Choice between Nissan Navara And Mitsubishi L200 is not just a comparison of two pickups, but a search for a balance between comfort, cross-country ability and economic feasibility. Both cars have long gained a reputation as reliable workhorses, but the approaches to their design are fundamentally different. Navara with its multi-link rear suspension promises car comfort, and L200 with a classic spring design - time-tested simplicity and load capacity.
In this article we will look at the key aspects that will help you make your choice: from technical nuances to real ownership experience. You will find out which pickup truck copes better with... off-road when fully loaded, where maintenance is more economical, and why one of them may be cheaper to purchase, but more expensive to operate. And also - what “pitfalls” are hidden behind the bright advertising slogans of manufacturers.
1. Technical characteristics: engines and transmissions
The heart of any pickup truck is its powertrain. Here competitors have different philosophies: Nissan relies on turbodiesels with an aluminum block, and Mitsubishi remains faithful to cast iron motors with a simple but proven design.
Basic Navara NP300 equipped with a 2.3-liter turbodiesel YD23DDTi in two power options: 160 hp (single turbine) and 190 hp (biturbo). Both units are paired with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission. L200 offers 2.4-liter 4N15 (181 hp) with similar boxes, but there is a nuance here: automatic for Mitsubishi - this is a classic torque converter, and not a robot, like some versions of the Navara.
- 🔧 Navara: aluminum block, timing chain drive, system
AdBlue(for Euro-6), resource up to 300 thousand km with proper maintenance - 🔧 L200: cast iron block, timing belt drive (replacement every 100 thousand km), no
AdBluein some markets - ⚡ Fuel consumption: Navara in the combined cycle - 7.5-8.5 l/100 km, L200 - 8.0-9.2 l/100 km
- 🔄 Transmission: The L200 has a more durable automatic, but the Navara manual is considered more reliable
⚠️ Attention: Owners Navara with the biturbo version of the engine they often encounter problems EGR and particulate filter after 150 thousand km. U L200 the weak point is the turbine, which may require replacement after 120 thousand km with aggressive driving.
2. Suspension and cross-country ability: which is better for off-road?
This is where the fun begins. Nissan Navara - the only pickup in the class with multi-link rear suspension, which gives an undeniable advantage in comfort on asphalt. But how does this affect cross-country ability?
Mitsubishi L200 retains the classic spring design, which better withstands overloads and allows the installation of heavier superstructures. However, as standard ground clearance L200 (205 mm) is inferior to Navara (227 mm). But Mitsubishi has a trump card - the system Super Select 4WD, which allows you to switch between drives on the go up to 100 km/h.
| Parameter | Nissan Navara | Mitsubishi L200 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link | Spring |
| Ground clearance, mm | 227 | 205 |
| Approach/departure angle | 32°/25° | 30°/23° |
| All-wheel drive system | All Mode 4x4 (electronic) |
Super Select 4WD (mechanical) |
| Max. fording depth, mm | 600 | 500 |
In practice Navara behaves better on rough roads thanks to the independent suspension, but L200 is more durable under constant overloads. If you need a car for overlanding (long trips with a camper), it is better to take a closer look at Mitsubishi. For city use and rare outings - Nissan.
- Nissan Navara
- Mitsubishi L200
- Equally good
- Depends on tires
3. Load capacity and towing: performance indicators
Official load capacity figures are often misleading. On paper L200 can take on board up to 1050 kg, and Navara - up to 1000 kg. But real tests show a different picture.
Due to multi-link suspension Navara begins to “sag” already at 700-800 kg in the body, while the L200 maintains controllability even with a ton of cargo. Regarding towing:
- Navara: up to 3.5 tons (with brakes)
- L200: up to 3.1 tons (but with better stability on descents)
- 📦 Navara: maximum load on the roof - 100 kg, in the body - 1000 kg (really comfortable up to 800 kg)
- 📦 L200: on the roof - 150 kg, in the body - 1050 kg (can be loaded to capacity)
- 🚛 Towing: Navara has better transmission cooling under prolonged loads
- 🔩 Load securing: L200 has more points for fixing in the body
⚠️ Attention: When towing a trailer weighing more than 2.5 tons Navara requires the mandatory installation of an additional transmission cooling radiator (option for 40-50 thousand rubles). U L200 This radiator is standard on all-wheel drive versions.
☑️ What to check before buying a pickup truck for work
4. Comfort and handling: city vs highway
If you plan to use a pickup truck as your main vehicle, comfort becomes critical. Here Navara gets ahead thanks to:
- Light steering wheel with good feedback
- Less vibration on uneven surfaces
- Quieter cabin (noise level at 100 km/h - 68 dB versus 72 dB for L200)
However, Mitsubishi has its advantages:
- More informative brake pedal
- Better interior ergonomics (climate control buttons at hand)
- Firmer seats that are less tired over long distances
On the track L200 behaves more confidently when overtaking thanks to a more responsive turbine, but Navara is more comfortable on broken asphalt. In the city, Nissan again has the advantage - a smaller turning radius (5.8 m versus 6.3 m) and better maneuverability.
During a test drive, be sure to check the operation of the air conditioner at idle speed - this is a weak point in pickups with turbodiesels. If the air stops blowing when the climate control is on, get ready to replace the compressor (from 60 thousand rubles).
5. Reliability and cost of maintenance
According to the services, Mitsubishi L200 costs 15-20% less to maintain due to its simpler design. But there are nuances:
- 💰 Navara: spare parts are more expensive (for example, a turbine - 120 thousand rubles versus 80 thousand rubles for the L200), but the oil change in the transfer case is required less often
- 💰 L200: consumables are cheaper, but stabilizer struts and control arm bushings fail more often
- 🔧 Warranty: for Nissan - 3 years or 100 thousand km, for Mitsubishi - 5 years or 150 thousand km (for some markets)
- 🛠️ Self-repair: L200 is easier to maintain in garage conditions (more space under the hood)
Average maintenance cost for both pickups:
- Up to 100 thousand km: 12-15 thousand rubles/year
- After 150 thousand km: 25-35 thousand rubles/year (including replacement of belts, rollers, turbine)
⚠️ Attention: Owners Navara with a biturbo engine often encounter problems with the injection system after using a low-quality diesel engine. Repairing injectors costs 80-120 thousand rubles. per set. U L200 the weak point is the high-pressure fuel pump (HFP), which can fail after 200 thousand km (replacement - 70-90 thousand rubles).
6. Prices and options: what is more profitable to buy?
On the primary market (2026) prices start from:
- Nissan Navara: 2.8 million rub. (basic version with manual transmission)
- Mitsubishi L200: 2.6 million rub. (similar equipment)
However, on the secondary market the picture changes:
- Navara 2018-2020 with a mileage of 80-100 thousand km - 1.8-2.2 million rubles.
- L200 of the same year - 1.6-2.0 million rubles.
In top trim levels (Navara Tekna And L200 Exceed) the difference reaches 300-400 thousand rubles. in favor of Mitsubishi. But here you need to take into account what Navara has in the top:
- Leather interior with heating/ventilation
- All-round camera
- Downhill assist system (Hill Descent Control)
The L200 has the following in its maximum configuration:
- Electric seats with memory
- Dual zone climate control
- Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
Hidden costs when buying a pickup truck
When purchasing a used pickup truck, be sure to include in your budget:
- Replacement of all technical fluids (up to 20 thousand rubles)
- Diagnostics of the frame for hidden corrosion (5-10 thousand rubles)
- Possible replacement of shock absorbers (10-15 thousand rubles per piece)
- Installation of crankcase protection (15-25 thousand rubles)
The total amount of “hidden” expenses can reach 100-150 thousand rubles.
7. Real ownership experience: reviews and typical problems
Analysis of forums and owner groups reveals interesting trends:
Nissan Navara:
- 70% of owners praise comfort, but 40% complain about the high cost of spare parts
- Typical problems: leaking transfer case seals (after 100 thousand km), failure of the oil pressure sensor
- Pros: excellent sound insulation, comfortable chairs, good multimedia
Mitsubishi L200:
- 85% of owners note reliability, but 30% criticize the cabin noise
- Typical problems: corrosion of sills (on cars older than 5 years), steering rack play
- Pros: non-killable engine, simple electrics, cheap maintenance
Interesting fact: on the secondary market L200 They sell faster - demand for them is consistently higher by 20-25%. This indicates greater liquidity of Mitsubishi for resale.
If you are buying a pickup truck for business (taxi, transportation, rental), choose the Mitsubishi L200 - it is cheaper to maintain and easier to repair. For personal use with an emphasis on comfort, the Nissan Navara is better.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about choosing between Navara and L200
Which pickup truck is best for driving around the city?
Nissan Navara definitely more comfortable in the city thanks to:
- Smaller turning radius (5.8 m versus 6.3 m for the L200)
- Softer suspension that absorbs potholes better
- Quieter cabin (3-4 dB quieter at 60 km/h)
- Better handling in the parking lot
However, keep in mind that in traffic jams L200 may be more economical - its engine pulls better at low speeds.
Is it possible to put gas on these pickups?
Technically yes, but:
- Navara with biturbo engine not recommended switch to gas due to the risk of turbine overheating
- L200 Tolerates HBOT better, but requires installation special nozzles and ECU reconfiguration (from 80 thousand rubles)
- Both pickups lose up to 10% of power on gas
- The warranty is canceled when installing HBO
Savings on fuel will be about 30-40%, but the payback for the equipment will start from 100 thousand kilometers.
Which pickup truck is more reliable on the secondary market?
On the used car market Mitsubishi L200 is considered a more reliable choice for the following reasons:
- Simpler design (less electronics)
- Cheaper spare parts (on average 25-30%)
- More durable engine (cast iron block versus aluminum block in Navara)
- Fewer problems with frame corrosion (under equal operating conditions)
However, when purchasing L200 older than 2015, be sure to check:
- Condition of the springs (often “tired” after 150 thousand km)
- Play in the steering rack (typical problem)
- System operation 4WD (the transfer case may jam)
Which pickup truck is best for installing a camper?
For overlanding and installation of residential modules is better suited Mitsubishi L200 for the following reasons:
- More durable frame (withstands heavy loads)
- Spring suspension better tolerates constant weight on the roof
- More mounting points in the body for securing equipment
- Simpler electrics (easier to modify for autonomous power supply)
However, Navara there is an advantage in comfort - the independent suspension better dampens vibrations from a heavy camper off-road.
Best option: L200 with reinforced springs and additional shock absorbers.
How long do these pickups last if used properly?
Subject to the maintenance regulations and the use of high-quality consumables:
- Nissan Navara: 400-500 thousand km before engine overhaul
- Mitsubishi L200: 500-600 thousand km (cast iron block is more wear-resistant)
Critical nodes limiting the resource:
- Navara: turbine (150-200 thousand km), particulate filter (200 thousand km)
- For L200: fuel injection pump (250-300 thousand km), clutch (180-220 thousand km)
Record holders among owners:
- L200 with mileage 800 thousand km (Japan, taxi)
- Navara with 650 thousand km mileage (Australia, farming)