AVERY REFINED BARBARIAN
The interior could easily come from a classy SUV
Barbarian X logo on the front kick-plates.
With extra convenience in mind, four cameras located in the front, rear and in the door mirrors monitor the area around the vehicle and generate a bird’s eye view to highlight any hidden obstacles.
And the in-dash display also shows the front camera view when the vehicle is in forward gears and the rear camera view when in reverse.
The L200 is practical too, with space for three across the back and stowage like large bottle holders in each door, door bins, overhead sunglasses holder, glovebox and a deep central container.
There’s space for three in the back, though the centre position is perched and feels firm – not ideal for marathon journeys – otherwise the ride is smooth and refined.
Mindful that this is still primarily a workhorse vehicle, the carrying capacity is immense and the vast flat-bed load area comes with a lockable sliding cover called the
The L200 wraps up the power and practicality of a pick-up in a stylish package
Mountain Top Roll.
At the car’s heart is a new 2,268cc, all aluminium turbo-diesel engine producing a 150bhp plus a significant improvement in fuel economy compared to its predecessor – our own return was just short of 34 miles per gallon over 200 miles of predominantly urban motoring.
With its advanced fourwheel drive system, offering four new 4x4 modes and the security of driving in fourwheel drive mode at any speed, a payload of up to 1,080kg and towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes, this is an all-rounder of outstanding merit.
The L200 comes in both Club Cab and Double Cab configuration and in five trim grades, with prices from £21,515, though it’s possible to push up the price with some tasty optional extras.
Our tested version for instance came in an eyecatching Sunflare Orange pearlescent paint job costing £475 (ex VAT).
Opting for a retractable tonneau cover and black sport styling bars adds another £1,849.99, while a towbar plus 13-pin electrics is £549.98.