Mitsubishi L300

For more than 40 years, the Mitsubishi L300 has been a fixture on Philippine roads.

The market for commercial vehicles, especially pick-ups in the Philippines, has grown quite rapidly. The high demand for commercial vehicles to meet business needs has prompted several manufacturers to present pick-up cars. This also seems to have been read very well by Mitsubishi when it first presented the Mitsubishi L300 in 1981. And for more than four decades, the Mitsubishi L300 has maintained its existence as the people's choice of multifunctional vehicle. One thing that is interesting, since the first appearance until now, practically no significant changes in the design of the car that is known to be tough.

It has witnessed the end of the disco era, the ouster of a dictator, the creation of a new Philippine constitution, the Asian Financial Crisis and the rise of the Internet and TikTok. But through it all, its ruggedness, utility and simplicity have made it a darling for business owners, fleet buyers and even action-movie baddies on the big screen.

However, the arrival of newer, more efficient and safer light commercial vehicles means that the L300, with a design that is more than 50 years old, may not remain the top choice for long.

History

The L300, also known globally as the second-generation Mitsubishi Delica, was launched in 1979. Local production began in the 1980s and continues today at the Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

It has replaced many cab-over commercial vehicles from the 1970s like the Mitsubishi Cimarron and the venerable Ford Fiera. The L300 also has also had minor styling changes throughout the decades, but that boxy silhouette has always stood the test of time.

In 2012, the L300 Versa Van, which was a favorite of Filipino families and shuttle operators for its generous seating capacity, ceased production after 25 years. These have been replaced in the market by newer models like the Toyota Hiace, the Hyundai Staria and the Nissan Urvan NV350.

The model had a major update in 2019 to comply with the government’s Euro IV emission standards for new vehicles. Its legendary 2.5-liter, single-cam, 8-valve 4D56 diesel engine was replaced with the 2.2-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve 4N14 turbodiesel engine producing 99 PS and 200 Nm of torque.

Price and Variant

As of September 2022, the 2022 Mitsubishi L300 is available in a wide range of body styles. The Mitsubishi L300 price in the Philippines is at PhP 813,000 for the plain cab and chassis. Find the best price by requesting quotes from Mitsubishi dealers.

The Mitsubishi L300 Exterior is iconic not because of its aesthetic appeal, but because of the sheer longevity of its appearance.

It is an exemplar of form following function – a light commercial workhorse that exists in a world where low running costs, payload capacity, reliability and practicality reign supreme. Even in an era where a facelift is as easy as getting a cup of coffee, the L300 has steadfastly and unashamedly looked the same over the last 40 years.

Front design

Lower down, you get additional turn signals and a snazzy front air dam, which distinguishes the turbodiesel models from earlier L300s.

Side and Rear

The side and rear profile of the L300 is down to what body you choose to put on. It can be an ordinary delivery van or an air-conditioned passenger shuttle. All variants come with 14-inch steel wheels with 185-millimeter, 8-ply commercial tires.

Dimensions

Because it is designed to get around Philippine truck bans, which apply to commercial vehicles with at least six wheels, the four-wheeled L300 isn’t as massive as most would think. Dimensions are as follow:

Length	4,440 mm
Width	1,695 mm
Height	1,915 mm
Wheelbase	2,350 mm

Another helpful number is payload capacity. The L300 can carry up to 1,215 kilograms.

The interior of L300, step inside the L300 and you are immediately brought back to the era of bell-bottom pants, Donna Summer and sparkly balls in dance clubs.

The first thing that sticks out when you put your hands on the two-spoke urethane steering wheel is the position of the steering column. Because of its cab-over design, it is nearly 60 degrees from the horizontal.

Other anachronisms are the column-mounted shifter and the parking brake handle that sprouts out from under the dashboard. These help make a clear and flat floor in the cab so that the driver and two passengers can sit comfortably.

Much like the exterior, the dashboard itself has remained largely unchanged from the late-1970s. It has rectangular air-conditioning vents, simple knobs and switches for the air-con controls and a 1-DIN radio all within easy reach.

Safety Features

If you’re looking for airbags, collision mitigation braking or even anti-lock brakes, you will get none of these things in the L300.

You do get a tough body built on one of the longest-lasting ladder frames in the business. And, of course, three-point seatbelts are standard for the driver and passenger.

Convenience Features

The L300 has everything you need in a Philippine commercial vehicle.

Air-conditioning and a radio (with USB and a 3.5-millimeter jack) are standard, with air-conditioning also an option for rear bodies meant for carrying passengers.

Infotainment Features

This Mitsubishi L300 is equipped with a CD mp3 player and AM/FM radio. The sound produced is quite kicking and there is also a USB port that will make it easier for drivers to play songs via flash. the features provided are quite limited.

Storage Features

Occupants in the cab will find quite a lot of places to put their things. The biggest space is the parcel shelf mounted under the dashboard.

Engine and Transmission

The L300 engine got its largest upgrade in this department over its long production run.

In 2019, the model was relaunched with a 2.2-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve turbodiesel engine producing 99 PS and 200 Nm of torque. This is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission that drives the rear wheels.

This significantly improved the L300’s performance, especially when compared to the hardy but woefully underpowered 4D56 diesel engine. The added punch also means the L300 can carry heavy loads or numerous passengers without struggling too much.

Driving Characteristics

Things like the sharpness of the brakes or the crispness of the steering at corner entry are completely irrelevant here. The double-wishbone front suspension may sound sophisticated, but the power-assisted, recirculating-ball steering means the L300 is slow to respond around the bends.

However, the rear leaf-spring suspension makes it perfect for hauling almost anything, but at the cost of a bouncy rear end when the vehicle is unladen.

Fuel Consumption

Driven gently, the more-efficient, turbodiesel L300 should yield nearly 10 km/l in city driving and around 14-15 km/l on the expressway. However, this will all depend on how much stuff you’re hauling.

The Mitsubishi L300 is the classic example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It remains competitive in the light commercial vehicle segment, standing up well to other cab-over competitors. These include the Isuzu Traviz, which offers a greater payload of 1,660 kg, and the Hyundai H-100, which has a more ergonomic interior.

However, both of these models are also more expensive than the L300. But pick-up-based, front-engined commercial vehicles are perhaps the best alternatives to the venerable L300. These modern designs offer vastly improved safety, comfort and refinement for nearly the same price. Most notable of these are the Isuzu D-Max, the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi’s own Strada.