GET behind the wheel of the latest Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian X pick-up and you’ll really feel you’re in command.

And that’s not just down to the superb view of the world around you thanks to the ride-height of the Japanese marque’s giant. It’s also because you’ll enjoy a host of creature comforts on board a family or business workhorse that has great off-road and load-lugging capabilities.

In fact, if you’ve wondered why so many active families seem to be opting for pick-up trucks instead of large SUVs, step inside the L200 Barbarian X and you’ll soon understand the attraction.

The cabin has ample room for a family of five or four adults who will enjoy the plush leather seats (heated up front) and soft flooring. As they settle in, they’ll no doubt admire the good use of leather and silver trim around the cabin and appreciate the ambient lighting.

A seven-inch touchscreen gives access to the infotainment system, which includes a full suite of smartphone connectivity, DAB digital radio and 360-degree parking camera. The dual-zone climate control includes rear seat heater ducts and the fully adjustable multi-function steering wheel is heated.

The Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 Barbarian X

Driver aids include keyless entry and start, cruise control, a trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, auto lights including high beam and electric heated/folding door mirrors.

Forward collision mitigation, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors and even misacceleration mitigation are among many safety systems.

And a key ingredient for those who have to tackle the rough stuff is Mitsubishi’s state-of-the-art Super Select 4WD system – operated by a dial on the centre console.

The four settings go from rear-wheel drive for normal road conditions to an all-wheel low-range mode with locked centre differential for steep hills, mud, sand and snow. Backing that up is an off-road selector switch for different surfaces, hill descent control and a wading depth of 600mm.

There is a braked towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, with an additional payload of 625kg (including the driver). When not towing, the maximum payload is a hefty 1075kg – and, to make life easier, there’s a soft-opening, spring-assisted tailgate.

The test vehicle was powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a sport mode and steering wheel paddle shifters if you want to take control.

Developing a fairly healthy 150PS and maximum torque of 400Nm at 1750 to 2250rpm, this powertrain is capable of propelling the L200 to a top speed of 106mph. A stop/start system helps this sizeable pick-up achieve an official average fuel stat of 36.2mpg, which equates to 206g/km of CO2.

I found the Barbarian X to be surprisingly easy to drive around town, the rear 2WD setting helping to make the steering lighter and more responsive than I might have expected.

Once out into the hills south of Glasgow, I discovered the 4H all-wheel mode provided the grip to inspire confidence in the wet and slippery conditions the winter weather was bringing to the lanes.

The Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 Barbarian X

And on a motorway run, I soon realised that the L200 is a comfortable cruiser, with relatively little engine, road and wind noise entering the cabin.

The Barbarian X has rugged looks to match its capabilities, with dynamic brightwork at the front, bold light clusters, chunky 18in alloys and silver side steps among the highlights.

Priced from £32,200 excluding VAT for this model, it’s a safe bet that this Mitsubishi will tempt more buyers into the pick-up market.

Factfile:

  • Model: Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian X Double Cab Diesel Auto 4WD
  • Engine: 2.2-litre diesel
  • Power: 150PS
  • Top speed: 106mph
  • Towing capacity: 3500kg
  • Average mpg: 36.2
  • CO2 emissions: 206g/km
  • Warranty: Five years/62,500 miles
  • Price: £32,200 excluding VAT