Mitsubishi L200 (2012-2017)

On the inside too, the L200 carries forward the basic appeal of the outside, by maintaining the no-frills theme for the cabin. The overall cabin is also inspired from the Strada, with the fact that most of the features which come standard in the Strada have been given a miss here.

The three-spoke steering wheel, as well as the instrument console, looks very basic. Especially, with the absence of steering controls as well as a functional MID robbing off both the convenience and modernity. The whole dashboard is finished in black theme, and the quality of plastics look low rent and unappealing. The center console comes fitted with a basic 1-DIN music system, with vertical AC vents on its either sides, and manual AC controls below it. Apart from the music system, there are no other comfort and convenience feature present in the L200, not even power windows which is very disappointing.

The one thing in which the L200 completely excels to the core is the number of people it can carry at once. Remember how the boxy cargo makes the L200 look odd? The same boxy cabin has the ability to accommodate 12 people at once, thus making the L200 a perfect vehicle for ferrying people from point A to point B. The boot also comes with roof mounted AC blowers for added convenience.

In a generation when the MUVs are taking a leaf from the styling books of SUVs by appealing rigid and sturdy with tough-looking design cues, the L200 comes out as a disappointment. The L200 is basically a bare-bones version of the Strada with a large boxy cabin attached to the rear of the vehicle.

At the front, the L200 shares its design theme completely with the Strada. This means that the L200 comes with a wide front grille, however, it is sans the chrome garnishing here and is finished in an all black theme. Taking the basic appeal further is the non-painted bumper, which makes the front of the L200 looks as if it has undergone the sword of a cost-cutting procedure. Even the headlamps are a straight lift off from the Strada, and to be honest, it is the only good looking bit here. The black colored door handles and the steel wheels further suggest that the L200 is purely built to a cost.

The L200 continues to be same as the Strada till the B-pillar, post which the cargo bay has been replaced by a boxy squared cabin. This rectangular cabin comes with two large glass windows with a sliding function for cross ventilation. The whole design of the rear profile looks very weird, as this boxy cabin feels seriously out of place. At the rear too, the hatch has a boxy rear door which opens leftwards, with the tail lights placed on the rear bumper, thus giving the rear a very basic profile.

The large boxy cabin at the rear robs off the stability and handling of the L200 by imparting a good amount of body roll. However, the Independent Double Wishbone with Coil Spring at the front and Rigid Elliptic Leaf Springs with Telescopic Shock Absorbers at the rear are set on a softer side to make the overall ride quality of the L200 on a softer side. The small 15-inch steel wheels and ground clearance lower than the Strada aid the body roll furthermore. The overall braking experience is somewhat adequate for a vehicle of this cadre.

Along with the exterior as well as interior, the L200 also retains the 2.5-litre inline-four diesel engine from the Strada in a paired-down form. In the L200, this engine has the ability to produce a maximum power output of 128 PS and a maximum torque output of 240 Nm. The engine here is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

As with many people carriers, the engine has a linear power delivery with minimal excitement. The gearbox has long gear ratios for using the maximum torque available on tap. The AWD system on the L200 works flawlessly, and while it is not meant to be taken completely off the tarmac, the L200 takes the off-road conditions pretty easily.

Even after being a very paired down vehicle in terms of features, the L200 comes fitted with the basics of safety to ensure that it is not a completely avoidable vehicle. The vehicle comes with dual airbags at the front, however, the absence of ABS is a shame.

The L200 is not a desirable vehicle by any means. The overall styling is very basic and weird at the same time. The interiors look like that of a vehicle from the eighties and the absence of comfort, convenience and safety features is a serious concern. However, where the L200 manages to impress is a supple ride quality and ferrying capacity of 15 people at a time. This only reason is good enough for cab operators to seal the deal in its favour. Adding in the aspect of reliability of Mitsubishi vehicles into account, the L200 makes up for an appreciable low cost people carrier.