There was a time when pretty much the only things you’d worry about if you were buying a pick-up truck were load capacity, towing ability and whether or not it can take day after day of brutal punishment and still come back for more.

Refinement, comfort and style mattered a lot less than durability, strength and capacity.

We’re a much more discerning lot these days and as off-roaders, soft-roaders, crossovers and SUVs have become more mainstream, so has the humble pick-up.

Consequently the focus has shifted from building rugged, go-anywhere, do-anything vehicles to building rugged, go-anywhere, do-anything vehicles that can carry a family of five in comfort and, to some degree, in style.

Mitsubishi’s Series 5 L200, with its rugged good looks and five-seater double cab, is primarily a working vehicle – the rear leaf springs are testament to its humble origins – but generous equipment levels, spacious cabin and good refinement is proof of Mitsubishi’s understanding that many of its pick-ups will, at the very least, be asked to perform the dual role of working vehicle and family car.

There are four trim levels – 4Life, Titan, Warrior and Barbarian – and all models are equipped with air conditioning, bi-xenon headlamps, selectable 4x4 system and a comprehensive array of safety equipment that includes seven airbags, traction control and Trailer Stability Assist.

Titan spec models add 17in alloys, privacy glass, DAB radio, lane departure warning and Mitsubishi’s Super Select four-wheel-drive system.

The L200 is a reasonably compact vehicle – for a pick-up – and is 134mm narrower than VW’s Amarok (which I’ll be reviewing next week). Don’t be fooled, however, this is still a very capable and capacious machine.

The load bay is 1,470mm square and 475mm deep. There are six lashing points and grooves cut into the load bay floor can be used to separate cargo. A step is cut into the rear bumper on higher spec models and a new mechanism has been installed to prevent tailgate dropping down when it’s unlocked.

Barbarians are even more civilised with soft-opening tailgates that gently lower rather than slamming open.

The manual, which I drove, will carry 1,045kg. Automatic versions 5kg more. The L200 will also pull a braked trailer of up to 3,100kg offering a total capacity of 4,090kg, a figure no rival can match.

Under the bonnet of all L200s is the 2.4-litre MIVEC diesel engine and its common-rail injection, variable valve timing and aluminium construction help it set the bar high on performance and efficiency grounds.

All models get 178bhp and 430Nm bar the 4Life, which has to make do with 151bhp and 380Nm, and certainly the higher power output made for surprisingly potent performance. There’s enough torque to get the rear wheels spinning up from a standing start (entirely accidental, I promise) even on dry tarmac, although that won’t help you hit 62mph in the claimed 10.4sec.

Press on hard and you’re left in no doubt that this is primarily a working vehicle – the diesel clatters away audibly under heavy acceleration – but once you’ve settled down at cruising speeds it’s a very refined unit and noise levels in the cabin are commendably low.

The ride is composed, although particularly poor surfaces with large cracks and craters can send shudders through the cabin, and there’s admirable control of lateral movement through corners despite its tall profile. There’s a bit of bounce present when there’s no weight in the back but it does little to diminish the ride quality and, over smooth roads, the L200 holds its own against most passenger vehicles.

The steering has a welcome meatiness to it that suits the character of the L200. It’s reasonably responsive around the straight ahead and doesn’t disappoint the fingertips when it comes to trying to establish what’s going on under the front wheels.

The six-speed manual is slick, with a nice short throw.

The cabin is spacious and durable and, in the Barbarian’s case, bedecked in leather. Some of the switchgear looks a little dated and the quality of the plastics isn’t quite up to scratch but, like Rocky Balboa, the interior could take a serious beating and still come back for more.

There’s plenty of room to sit three adults across the rear bench, I’ve got two sisters and a brother-in-law who will gladly act as witnesses to that fact if required, with generous head and leg room.

There’s a distinct lack of storage space with just a bin between the seats, small door pockets and a surprisingly small glovebox that isn’t that far from living down to its name.

The instrument cluster is nice and clear and the controls appropriately chunky. The Super Select 4x4 control dial – which offers four modes of drive – sits behind the gear lever while your chosen mode is indicated on simple black and white multifunction display between the speedo and rev counter.

There’s a large touchscreen display in the centre of the fascia. Although it’s not very well integrated into the dash, looking like a bit of an afterthought, it works well.

There’s no disguising the fact that the L200 is a working vehicle and it will fulfil that single purpose exceptionally well. However, should you also need reasonably comfortable, efficient and spacious accommodation, the Mitsubishi has got you covered on that front too. There are various load bay covers that add to its appeal and ability as fully-fledged family transport.

If you can live with the dated switchgear and lack of cabin storage – and let’s be honest, it's unlikely to be a deal-breaker – then the L200’s versatility makes it a strong contender in this class.

Mitsubishi L200 Series 5 Barbarian Double Cab

Price: £23,799

Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC common rail with intercooler and turbocharger

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Max power: 178bhp

Max torque: 317lbft @2,500rpm

Max speed: 111mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 10.4sec

Urban: 34.9mpg

Extra urban: 49.6mpg

Combined: 42.8mpg

Emissions (CO2): 173g/km

For more information visit www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk