New Mitsubishi L200 vs Volkswagen Amarok: verdict
These range-topping pick-ups from Mitsubishi and Volkswagen are workhorses that don't skimp on the luxuries. But which one is the guv'nor?...
Our verdict
In many ways, the VW Amarok is still the best pick-up truck on the market. It’s much better to drive than all the competition, plus it has a huge load bay, roomy rear seats and a mighty V6 diesel engine. But this particular version is too pricey to recommend and certainly isn’t worth almost £12,000 more than our favourite version (the 3.0 TDI 204 Trendline).
The Mitsubishi L200 also makes more sense in its cheaper trim levels, but at least the Barbarian X isn’t outrageously priced, and it goes some way towards justifying its price by having a good roster of safety kit, along with plenty of luxuries. The fact that it also betters the Amarok for towing and payload capacity gives it a narrow win.
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1st – Mitsubishi L200
For Loads cheaper to buy and run; better safety; higher payload and towing capacity
Against Unsettled ride; smaller load bay; gruff engine; sluggish acceleration
Recommended options Retractable load bed cover (£1560)
What Car? rating 3 out of 5 stars
Read our full Mitsubishi L200 review >>
2nd – Volkswagen Amarok
For Heaps better to drive; surprisingly fast; bigger load bay; better driving position
Against Poor safety provisions; too pricey to buy and run; stingily equipped
Recommended options Adjustable lumbar support (£168)
What Car? rating 3 out of 5 stars
Read our full VW Amarok review >>
Specifications: Mitsubishi L200
- Engine - 4cyl, 2268cc, diesel
- List price (inc VAT) - £38,967
- List price (exc VAT) - £32,525
- Power - 148bhp @ 3500rpm
- Torque - 295Ib ft @ 2000rpm
- Gearbox - 6-spd automatic
- 0-60mph - 12.8sec
- 30-70mph- 13.2sec
- Top speed - 106mph
- 30-0mph - 9.1m
- 70-0mph - 47.5m
- Official fuel economy - 29.1mpg (WLTP)
- Test MPG - 28.6mpg
- CO2 emissions - 254g/km (WLTP)
- Towing capacity (braked/unbraked) - 3500kg/750kg
- Maximum Payload (gross) - 1150kg
- Ground clearance - 205mm
- Wading depth - 500mm
Specifications: Volkswagen Amarok
- Engine - 6cyl, 2970cc, diesel
- List price (inc VAT) - £47,241
- List price (exc VAT) - £39,420
- Power - 254bhp @ 3250-4000rpm
- Torque - 428lb ft @ 1400-3000rpm
- Gearbox - 8-spd automatic
- 0-60mph - 7.5sec
- 30-70mph- 7.0sec
- Top speed - 129mph
- 30-0mph - 8.7m
- 70-0mph - 50.0m
- Official fuel economy - 28.2mpg (WLTP)
- Test MPG - 27.5mpg
- CO2 emissions - 231g/km (WLTP)
- Towing capacity (braked/unbraked) - 3100kg/750kg
- Maximum Payload (gross) - 1070kg
- Ground clearance - 192mm
- Wading depth - 500mm
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