Test drive: Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian Double Cab 2.5-litre DI-D 5-speed manual

Lifestyle trucks - as they’re more fashionably called these days - are basically based on the full workhorse-truck-spec of chassis, plus torquey engine, plus usually a single cab; but in lifestyle-spec with some extra (2+2) cab space and extra (leather?) comfort, and hopefully some more toys. Or at least a better stereo. And perhaps a few bits of shiny chrome. Oh, and some bigger wheels; that would be nice. Anyway, this is the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian truck, and it’s all about the lifestyle, baby!

So, what’s the point? Well, there are the obvious hauling and towing capabilities of this sexed-up ute; it’ll fit a standard-spec EU pallet weighing a tonne out back and can haul loads of up to 2.7 tonnes. And if your speedboat is that big, life (style) really is good!

There’s a real-deal 4x4 truck chassis under that curves ‘n’ chrome bodywork that’ll laugh in the face of all but the most ridiculous of terrains, and an interior – that at this trim spec, at least – is looking like a pretty comfy place to spend some time. So, in theory, if adventures are your thing, the Barbarian could be your every day driver. 

We like a truck here at TotallyMotor – here are our VW Amarok and Mitsubishi Outlander reviews – so we were more than happy to get the hairy chest out and spend a week with a Barbarian (cue mother in law jokes!), to see if it really could cut the motoring-mustard in the real world of commuting, cruising, shopping and, dare I say it, posing. 



Test drive: Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian Double Cab

First impressions:
The L200 Barbarian could only be more conspicuous if it fell from the sky and landed in your dinner, and you’ll know immediately just by looking at these pictures whether or not you’ll be happy pulling into a packed petrol station forecourt in one. I kinda like the attention that comes with this big, brash truck. 

It’s got the tough black paint job, lots of chrome highlighting on the front grille, door mirrors, rollbars and taillights, as well as some fairly unmissable “Barbarian” graphics sides and back. It’s the most curvy Mitsi truck ever and a big departure from the box-on-box trucks of even recent years, and compared to its truckin’ competition it's the stand-out big brawler. Watch out for white van man M25 truck envy! 

At £26,938 for this very near top-spec Barbarian – or £22,449 on the VAT-ducking commercial vehicle price list – you certainly get plenty of chunky bodywork, big wheels and traffic-stomping attitude for your new truck cash. 

It’s so rugged that you’ll careless about potholes, tall curbs and sleeping policemen, and this bounce ‘n’ go all-terrain attitude is actually rather refreshing when you’re used to driving normal small cars that cringe at the sight of anything more than a mere whiff of road-lump. 



Into the interior:
The L200 received a refresh inside and out for 2010, so the Barbarian’s interior isn’t as truckie as you might expect. It’s actually got a flavour of the modern SUV about it with its upgraded, clear-to-read clocks, silver dashboard detailing and liberal use of Barbarian-branded leather throughout the crew cabin. 

There is space for four passengers but there isn’t as much as you’d get in a big saloon or indeed an SUV; space needed saving for the pallet-swallowing rear bed. However, unless you’re regularly carrying several (burly) passengers, this L200’s inner space serves a decent purpose, and while it isn’t over cluttered with endless tech-buttons, it does have the creature comforts of A/C, armrests and steering wheel controls. There’s also a sat-nav’ing Kenwood stereo with a big screen, but rather small facia-bottom buttons.

You’ll get a great view of the road ahead thanks to a lofty, off-road-ready seating position and while there was sufficient seat and steering wheel adjustment for my long frame, I would’ve felt some extra, longer lasting comfort with some seat height adjustment, as the driver’s perch is close to the cabin floor, leaving the feet feeling rather high up. The seats themselves supported with comfort enough and look pretty swanky, too. 



The drive:
Chances are, if you’re reading this big truck review, you’ll already be a fan of the rough ‘n’ ready tough-truck transport, so you’ll probably have an idea of how these ladder-framed, stiffly sprung (to carry loads), torque-laden trucks drive on the road. It’s altogether different from your passenger car experience. 

The suspension has a firm response to bumps and further to travel to soak up bigger bumps, so the Barbarian, like “real” trucks generally do, can get a bit of a bounce on, and with a fair amount of bodyroll. It’s the compromise of the toughened suspension. But get used to it and you might even like it. I do. Ploughing through potholes without a care is a liberating experience! 

The 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder, 175bhp turbo-diesel engine is packed with torque and the 5-speed manual gearbox is quick and certain to use. Once you get used to the on-road feel of a big beastie like this, the Barbarian is actually very easy and calming to drive. There’s no point in thrashing around, just let the torque waft you along with minimal revs, and this truck is actually not as wide as it looks. It’s pretty long though, so the rear may hang out of the odd parking space. 

There’s a fair bit of bucking under acceleration and braking, but again that’s the payback for long-travel suspension and off-road prowess, and while she goes and stops perfectly well; just her a little more notice than you would a much lighter, road car.  

Fuel economy is quoted at 34mpg combined and 218g/km of CO2, which is the price to pay for such a big and imposing chunk of transport, however, such is the easy torque of the engine that you’ll be rolling in top gear at 30mph before you know it. 



Ten second sum up:
The Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian is one big, handsome chunk of truck that brings a good measure of interior comfort, reasonable inner space, and plenty of gruff under-bonnet power. Tough and practical for the real world, especially if your lifestyle takes you off the beaten track, and actually a lot of fun to drive with a decent dash of pose value, too.



Prices and availability:
The L200 range starts at £16,414.80 (£13,679 CV list price) for the L200 2.5 DI-D 4WD 4Work Single Cab manual diesel, rising to £34,768.80 (£28,974 CV list price) for the top-trim L200 2.5 DI-D 4WD Walkinshaw Double Cab LB diesel. Price as tested, £26,938.80 (£22,449 CV list price), for the L200 2.5 DI-D 4WD Barbarian Double Cab LB manual diesel. Available now. 

www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk



Words & pics: Daniel Anslow

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