14 Feb 07
Anyway, engine removal is just the sort of manly task you hope you might find yourself doing in the L200, despite the fact that this leather-trimmed Elegance version - £23,366 complete with 165bhp power upgrade chip, bed liner, armadillo roll top and sports bars (chromed scaffolding across the back) - is a top-of-the-range luxury model for softies who might consider it as an alternative to an SUV or appreciate the 'benefit in kind' tax advantages compared to a conventional saloon or estate of similar price.
You wouldn't expect it to drive like a car - and it doesn't. The ride is on the hard, but not harsh, side of choppy and it doesn't pretend to change direction with huge enthusiasm. Its dynamic qualities will be familiar to SUV owners, and although the turning circle is the best in its class, the L200 is not a vehicle I relish taking into crowded municipal car parks.
Still, if there's a long trip to be done, our fleet of ageing Mercedes is put to one side in favour of the dry, relaxed, reliable and thrifty (34mpg) L200. I've taken the mileage from about 50 to 2,000 miles in six weeks.
None of those miles have been off road and I seriously doubt that I will ever use four-wheel drive in anger - although I do mount kerbs with more abandon than I used to.
The combination of heft, an automatic 'box and an engine that only comes alive at 2,000rpm makes the L200, even with the power upgrade, feel a bit woolly initially. However, once you've built up some momentum it's actually quite lively, with a smooth and effective kickdown.
