Sales of crew cab pick-ups are on the increase writes Suzanne Keane MITSUBISHI L200 Reassuringly the new Mitsubishi L200 retains it’s the iconic styling of the previous version. The 2.4 diesel engine produces 181PS and 430Nm torque and with braked towing capacity of 3,100kg it’s certainly a practical work­horse. The bed of the L200 may be slightly smaller than others tested but overall the Mitsubishi is the most compact of the crew cabs driven and at 1,815mm wide is quite easy to manoeuvre in small spaces. Inside the cabin you’ll find a 6.1” touch­screen with plenty of connectivity built into a basic but practical dashboard. There’s plenty of room for five and a hidden stor­age space behind the rear seats is an ideal spot for keeping valuable tools. On the road a lane departure warning system alerts of any passing dangers and the manual version will consume 6.6l/100km while the automatic model will use 7.2l/100km. Mitsubishi L200 pricing starts at €33,250 including VAT for a double cab pickup although there is also a single cab “business” version available starting at €29,950. The model tested was a 5-speed automatic which costs €36,450 and comes with a 5 year or 100,000km warranty. While the L200 may be fitted with a high level of specification as standard the test car also came with the optional sporty looking bed cover which will set you back an extra €2,850 ex VAT.   VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK At 1,954mm wide the Amarok certainly is imposing but with a reversing camera and park­ing sensors all round it’s not difficult to manoeuvre. Despite having a slightly more industri­al look than the other cabins once you’re behind the wheel the Alcanatara seats are quite comfortable for long journeys and there are numerous 12v sockets for charging more than one device at a time. On the road the 2.0L diesel 180bhp engine has plenty of torque (400Nm) but when the bed is empty it does feel a little unpre­dictable on bends – however the driving dynamics are hugely improved with just a little weight added in the back so if you generally travel with a toolbox it shouldn’t be an issue. Volkswagen’s Amarok starts at €37,470 including VAT. All models have double cabs and sales have increased by 15.5pc when you compare the first quarter of 2015 to 2016. The Amarok...