggest rival. The Hilux has been around for 50 years now and the company knows how to keep it fresh and appealing. The truck has been tweaked to attract folks who are looking for compact SUVs and full-fledged SUVs. In terms of appearance, the Hilux looks decent, something that would age gracefully. We have seen this with the previous-gen Hilux as well. On the inside, the pickup truck is not exemplary and just about does the job. That said, the cabin is spacious and everything is ergonomically perfect.
People buy the Hilux for its bulletproof reliability. People swear by its fuss-free maintenance and that is why the truck commands such goodwill. See even the Tacoma, for instance. The latest-gen comes with a 2.4-liter diesel engine in the U.K.-spec, which makes 148 horses and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Hilux also tows the same as the L200, but here it’s across the board. Toyota offers 7,700 pounds of towing capacity on all the trims. The best part about it is that Toyota offers a 5-year/100,000 mile warranty on the Hilux. That doesn’t matter much because if maintained well, Toyota’s products can outlast their owners as well. Toyota Hilux starts at £23,090 ($28,000).
Read our full review on the 2018 Toyota Hilux.
Nissan Navara
There is something about these Japanese automakers in the States. They know exactly what the customers want and are dominating the market. The Navara has been in Nissan’s arsenal for 20-odd years and is one of its best-selling products in the U.K. On the outside, the Navara looks like nothing but a Nissan. There’s nothing extraordinary about the appearance and it would fit your bill well if you’re looking for a truck that does not draw attention.
Nissan recently downsized the engine in the Nissan Navara in the U.K. The new engine is a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder diesel mill in two different states of tune. One makes 160 horses and 313 pound-feet of torque, whereas the other one makes 187 ponies and 332 pound-feet of twist. The Nissan Navara can tow up to 7,700 pounds and comes with a payload capacity of 2,570 pounds. Just like the Hilux, even the Navara pickup comes with a 5-year/100,000 mile warranty. The Nissan Navara starts at £20,500 ($24,900).
Read our full review on the 2018 Nissan Navara.
Final Thoughts
The new Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 is a well-rounded package that will appeal to owners for domestic, as well as commercial uses. It has been doing well and the new iteration comes with a lot more improvements. This is also one of the better-looking trucks in the U.K. at this price point. If there was something that Mitsubishi could have worked on, then it has to be the interior. The cabin is alright and just about does the job, but it can definitely be improved.