Model tested: Mitsubishi L200 2.5 Di-D Warrior Double Cab Auto
Price: £17,799
Tested: August 2006
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Overall rating: 76%
Luxury pick-ups offer the versatility of a commercial vehicle with the comfort and convenience of a passenger car. The Mitsubishi L200 has dominated the UK pick-up market since 1998, and continues to sell in huge numbers.

1. Looks
Few cars divide opinion like the L200. Some love the Tonka Toy looks, while others find it menacing and ugly. The Warrior gets plenty of bling with 17-inch alloy wheels and chrome side steps, wing mirrors and roll bars.
8/10

2. Looks inside
The interior reveals its commercial vehicle roots. Bland it may be, but the plastic dash, door cards and centre console look like they'll stand up to a lot of abuse. You're not buying an L200 for sumptuous comfort - rugged charm is the order of the day.
7/10

3. Practicality
The L200 isn't as practical as we had hoped; the load bed's optional solid tonneau cover prevents tall objects being carried – and there's no obvious way to remove it.
7/10

4. Ride and Handling
Antiquated leaf-spring suspension allows the L200 to carry more than 2.3 tonnes, but does little for the handling or ride. Here more than anywhere else, the Warrior reveals its more humble underpinnings.
6/10

5. Performance
Our automatic test car seemed quicker than its 17.8 second 0-60mph dash would indicate. Only the most hardened van driver would be brave enough to verify the 103mph top speed though.
6/10

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6. Running Costs
Mitsubishi quotes 29.7mpg for our automatic Warrior, against 32.8mpg for the manual; not bad for a 1.8-tonne 4x4. Servicing is annually or every 12,500 miles.
8/10

7. Reliability
There have been no concerns over reliability yet; mechanically and cosmetically the L200 looks like it could withstand a nuclear assault.
9/10

8. Safety
ASTC combines stability control and traction control to maximise grip, and ABS with brake force distribution helps prevent skidding. Driver and passenger airbag (with passenger side deactivation switch),are standard, plus ISOFIX brackets on the four-door Double Cab.
8/10

9. Equipment
The Warrior comes with climate control, a CD player, remote central locking, electric windows all round, electric mirrors, a trip computer, tinted glass, 17-inch alloy wheels, side steps and plenty of chrome paraphernalia.
8/10

10. X-Factor
The L200 Warrior is officially cool, and can make the occupants feel like the A-Team. The shortcomings in its refinement, performance and handling are also part of its charm - the L200 is a tool to be used and abused, not polished.
9/10