Comparison

SUV

8 generations

1978 → present

Mitsubishi L200 – 8 Generations, Technical Specifications 1978–2019

Since 1978, the Mitsubishi L200 has occupied a pivotal position in the global one-tonne pickup segment, bridging workhorse utility and passenger-vehicle refinement. Mitsubishi built 8 documented generations through 2019, with production continuing into the present. The Automobilisto database catalogs 100 variants spanning single-cab, double-cab, and 1.5-cab body configurations, with powertrains ranging from 65 PS to 186 PS across petrol and diesel options. The L200's longevity reflects its adaptability to evolving emissions standards, payload demands, and regional market requirements across five continents.

In productionUpdated 2026-08-04100 variants documented113 archive brochures
Mitsubishi L200 5 generation, restyling
2018 - Current days
5 generation, restyling
Mitsubishi L200 5 generation
2015 - 2019
5 generation
Mitsubishi L200 4 generation, restyling
2013 - 2015
4 generation, restyling
Mitsubishi L200 4 generation
2006 - 2014
4 generation
Mitsubishi L200 3 generation, restyling
2004 - 2006
3 generation, restyling
Mitsubishi L200 3 generation
1996 - 2006
3 generation
Mitsubishi L200 2 generation
1986 - 1996
2 generation
Mitsubishi L200 1 generation
1978 - 1986
1 generation
Yauheni Kapliarchuk
Last technical audit 2026-08-04 · two-source verified against Automobilisto catalog database.
First year1978
Generations8
Current chassisKK, KL
Body types3Pickup 1.5-cab · Pickup double-cab · Pickup single-cab

Generation picker

Open any chassis code for its dedicated generation reference

Current5 generation, restyling 2018 — Current days
Pickup 1.5-cabPickup double-cab

The fifth-generation restyling (2018–present) continues production with 10 diesel variants (150–181 PS). Updates include revised front-end styling, enhanced driver-assistance systems, and recalibrated powertrains to meet Euro 6d-TEMP and equivalent global emissions norms.

Variants2
5 generation 2015 — 2019
Pickup double-cabPickup 1.5-cab

Generation five (2015–2019) debuted an all-diesel range with 5 variants spanning 154–181 PS. The platform adopted higher-strength steel and revised suspension geometry to meet updated crash standards and improve unladen ride quality in double-cab and 1.5-cab forms.

Variants2
4 generation, restyling 2013 — 2015
Pickup double-cab

A 2013 restyling narrowed the fourth-generation lineup to 6 diesel-only double-cab variants (136–178 PS), reflecting market consolidation toward crew-cab formats and the phase-out of petrol engines in key export territories.

Variants1
4 generation 2006 — 2014
Pickup single-cabPickup 1.5-cabPickup double-cab

The fourth generation (2006–2014) represented a platform leap, yielding 31 variants and a power peak of 186 PS. All three cab styles returned, with advanced common-rail diesel technology and variable-geometry turbochargers enhancing both efficiency and driveability.

Variants3
3 generation, restyling 2004 — 2006
Pickup double-cabPickup 1.5-cab

A mid-cycle restyling (2004–2006) refined the third generation with 11 variants, eliminating single-cab offerings. Minimum power rose to 95 PS, aligning with stricter Euro 3 and Euro 4 emissions compliance while maintaining the 136 PS ceiling.

Variants2
3 generation 1996 — 2006
Pickup 1.5-cabPickup single-cabPickup double-cab

Generation three (1996–2006) marked the addition of 1.5-cab bodies, bringing total variants to 18. The power band of 75–136 PS prioritized torque delivery for off-road traction and towing, with diesel engines increasingly dominant in European and Oceanian markets.

Variants3
2 generation 1986 — 1996
Pickup double-cabPickup single-cab

The second generation (1986–1996) introduced double-cab configurations alongside single-cab models, expanding the variant count to 12. Power output reached 145 PS, reflecting demand for higher-speed highway capability and improved gross vehicle weight ratings.

Variants2
1 generation 1978 — 1986
Pickup single-cab

The inaugural generation (1978–1986) established the L200 nameplate with 7 single-cab variants. Powertrains spanned 65 PS to 114 PS, offering both petrol and diesel options to address diverse load-carrying and fuel-economy priorities in emerging markets.

Variants1

Full powertrain matrix (KK, KL, 2026)

Every engine × drivetrain combination currently available in the German market

Loading variants…

Generation lineage

Each generation at a glance, oldest to newest

11 gen.1978 — 19861 variants
K34T2 gen.1986 — 19962 variants
K74T3 gen.1996 — 20063 variants
K74T3 gen. rest.2004 — 20062 variants
KA4T4 gen.2006 — 20143 variants
KA4T4 gen. rest.2013 — 20151 variants
KK5 gen.2015 — 20192 variants
KK5 gen. rest.2018 — Current days2 variants

How the model evolved

Across 8 generations, the L200 evolved from a utilitarian single-cab hauler into a sophisticated double-cab platform competing directly with the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. The first two generations prioritized simplicity and payload, with petrol engines serving markets where diesel infrastructure lagged. The third generation's introduction of 1.5-cab bodies in 1996 addressed niche fleet operators requiring occasional rear seating without double-cab length penalties. The fourth generation (2006–2014) marked the L200's maturation into a global product, with 31 variants reflecting regional powertrain preferences—high-torque diesels for Europe and Oceania, petrol options retained for Southeast Asia and Latin America. Peak power climbed from 114 PS in 1986 to 186 PS by 2014, driven by competitive pressures and highway-speed towing demands. The shift to diesel-only lineups from the 2013 restyling onward mirrored industry-wide trends, as stricter CO₂ regulations and total-cost-of-ownership calculations favored compression ignition. By the fifth generation, the L200 had standardized on turbocharged four-cylinder diesels delivering 150–181 PS, with electronic stability control, hill-descent systems, and selectable four-wheel-drive modes now baseline. The current restyling maintains this diesel-centric strategy while integrating autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, positioning the L200 as a semi-premium offering in markets where pickups serve dual commercial and personal roles.

Market context

The L200 achieved global distribution, with sustained presence in Europe, Oceania, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. In Australia and Thailand, it competed as a volume leader against the Hilux and Ranger, while European sales concentrated in agricultural and construction sectors. The model never entered the North American market, where full-size pickups dominate. Right-hand-drive variants served Commonwealth markets extensively, and left-hand-drive production supported continental Europe and South America.

113 original brochures are preserved in the Automobilisto archive.

Open the archive

Compare with other cars

Mitsubishi L200

Mitsubishi L200

1978 → present

5 generation, restyling

Pick brand, model and modification →

Mitsubishi dealers

All dealers and services →

Frequently asked questions about L200

How many generations of the Mitsubishi L200 exist?

Mitsubishi produced 8 documented generations of the L200 between 1978 and 2019, with the fifth-generation restyling remaining in production. The Automobilisto database catalogs 100 variants across these generations.

What body styles does the L200 offer?

The L200 has been offered in single-cab, double-cab, and 1.5-cab configurations. Single-cab models appeared from 1978 to 2014, double-cab from 1986 onward, and 1.5-cab from 1996 to the present restyling.

When did the L200 switch to diesel-only powertrains?

The L200 transitioned to diesel-only lineups with the fourth-generation restyling in 2013. Prior generations offered both petrol and diesel engines, with petrol variants discontinued as emissions regulations tightened globally.

What is the power range of L200 engines?

Across all generations, L200 powertrains span 65 PS to 186 PS. The first generation started at 65 PS in 1978, while the fourth generation peaked at 186 PS in 2014. Current diesel variants deliver 150–181 PS.

Was the Mitsubishi L200 sold in North America?

No, the L200 was never officially marketed in the United States or Canada. Its global footprint concentrated on Europe, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where one-tonne pickups dominate commercial and personal segments.