Six months after launch, Mitsubishi has filled out the L200 range with a pair of additions to join the single- and double-cab launch models.
As well as the bespoke tipper model driven on the opposite page, Mitsubishi has introduced a new Club Cab version. With a load bay 480mm longer and an overall length 115mm up on the Double Cab, the new addition comes in 4Work, 4Life and Warrior variants.
Unlike its Nissan Navara King Cab Nemesis, there’s no rear door to aid entry to the folding rear seats in the L200 Club Cab, only a lever that tilts and slides the front seat as with a normal three-door hatchback. From a driver’s point-of-view it’s also advisable to let people clamber in and out via the passenger door, because that’s the only front seat that resets to its original position automatically. With the driver’s seat you need to manually slide it back into place.
The two rear seats are a little cosy for adults, but the company says they’re not built for continuous use. Both have three-point seat belts, and the bench part folds up to leave a decent storage area for tools, but it is on show.
The 4Life version driven here is kitted out with switchable four-wheel drive, air conditioning, electric front windows and central locking, although you have to upgrade by just over £2000 to Warrior spec to get alloy wheels, leather seats, chrome exterior trim and alarm.
The L200 Club Cab is both cheaper and has a significantly lower cost per mile than its Nissan Navara rival, and there’s very little to split the two class leaders in terms of on-road ability. It’s powerful and quick for a pick-up, and the brakes are good. The steering’s a little low on feel, however, and the ride’s predictably bouncy unladen over poor quality roads.
Although it’s not practical to expect the Club Cab to frequently carry four people, if you need the extra load bed capacity at the expense of the Double Cab’s proper rear seats, then the Club Cab is a useful addition to the impressive L200 range.
