Mitsubishi L200 long-term test review: report 4

The car Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian X Double Cab Run by Max Edleston, junior photographer

Why it’s here To see if a pick-up truck can be as comfortable and practical for daily life as a large SUV

Needs to Offer all the space that a What Car? photographer might need, be great for long-distance trips and off-road driving, and function as a mobile office

Mileage 2023 List price £32,525 Price as tested £41,317 Test economy 31.4mpg Official economy 36.2mpg

6 November 2020 – From the office...

Now more than ever, my car is my office, and that means that whether I’m halfway up a mountain or trying to get home after a long day shooting, I need to feel relaxed, calm and somewhat at home in my Mitsubishi L200.

In reality, that means I need to be able to take phone calls on the move, and this requires an infotainment system that’s easy to get along. Broad rear seats are a must, too, so I have somewhere comfy to edit photos and as much space for my camera gear as possible. And after more than 2000 miles spent in my L200, it’s coming up with more pros than cons.

Let’s start with the seats, which are trimmed with a mixture of leather and Alcantara suede. They look great and provide plenty of comfort and support, which means no back-ache for me on long drives and also that I don’t slide around in my seat through corners. It also helps that the L200’s driving position suits me well, with lots of visibility, an upright position and pedals, wheel and seat all in alignment. 

I have also been impressed with the amount of kit that comes as standard on Barbarian X editions of the L200. With a 12V socket, two USB ports and even a HDMI port on the centre console alone, I have multiple ways to charge all of my gear, plus multiple mobile phones. I’ve not found anything to plug into the HDMI port yet, but my Xbox could be a likely candidate for passengers to use on longer trips.

The L200’s own infotainment system is proving useful, too. It comes with a DAB radio but doesn’t incorporate sat-nav, but I’ve solved the latter issue by connecting my phone instead – doing so is now becoming simply part of the process of turning my car on. Connecting via Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto if you have a non-Apple phone) means I can use Google Maps through the car’s screen, as well as staying connected to my colleagues. 

However, I’m finding the same issue that I reported in my previous Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross family SUV some time ago; the volume control is touch-sensitive, and when you’re halfway along a muddy track and trying to turn the call volume up so you can hear directions from the person you’re supposed to be meeting, it’s less than ideal to use. In fact, trying to change the volume in these circumstances is like trying to throw a bullseye at a dartboard whilst blindfolded. Oh what I wouldn’t give for a traditional volume knob. At least I can use the physical controls on the steering wheel as a back-up.

Although the L200’s interior has a few spots of luxury, it feels very utilitarian, and in my mind that’s as it should be. At the end of a long day I’ve never been worried about leaving a mark somewhere, as I might have been in a luxury car. Instead, the hard plastics that form much of the interior are hard-wearing and feel built to last. They simply get the job done, and I like that.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Read more on our long-term Mitsubishi L200 >>

Read about more long-term test cars >>