Dodge RAM 1500 and Mitsubishi L200 – the war of two worlds
One is an American pickup, the other is Japanese, but both want to convince European drivers. The Mitsubishi L200, which has become the bestseller in its class over the years, and the RAM 1500, which has only recently been offered recently, have some similarities, but there are still more differences …
Pickup trucks, by definition, are special-purpose vehicles, so they are tough, rough, and extremely durable. This is on the one hand. On the other hand, they are not very convenient in everyday use, not very accurate in turns and too large in size for unhindered movement around the city. Is it still like this?
Let’s figure it out…
Working class
Both cars are road giants. Mitsubishi L200 in the States, perhaps, would be the highest compact pickup truck, but not a fact … But for Europe it is a very large car and this is a fact. It is 5.30 meters long, 1.82 meters wide and 1.78 meters high. But when a Ram 1500 with a long cab (the so-called Crew Cab) is parked next to it, it turns out that the L200 is not that big at all. An American pickup truck is about 20 percent larger than a Mitsubishi. The hood extends to the chest of an adult, and you need to tiptoe up to see what is located under it. Why are we comparing such different cars? Because they are classics in their class, and in the 1980s they were technical twins when the two brands worked together. In 2019, the Mitsubishi L200 has undergone a major upgrade – the car has changed its appearance, and with it the front and rear lights, and the interior. The Ram 1500 represents a next-generation pickup truck model, the first vehicle built from scratch under the Ram name since the brand was spun off from Dodge in 2010.
The Mitsubishi has plenty of ground clearance, and the floor and seat are high, so you literally have to climb up to get a seat. The handles installed on the racks at each door help with this. As for the steering wheel and pedals, you sit here like in a car, and not like in an all-terrain vehicle, which is somewhat surprising. Ahead is spacious, a lot of space and sitting on the back sofa. The rear seats and backrest are shaped so that passengers can lean back comfortably without having to keep their knees under their chin, which is common in pickup trucks.
I will not be far from the truth if I write that the Ram 1500 has by far the largest passenger compartment among the cars offered in Europe. To confirm this, I will cite this fact – the driver cannot touch the passenger door or reach the edge of the seat, even when it is pulled out like a string. To get into the cockpit of the Ram, you have to climb even higher than in the L200, but the entrance is wider and higher, so climbing into the seat is a little, but easier. The American pickup truck has another advantage – you can put grocery bags or travel bags under the sofa, so you are not doomed to carry luggage only in the cargo hold. Mitsubishi doesn’t have that option, but it’s a pain in the ass for most pickups .
Something like comfort
After restyling , Mitsubishi abandoned the two proposed engines and used a new unit, which, in terms of performance, is between the proposed ones. This is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder diesel (for some reason stubbornly referred to as 2.2) engine that produces 150 hp. and 400 Nm of torque. The Ram also has only one engine in its range, and like the rest of the car, it’s unusual in that it’s a 5.7-liter naturally aspirated V8. Power – 395 hp, torque – 556 Nm.
Mitsubishi L200 is one of the most comfortable pickups for everyday driving. It has a fairly softly tuned suspension, comfortable seats, a lot of space inside the cabin, which is relatively well soundproofed. However, nothing can mask the noise of a diesel engine, which can be heard whirring no matter the speed at which it is running. Any pickup truck is a hard-working vehicle, so the word "comfortable" in relation to the L200 means it’s a relatively comfortable workhorse. Ram 1500, on the other hand, is a mixture of truck, SUV, spacious family car and luxury crossover. Of course, because of the absurd size, the car needs more room to maneuver, but even in the city it can move smoothly thanks to large mirrors and an excellent rear-view camera. But still, it should be remembered that while the front wheels go where the driver wants, the rear wheels do not always do this and sometimes “cut" the turn when driving on the streets. While driving, you can hardly hear the engine, so if the driver wants to hear the guttural sound of the 5.7-liter " V8 ", he must roll down the windows and press hard on the gas.
Ram 1500
The Ram has a powerful engine and air suspension that make driving a lot of fun. Even when driving on a twisty road, the car doesn’t lean much, and the steering is precise enough to steer this car smoothly between corners. Longer driving at a speed of 120-140 km / h is not difficult, because most of the time the car behaves in the same way as a large and comfortable SUV. Only during sharp maneuvers – hard braking or a quick movement of the steering wheel – you can feel that this is a heavy pickup truck with off-road tread on the tires. On the other hand, Mitsubishi L200, due to its lighter weight and smaller dimensions, it is easier to drive and responds faster to steering wheel commands. However, its body constantly tilts not only when cornering, but also when accelerating or braking. In addition, a poorly thought-out suspension and a not very precise steering system make the dynamic driving of the L200 a serious test for the driver. On both cars, the trajectory stabilization systems work effectively, which respond to zero-one and thank them for that.
Not available?
Recently, a lot of conflicting information has appeared about both brands. Mitsubishi leaves Europe – no, the brand only suspends the release of new models, and the L200 will be offered in showrooms for a long time to come. Ram cars cannot be bought lately – also not true, this brand is already represented in our country and both new and used cars are sold. Nothing stops you from having a Ram or Mitsubishi in your garage.
combat conditions
I would venture to say that the Ram 1500 feels better on asphalt than on rough terrain, despite the fact that the Rebel version is the most off-road version of this model. In this version, the car does not have automatic all-wheel drive, so the front wheels must be engaged manually to operate. Of course, there is a step-down box and rear differential lock on board, and the off-road tires have deep tread – the Ram has everything you would expect from such a machine. The biggest advantage is of course the engine, because thanks to the Ram ‘s high drive powernot so much overcomes obstacles as crushes them into a cake. The car’s power is delightful and addictive, and yet the off-road Ram isn’t quite as simple and precise as the L200. The American car is a little big and has a huge wheelbase, so the driver is constantly worried that the Ram might not fit between the boulders and hang on his stomach. It’s not even good that the air suspension can be raised and the ground clearance will then increase to 27 cm. The Ram 1500 is similar to the Mercedes G-Class – it will go anywhere and overcome any obstacles, but the thought that its interior will get dirty with dirt, and the paint can scratch, crazy.
Mitsubishi L200
The Mitsubishi L200 is smaller and lighter, which means it’s much more manoeuvrable. It has a smaller engine with much less power, but it delivers a good 400 Nm of torque and that power is available from 1750 rpm, so a Japanese car in the field is always short of steam. Mitsubishi has four-wheel drive that can be used daily, as well as a reduction gear and a rear differential lock, which are indispensable off-road attributes. The L200 easily overcomes any obstacles, there is no risk of catching on the bottom or front bumper, so it goes through steep descents and ascents without noticing them. And most importantly, the L200 driverknows that it will fit anywhere and drive through any puddle, and the dirt on the tires will only add character to the image.
Two cars, two worlds. P/L in favor of the Mitsubishi L200 is the smarter choice. And that means the Ram 1500 is more enticing, an eight-cylinder pickup available at the current showroom. This is a story that could end quickly.
Summary
Ram 1500
A luxury SUV among pickups and a powerful pickup among SUVs, the Ram 1500 is the only such vehicle in recent times. Its advantage is high comfort, because no other car offered in Europe has such a spacious interior. Ram scores points for its "rebellious" qualities – there is no place on the roads for big cars, and Ram is the size of a tank; exhaust emission standards kill 2-liter engines in compacts, and the Ram has a 5.7-liter V8. Therefore, buying such a car is not so much a choice dictated by reason, but rather a kind of manifestation of freedom of choice.
Mitsubishi L200
This is one of the less spacious and compact pickups of recent times, but still very popular. Drivers appreciated Mitsubishi ‘s reliability, high driving comfort (for this type of car) and an attractive price, because the L200 is one of the most inexpensive pickups. Certainly not a Ram to compare in terms of driving experience, but its 400Nm of torque is perfect for hard work or off-road riding. It is very important to remember that this is a car designed to solve the most difficult tasks.