DubiCars Car Spotlight — Mitsubishi L200 History, Generations, Models & More: A Tough, Reliable & Robust Pickup Truck

A versatile and robust pickup truck known for its durability and exceptional off-road capabilities. With a rugged design and a spacious interior, it effortlessly blends utility and comfort. It started off as a compact pickup truck way back in 1978 and is now a mid-size pickup. The L200 is also known as the Mitsubishi Triton in select markets.

Whether for work or play, the Mitsubishi L200 is a reliable choice that combines power, style, and functionality, making it a popular option in the pickup truck segment. In this edition of the DubiCars Car Spotlight, we take a closer look at the history, generations, models, and more about the Mitsubishi L200.

First Generation | 1978 – 1986

The first generation Mitsubishi L200, introduced in 1978, marked the inception of a pickup truck that would eventually become a global icon in the automotive world. It was a compact pickup truck with circular headlamps and a small load bay at the rear. In Japan, it was known as the Mitsubishi Forte.

One of the standout features of the first-generation L200 was its compact size, making it suitable for navigating tight urban streets. The available four-wheel-drive system ensured it could handle a variety of terrains. However, two-wheel-drive versions were also available. It became one of the most reliable pickup trucks of the time.

Under the bonnet, the first-generation L200 was powered by a range of efficient four-cylinder engines. Petrol engines ranged from 1.6-litre to 2.6-litre units while diesel variants were powered by either a 2.3-litre or 2.5-litre motor.

Second Generation | 1986 – 2007

Rectangular headlamps, straight and angular design lines, and no-nonsense, simplistic styling were the norm for a great pickup truck during this time period. Just like its main competitor, the Toyota Hilux, the second-gen Mitsubishi L200 also featured these design traits. The 2nd generation Mitsubishi L200, produced from 1986 to 1996, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of this iconic vehicle.

The 2nd gen L200 was designed with a focus on rugged utility and improved comfort, making it an ideal choice for both work and leisure. There were new engine options on offer. Petrol versions could be had with engine capacities ranging from 2.0-litres to 3.0-litres. The 2.0-litre unit was a V6. Diesel versions were powered by 2.5-litre NA or turbocharged units.

Third Generation | 1996 – 2012

This is where the Mitsubishi L200 really started to become more stylish. The overall design language remained similar to the second generation. However, Mitsubishi added more styling elements to improve the aesthetics of the pickup truck. It also began the transition from a rugged workhorse to a lifestyle pickup truck.

The 3rd gen Mitsubishi L200 was known for its robust performance. With a variety of engine options to cater to a wide range of driving needs. Petrol engines on offer included a 2.0-litre inline-4, a 2.4-litre inline-4 and a 3.0-litre V6. Diesel models used either a 2.5-litr inline-4 or a 2.8-litre inline-4.

Fourth Generation | 2005 – 2017

Mitsubishi has always been synonymous with rugged, reliable vehicles, and the 4th generation Mitsubishi L200 is no exception. By now, the pickup truck had properly transitioned from being a rugged workhorse inside and out, to a more modern, lifestyle-oriented pickup truck. However, it still had the rugged underpinnings and a reliable powertrain.

In terms of design, it was starting to look a bit more like its sibling — the Mitsubishi Pajero. You can read our detailed Mitsubishi Pajero Car Spotlight article to know more about the legend. Coming back to the L200, the pickup truck was equipped with advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and multiple airbags, ensuring you’re well-protected on the road.

More modern engines were found under the bonnet. Petrol versions were powered by either a 2.4-litre inline-4 or a 3.5-litre V6. Diesel models on the other hand were available with 2.5-litre, 2.8-litre, and 3.2-litre inline-4 units.

Fifth Generation | 2014 – Present

In 2014 Mitsubishi launched the fifth generation of the L200. The silhouette of the pickup truck remained identical to the fourth generation. However, the front end of the pickup truck was redesigned. Advanced safety features like forward collision warning and lane departure warning are available to provide added peace of mind.

In 2018, a facelift of the L200 was revealed at the Thailand International Motor Expo. This is the Mitsubishi L200 that is the most popular yet. With sleek headlamps, a bold and muscular front end, and a durable powertrain, Mitsubishi certainly has a winner on their hands. The Mitsubishi L200 competes directly with the Toyota Hilux and you can read the detailed Mitsubishi L200 vs Toyota Hilux comparison blog article.

Mitsubishi discontinued the V6 engine option with this generation and started focusing more on diesel engines. The 2.4-litre inline-4 petrol engine was retained. However, those opting for a diesel engine could choose between 2.3-litre, 2.4-litre and 2.5-litre units.

Sixth Generation | 2023 – Present

In March 2023, Mitsubishi revealed the XRT Concept at the Bangkok International Motor Show. A few months later, in July 2023, the production version of the XRT Concept was launched as the sixth-generation Mitsubishi L200.

It features an aggressive and premium-looking front fascia with muscular styling on the rest of the pickup truck. It certainly is the most premium version of the L200 yet and looks all set to take on the competition.

While the entire automotive industry is working on getting rid of diesel engines first and then even petrol engines, Mitsubishi has done quite the opposite with the L200. This generation of the Mitsubishi L200 is only available with diesel engines. Single-turbo and twin-turbo versions of the same 2.4-litre inline-4 engine are available for buyers.

Most Popular Mitsubishi L200 Generations In The UAE

Mitsubishi and Al Habtoor Motors retail the fifth-generation L200 in the UAE. The sixth generation is currently available only in a few countries and we expect Mitsubishi UAE to launch the latest generation in the UAE shortly. At the moment, the fourth and fifth generations of the Mitsubishi L200 are most popular in the UAE and it will remain that way until the arrival of the newest L200 generation.