Which Mitsubishi L300 Version Should You Buy?
The Mitsubishi L300 choice depends primarily on engine, transmission and drivetrain. The first-generation Minivan, produced from 1979 to 1986, offers one listed version: the diesel 2.4 MT with 75 hp, 147 Nm, a 5-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. The second-generation Minivan, produced from 1987 to 1998, expands the catalogue to 14 versions, of which 12 are detailed here.
The Mitsubishi L300 choice depends primarily on engine, transmission and drivetrain. The first-generation Minivan, produced from 1979 to 1986, offers one listed version: the diesel 2.4 MT with 75 hp, 147 Nm, a 5-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. The second-generation Minivan, produced from 1987 to 1998, expands the catalogue to 14 versions, of which 12 are detailed here. Its 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT Gasoline versions produce 91 hp and 151 Nm; the 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT Gasoline versions deliver 115 hp and 183 Nm; and the 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT Diesel versions make 85 hp and 200 Nm. Second-generation buyers can choose RWD or AWD, while all listed engines are naturally aspirated.
Mitsubishi L300 generations compared
The first-generation Mitsubishi L300 ran from 1979 to 1986 as a Minivan and has one listed modification. Its 2.4 MT uses a 2,346 cc Diesel engine, a 5-speed Manual transmission and RWD. With 75 hp at 4,200 rpm and 147 Nm at 2,500 rpm, it develops about 32.0 hp per litre. Its engine is an Inline 4-cylinder unit with 2 valves per cylinder and No boost.
The second-generation Mitsubishi L300 ran from 1987 to 1998, also as a Minivan. The data records 14 modifications and provides specifications for 12 of them. Compared with the earlier 2.4 MT Diesel, every detailed second-generation engine has more power: 85 hp, 91 hp or 115 hp rather than 75 hp. Maximum torque ranges from 151 Nm to 200 Nm rather than 147 Nm, and AWD joins RWD as a drivetrain choice. Automatic versions with 4 gears also appear alongside 5-speed Manual versions.
Mitsubishi L300 engine specs and version comparison
Repeated names in the table represent different RWD and AWD configurations. The drive column distinguishes them; where both drive and transmission are identical, the database specifications shown are the same.
| Generation | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 2.4 MT | 75 hp | 147 Nm | 2,346 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second | 2.0 MT | 91 hp | 151 Nm | 1,997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second | 2.0 MT | 91 hp | 151 Nm | 1,997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second | 2.0 AT | 91 hp | 151 Nm | 1,997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second | 2.0 AT | 91 hp | 151 Nm | 1,997 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second | 2.4 AT | 115 hp | 183 Nm | 2,351 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second | 2.4 MT | 115 hp | 183 Nm | 2,351 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second | 2.4 AT | 115 hp | 183 Nm | 2,351 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second | 2.4 MT | 115 hp | 183 Nm | 2,351 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second | 2.5 AT | 85 hp | 200 Nm | 2,477 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second | 2.5 MT | 85 hp | 200 Nm | 2,477 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second | 2.5 MT | 85 hp | 200 Nm | 2,477 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second | 2.5 AT | 85 hp | 200 Nm | 2,477 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
The second-generation 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT Gasoline versions have the highest specific output at about 48.9 hp per litre. The 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT Gasoline versions produce about 45.6 hp per litre. The second-generation 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT Diesel versions make about 34.3 hp per litre, while the first-generation 2.4 MT produces about 32.0 hp per litre.
For maximum power, the second-generation 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT are the clear choices. Their 115 hp output exceeds the second-generation 2.0 versions by 24 hp, the second-generation Diesel versions by 30 hp and the first-generation 2.4 MT by 40 hp. Their 183 Nm is 32 Nm above the 2.0 Gasoline engine but 17 Nm below the second-generation Diesel.
For maximum torque, choose a second-generation 2.5 MT or 2.5 AT. Its 200 Nm peak is 17 Nm above the 2.4 Gasoline engine, 49 Nm above the 2.0 Gasoline engine and 53 Nm above the first-generation Diesel. It also reaches maximum torque at 2,000 rpm, compared with 3,000 rpm for the 2.0 Gasoline versions and 3,500 rpm for the 2.4 Gasoline versions.
Mitsubishi L300 performance, mpg and fuel economy
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any listed Mitsubishi L300 version. Top speed is also not measured for every version. City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption and combined fuel consumption are not measured across both generations, so an mpg figure cannot be calculated from this catalogue data. CO₂ output and environmental class are not measured for any listed version.
The available power and torque figures still permit a direct mechanical comparison. The first-generation 2.4 MT produces 75 hp at 4,200 rpm and 147 Nm at 2,500 rpm. In the second generation, the 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT Diesel versions produce 85 hp at 4,200 rpm and 200 Nm at 2,000 rpm; the 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT Gasoline versions make 91 hp at 5,500 rpm and 151 Nm at 3,000 rpm; and the 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT Gasoline versions deliver 115 hp at 5,000 rpm and 183 Nm at 3,500 rpm.
Mitsubishi L300 dimensions, weight and capacity
Overall length, width, height and interior dimensions are not measured in the supplied data for either Mitsubishi L300 generation. Gross weight, payload or weight capacity, and wheel sizes are also not measured for any listed version.
The first-generation 2.4 MT has kerb weight, ground clearance and fuel-tank capacity listed as not measured. Its front suspension is Independent, spring, its rear suspension is not measured, its front brakes are Disc, and its rear brakes are not measured.
The second-generation 2.0 MT has a measured kerb weight of 1,240 kg in both RWD and AWD form, equal to about 13.6 kg per horsepower. The second-generation 2.5 MT also has a measured kerb weight of 1,240 kg in both RWD and AWD form, equal to about 14.6 kg per horsepower. The 2.0 MT is therefore 1.0 kg per horsepower lighter by this calculation. Kerb weight for both 2.0 AT versions and both 2.5 AT versions is not measured.
Among the second-generation 2.4 Gasoline versions, the 2.4 AT RWD weighs 1,460 kg, or about 12.7 kg per horsepower. The 2.4 MT RWD weighs 1,490 kg, or about 13.0 kg per horsepower. The 2.4 MT AWD weighs 1,630 kg, or about 14.2 kg per horsepower, while the 2.4 AT AWD weighs 1,760 kg, or about 15.3 kg per horsepower. Within the measured 2.4 range, AWD adds 140 kg to the 2.4 MT and 300 kg to the 2.4 AT when each is compared with its RWD counterpart.
Ground clearance is 180 mm for the second-generation 2.4 MT RWD and 2.4 AT RWD, rising by 30 mm to 210 mm for the corresponding AWD versions. Every listed 2.0 and 2.5 version has 205 mm of ground clearance. All detailed second-generation versions have a 56-litre fuel tank.
Every detailed second-generation version uses Independent, spring front suspension, Ventilated disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes. The 2.0 and 2.5 versions have Independent, spring rear suspension. The 2.4 versions instead use Dependent, leaf spring rear suspension.
Which Mitsubishi L300 version should you buy?
Choose the second-generation 2.4 AT or 2.4 MT if power is the priority. Both provide the catalogue maximum of 115 hp and 183 Nm. Between the measured RWD choices, the 2.4 AT RWD is 30 kg lighter than the 2.4 MT RWD, while the transmission decision is between a 4-speed Automatic and a 5-speed Manual.
Choose the second-generation 2.5 AT or 2.5 MT Diesel if torque is the priority. All four drivetrain and transmission combinations deliver the range-leading 200 Nm at 2,000 rpm, together with 85 hp. RWD and AWD are available with either the 4-speed Automatic or the 5-speed Manual gearbox.
Choose the second-generation 2.0 MT or 2.0 AT for the smallest listed second-generation engine. Its 1,997 cc Gasoline unit develops 91 hp and 151 Nm. This is 6 hp more but 49 Nm less than the 2,477 cc Diesel. Both RWD and AWD can be paired with a 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic transmission.
For an AWD L300 4x4, the most powerful choice is the second-generation 2.4 MT or 2.4 AT with 115 hp. These versions also have the greatest measured ground clearance at 210 mm. The AWD 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT combine 91 hp with 205 mm, while the AWD 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT combine 85 hp and 200 Nm with 205 mm.
Choose the first-generation 2.4 MT only when the earlier generation itself is the deciding requirement. It is the sole listed first-generation version and provides a 2,346 cc Diesel engine, 75 hp, 147 Nm, a 5-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. Prices, vehicles for sale and market-specific specifications are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support a version recommendation here.