Pick up a pickup

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), May 4, 2007

The Mitsubishi L200 with its threatening stance and huge chrome roll bars and grille is both boys' toy and serious workhorse.

Aggressive and packed with the sort of hardware that could pull a tractor out of a peat bog, this range was launched last year to replace the previous best-selling L200.

And it has plenty of appeal thanks to its rugged, practical nature while proving more car-like to drive and benefiting from modern design and extra comfort.

The Mitsubishi's high driving position gives not only a panoramic view of the road but also a sense of authority.

While the 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine may sound rough and agricultural, and the five-speed manual gearshift a bit rubbery, there's no doubting the Mitsubishi's ease of driving and power at speed.

Mitsubishi has seen consistent growth in the L200's popularity here, reaching a peak of 34,314 in 2005. That's not surprising given that the three models which make up the Japanese company's 'high series' ( the Warrior, Animal and Elegance ( are serious fashion statements.

Pick-ups are classified as light commercial vehicles, so a VAT-registered company or trader who buys an L200 can claim back the 17.5% VAT.

A leader in its class, the L200 has been voted Best Pick-up by What Van? Magazine six times in the last eight years.

Expect to pay around pounds 12,995 for a 2006-56 registered L200 Trojan Double Cab or pounds 17,500 for the same model year Warrior Double Cab.

The Nissan Navara was launched in summer 2005 as a replacement for farmers' favourite the Pickup, and comes in two styles ( the King Cab with rear 'half' doors that hinge backwards, and the longer Double Cab with four conventional doors.

Both are given serious punch thanks to a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine pumping out a hefty 174bhp. But these are cars anyone can drive.

While more than enough punch makes the Navara adequate for family use, it's the low down torque which makes it competent for agricultural work and towing.

That is coupled with a large, practical load bed and Nissan's easily accessed part time four-wheel drive system. Those with families are far more likely to opt for the Double Cab, which in flagship Aventura grade is among the best equipped pickups ever sold in the UK.

Of course, it isn't all sweetness and light. It's a tight squeeze for three in the back and shoehorning your way into a conventional parking space is out.

Aventura buyers benefit from leather interior, roof rails, sat nav, sound system, Bluetooth link, side and curtain airbags, electrically heated seats, cruise control, trip computer and electric glass sunroof.

Expect to pay around pounds 17,500 for a 2005-registered Nissan Navara 2.5 Double Cab.

Mitsubishi L200:

Model: Mitsubishi L200.

Driving: Easy to drive. noisy 2.5-litre DI-D diesel engine.

Performance: 0-62 in 14.6 secs with top speed of 103mph.

Economy: Pretty good for a big brute ( 32.8mpg average.

Safety: Driver and front passenger airbags, stability control on Warrior models.

What's hot: Premium image, no-nonsense styling, terrific build, value for money.

What's not: Agricultural sounding engine, tricky to park in a tight space.

Recommended buy: L200 2.5 DI-D Warrior.

Star rating (out of five): * * * * *

Nissan Navara:

Model: Nissan Navara.

Driving: Easy enough to manoeuvre with plenty of kit and comfort.

Performance: Good for a large diesel, 0-62 in 11.5 secs, top speed 105mph.

Economy: Reasonable at an average 30.7mpg.

Safety: Side and curtain airbags.

What's hot: Butch styling, load capacity, four-wheel drive, low tax liability.

What's not: Noisy diesel engine, tight rear space.

Recommended buy: Navara 2.5 DCi Aventura DCab.

Star rating (out of five): * * * *