The Barbarian is the replacement for the previous Animal model. But it’s actually far more than that, because if you specify your Barbarian with automatic transmission (as fitted to our test vehicle), you get the first L200 to come with a five-speed set-up. Not only that, but it also comes with permanent four-wheel drive, a real novelty for the many buyers who are more used to the tail-happy antics of an unladen truck with only a part-time system.

Inevitably, you pay a fairly hefty price for such improvements, with the Barbarian Auto coming in at £26,935 (more than £5,000 pricier than the manual version). And it’s thirstier in terms of fuel and dirtier in terms of CO2 emissions too, so your first thought might be to dismiss the auto and save money by opting for the manual.
The thing is, you would be wrong to do so, because the new five-speed auto transforms the L200 driving experience, with a choice of fully automatic or sequential gear changes depending on your mood. We tended to let it do the work for us, and at all times it impressed.

The Barbarian is fitted with the more powerful (175bhp) version of Mitsubishi’s 2.5-litre direct-injection turbo-diesel engine, producing a balance of power and torque (258lb.ft. at a mere 1500rpm) that perfectly suits the five-speed auto transmission. It allows for smooth and surprisingly rapid progress when unladen, so don’t be deterred by the official 0-60mph acceleration time of 13 seconds - it feels a lot livelier than that. The downside is that it’s not the quietest engine around, and can get quite vocal when accelerating hard through the gears.

Tow time - When it comes to practicality, the Barbarian doesn’t disappoint. It will carry up to 1,045kg in a load bed that’s quite generous by double-cab standards, measuring 1505mm in length and 1470mm in width (or 1085mm between the rear wheel arches). And towing-wise, the Barbarian is one of the top in its class, being capable of hauling a braked trailer weighing up to 2,700kg.

If you intend to use your Barbarian off-road, you will be glad of its 205mm ground clearance, with approach and departure angles of 33.4 and 23.8 degrees respectively. And, like all the current-generation L200s of the last four years, it’s genuinely capable out in the rough. The Super Select all-wheel drive (with traction control) gives you a choice of three different settings – and with 4LLC selected, you’ll find plenty of low-down torque for slow but steady progress through tough terrain. Our test vehicle came with road tyres, but still proved capable away from the tarmac. Equip it with a set of off-road rubber and you would have a serious all-terrain vehicle on your hands.

Verdict
This is undoubtedly the best double-cab pick-up we’ve ever tested here at Boat Mart. Its new five-speed automatic transmission transforms the new Barbarian and the good news doesn’t end there. It’s well equipped, well finished and among the most comfortable double cabs you’re likely to encounter. And, with the higher-power (175bhp) version of Mitsubishi’s direct-injection diesel under the bonnet, it’s a decent performer, too - even if noise levels aren’t in the same class as a similarly priced SUV.