EVERY now and then, this writer is asked which pickup truck is a good buy and my answer is always: “It depends on what you’re looking for.” If you want a ready-for-all-road-conditions kind of truck with a car-like ride, and you’re asking me right at this moment, I would say go for the all-new Mitsubishi Strada/L200.
The all-new Strada is the fifth generation in its line and it elevates the pickup concept to an ultimate sport-utility truck. While improving practical utility and durability for commercial use, it also provides fun-to-drive sportiness and drivability, which instills pride, satisfaction of private ownership and comfort in its users.
The Strada is a 1-ton truck that was developed to reinforce the legacy of its predecessors. After they were launched in 1978, Mitsubishi trucks have gained a strong user base worldwide.
Over 36 years, Mitsubishi has evolved from commercial to private use, and there has been a diversification in what customers are looking for in this pickup line.
I went to Chiba, Japan, with Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Inc. in November last year. Together with other motoring journalists, I got a chance to test-drive the seven variants of the all-new Strada around Sodegaura Forest Raceway in Chiba.
The Strada is distinguished by the original packaging, which uses a distinctive “J” line to separate the cab and cargo bed to bring together a comfortable interior, as well as easy maneuverability. “We have sold more than 4 million units since its first generation,” said Mitsubishi Motor Corp. Corporate General Manager for Global Pickup Project Promotion Office Koichi Namiki.
“Our target is more comfortable, personal use ultimate sport-utility truck that offers reliability, durability, safety and performance at its best.” The Strada is equipped with a 2.4-liter Mivec turbo diesel engine, which combines cutting-edge technologies to return class-leading fuel economy and deliver gutsy acceleration at low speeds, as well as operating quietness on a par with a passenger car. “We have upgraded the Strada from 350 Nm to 400 Nm of torque,” Namiki said. “The pickup is made of high tensile materials stemming from high-rigidity chassis frame and cab structures, which perform under the harshest of conditions.”
The Strada’s chassis and suspension were carefully designed to support a wide range of operating situations and deliver ride comfort on a par with a passenger car. In addition, the Strada has excellent visibility and armed with the hill-startassist, as well as outstanding drivability to a class-leading turning radius of 5.7 meters for the two-wheel drive and 5.9 meters for the four-wheel drive.
The pickup is also rigged with outstanding safety performance, Rise (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution)—the brand name of Mitsubishi’s patented safety body construction system. In the event of a collision, efficient energy absorption and high cabin integrity are important. Rise enhances passenger-protection performance.
In the event of a collision, efficient energy absorption and high cabin integrity are important. Rise achieves these features and enhances collision-safety performance. The Active Stability and Traction Control will also prevent wheel slip by controlling unstable vehicle movements.
“We also made further distinctive styling on the Strada with ease of drive,” Namiki stressed. “The cabin is very comfortable that the pickup has a car-like ride and quietness is remarkable. We extended the rear leaf spring by 120 mm; increased cabin mounting capacity; side support on the seats; enhanced tilt and telescopic steering; and noise vibration harshness has been improved.”
So, again, if one were to ask me what would be a good pickup truck to have, I would say, “Check out the all-new Mitsubishi Strada, which everyone is now eyeing.”
Why? It offers excellent on-road/off-road driving performance yet provides an incredibly comfortable ride. It also gives superb driving pleasure, thanks to its agility, convenient paddle shifters, quicker steering gear ratio, lightweight construction, powerful powertrain and not-so-forgettable sporty exterior design that will make you forget that it is a big truck.”
Image credits: Tet Andolong