There are significant changes under the bonnet, too. Mitsubishi foresees a future where emissions-based taxation comes into effect for pick-ups, so the company has worked hard to ensure the new all-aluminium 2.4-litre turbodiesel in the L200 is as clean as possible.
Features include variable valve timing and a variable-geometry turbocharger, and the net result is 173g/km of CO2 in this specification; the next-best rival, the Nissan Navara, emits a far higher 183g/km of CO2.
Consumption has also dropped to an impressive average of 42.8mpg - 4.1mpg better than the Isuzu D-Max - while power and torque has climbed slightly compared to the engine found in the Series 4.
How does the L200 perform on the road?
To drive, the L200 is as entertaining as all pick-ups are, at least initially. A hefty slug of low-down torque, the light back axle leading to easy wheelspin in rear-drive mode, and the high-riding, mud-pluggin’ feel are all present and correct.
What’ll come as very good news to anyone looking to actually drive it somewhere, however, is that the Mitsubishi’s talents extend far beyond it simply being a bit of rough, rugged short-lived fun.
Head out onto the road and what you’ll immediately notice is a comparative absence of body roll. This is a far more composed affair than before, and all the better for it.
The steering has a suitable heft and precision, making it easy to plot and hold your desired course, and the rack is quick enough to prevent you from having to wildly flail away at the wheel every time you want to execute a sharp turn. Like commandeering a rogue oil tanker this is not.
There’s a decent amount of front-end grip, too, so cross-country driving with a bit of pace isn’t the fear-inducing, hedge-flattening experience you might expect.
Neatly wrapping up the Mitsubishi’s on-road manners are sensibly configured controls, including a long-travel clutch pedal with a predictable biting point, an easily moderated accelerator and smooth, powerful brakes, all making the L200 simple to drive, particularly in rougher conditions.
In two-wheel drive mode, in wet conditions, it’s predictably easy to light up the rear tyres – there’s a lot of low-end torque, after all – but switching to four-wheel drive negates that issue at the twist of a dial. The 'Super Select 4WD' system features a Torsen centre differential which, in road-going mode, splits the power 40/60 front to rear.
The rear-biased power distribution helps quell some understeer, further helping the Mitsubishi drive in a more positive fashion. If it’s dry we’d suggest sticking it in two-wheel drive mode, though, as besides being more efficient, it also feels a little smoother.
What is stereotypically pick-up-like is the ride. With a solid chassis, a live rear axle and leaf springs, plus a suspension set-up that’s designed to deal with a hefty payload, it’s bouncy to say the least. Drive down a rough country road and it can feel akin to a pogo-stick.
On smoother roads and at lower speeds it’s perfectly tolerable, though, and you have to temper the unladen complaints with the fact that this is a working vehicle at heart and it is set up as such.
If you’ve driven any relatively recent diesel hatchback recently, then the L200’s gruff engine may come as a surprise. It's more audible nature is no doubt a side effect of its all-aluminium construction. That said, the noise does settle down in steady-state cruising conditions.