Every technology of Mitsubishi Triton usually lasts round 10 years, which suggests we’re near the top of this one.
Its successor has already been spied, carrying bluffer, boxier styling and anticipated to supply some type of electrification.
The present mannequin might have obtained a big replace in 2019, however it’s exhibiting its age within the ute section in opposition to the likes of the lately redesigned Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50.
However Mitsubishi has cleverly positioned the Triton barely under these automobiles, permitting its extra reasonably priced ute to change into usually the third or fourth best-selling ute in Australia.
Sadly for Mitsubishi, it now faces credible threats from under. The SsangYong Musso is an oft missed rival from Korea, whereas two Chinese language utes are gunning for the Triton: the LDV T60, which now affords close to class-leading energy and torque, whereas the GWM Ute affords daring styling and a low value.
Does the Triton nonetheless have what it takes to face out in opposition to this wave of newer and cheaper rivals alike?
How a lot does the Mitsubishi Triton GLS price?
As anticipated of a ute on this section, the Mitsubishi Triton is obtainable with a variety of variants with a selection of ute or cab-chassis configurations, rear- or four-wheel drive, and Single Cab, Membership Cab or Double Cab physique types.
We’ve put the GLS to the take a look at. It sits in direction of the very prime quality, slotting in beneath the sportier-looking GSR; a limited-edition Sport can also be out there for 2023.
Accessible solely with four-wheel drive, the GLS could be had with a handbook transmission however we’ve bought auto on take a look at. It’s priced from $51,490 earlier than on-road prices, although ours included the Deluxe possibility – out there solely on the auto – which brings the worth to $54,940 earlier than on-roads.
Premium paint provides $740 apart from White Diamond, which is $940.
Sans the Deluxe possibility, its listing value is sort of precisely $10,000 lower than an Ford Ranger XLT, Isuzu D-Max LS-U, Mazda BT-50 GT or Toyota HiLux SR5, although every of those rival fashions could be had with fewer creature comforts and but nonetheless extra energy and torque than the Triton at a extra palatable value.
Coming in at an much more palatable value is the LDV T60, which even in Luxe auto guise prices solely $43,674 drive-away. A top-spec GWM Ute Cannon-X is $45,490 drive-away, whereas a SsangYong Musso Final is $42,090 drive-away.
By way of pricing, then, the Triton is both a cushty compromise or sitting in some type of no man’s land, relying in your viewpoint.
What’s the Mitsubishi Triton GLS like on the within?
With a easy, simple and largely ergonomically pleasant structure, the Triton’s inside nonetheless stacks up nicely within the section. Maybe most significantly, all of it feels sturdily assembled.
The place it reveals its age essentially the most is in its infotainment. After briefly becoming an aftermarket head unit, the GLS is now again to getting Mitsubishi’s SDA1 system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
The brand new Ford Ranger has embarrassed a lot of the section in a single day with its higher-tech system, and the Triton falls additional behind a few of its different rivals.
There’s no manufacturing facility satellite tv for pc navigation, for instance, which isn’t any good in the event you’re in a regional space with no reception with which to make use of Apple Maps or Google Maps. Despite the fact that we don’t take care of the associated Pajero Sport’s navigation, a minimum of it has it. Why is it not in its ute sibling?
At 7.0 inches, the display can also be on the smaller aspect for this section and its graphics are dated, although the shortcut buttons are helpful. Digicam footage isn’t the worst available on the market, however it’s a bit blurry and hazy.
The local weather controls are located good and excessive on the centre stack, although the passenger seatbelt map is a dated contact – that is often one thing now discovered within the instrument cluster – and the presence of a number of button blanks on a penultimate trim stage is galling.
Transfer somewhat decrease and there’s some enticing metal-look trim, sparing us from the sight of extra gloss black trim, whereas the edges of the centre console are padded with leatherette.
That’s a considerate contact far too many manufacturers neglect to make use of, although this may be present in lesser Tritons and there hasn’t been a lot accomplished to tell apart the GLS from these cheaper fashions.
A handbook handbrake is discovered on the centre tunnel, subsequent to the 4WD mode selector.
By way of storage, there are bottle holders within the doorways that match 1L bottles, plus an acceptably sized glove compartment and centre-console bin.
The leather-based seats mightn’t look or really feel exceptionally plush however they proved comfy over lengthy distances, although they’ve solely two-stage (not three-stage) heating. They alter for peak, whereas the steering wheel tilts and telescopes.
The Deluxe pack’s leather-based door inserts enhance the atmosphere, although the intensive use of orange backlighting is a bit final decade and the mouse-fur headliner is cheap-looking if frequent for the section.
The digital instrument cluster discovered atop the Pajero Sport vary isn’t right here, leaving the Triton with the identical garbage previous journey laptop Mitsubishi has been utilizing for years with no digital speedometer and a much less dependable remaining vary indicator than rivals.
With two grownup males and a extra petite grownup feminine within the rear, three-abreast consolation was good; with three burly blokes, it might be a distinct story.
One passenger additionally noticed again help was good, although the rear bench is barely low and the ground excessive, resulting in a extra knees-up seating place.
The centre seat is raised barely and the passenger has to straddle a raised driveline hump, however it’s not too uncomfortable. If mentioned seat is unoccupied, you possibly can fold down a centre armrest.
As an alternative of vents on the rear of the centre console, the Triton encompasses a roof-mounted rear air circulator and vents to make sure airflow to the rear. Our passengers didn’t have any complaints about air movement, although it was a cold week in Melbourne and never a sizzling summer season’s day in Birdsville.
There are two top-tether and two ISOFIX anchor factors for baby seats again right here, plus two USB-A shops, map pockets and a small, pretty ineffective storage cubby.
The Triton’s tray measures 1520mm lengthy, 475mm deep, and 1470mm vast (1085mm between the wheel arches).
That’s round 50mm shorter than a HiLux or D-Max and 60-135mm narrower, although the distinction in width between the wheel arches is just 25-40mm in contrast with these rivals.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Whereas most rivals provide two or three totally different engines, your entire 2023 Triton vary makes use of the identical powerplant.
It’s a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 133kW of energy and 430Nm of torque. In GLS guise, this may be had with both a six-speed handbook or six-speed computerized transmission.
GLS and GSR fashions obtain a extra superior Tremendous Choose II four-wheel drive system with a full-time mode you should use on pavement, in addition to a rear differential lock.
The Triton outpunches the GWM Ute (120kW/400Nm) however is down in energy and torque in comparison with the Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50 and Nissan Navara, all of which produce 140kW and 450Nm with their top-spec engines. The Ford Ranger, LDV T60 and Toyota HiLux are extra highly effective nonetheless.
Braked towing capability is 3100kg, lower than the 3500kg claims of rivals just like the Ranger and D-Max.
Mitsubishi claims mixed cycle gasoline financial system within the GLS auto is 8.6 litres per 100km, or 0.7L/100km thirstier than the handbook.
In freeway driving we usually noticed round 8L/100km, whereas in rush-hour site visitors it hovered round 14L/100km. Over a loop consisting of inner-city, suburban and freeway driving, nevertheless, we averaged 9.4L/100km.
How does the Mitsubishi Triton GLS drive?
I’ve spent loads of time behind the wheel of Mitsubishi Tritons, and recalled them as being usually innocuous – not the quickest or smoothest of utes, however not often objectionable. A weekend spent criss-crossing nation Victoria disabused me of that notion.
Should you’re the kind of proprietor who likes to load up their dual-cab ute with the household for a drive by way of the nation, bear in mind the Triton merely isn’t as comfy because the likes of the Ranger and D-Max.
To wit, nothing on this section is sort of as comfy as the standard SUV, however the Triton’s trip consolation is worse than key rivals.
The Triton will get jostled about on nation roads, heaving over undulations and sometimes feeling unsettled, even over roads that don’t seem all that scarred or uneven. That’s with 5 adults on board, if an empty tub.
The rear feels a bit skippy on some surfaces however on smoother, flatter roads, the Triton settles down. Growth joints on bridges are keenly felt, nevertheless, if not with a crash then with a thump and a wobble. It takes a second for the Triton to settle.
The cabin is pretty hushed at freeway speeds and it’s decently refined at idle, although there’s the ever-present diesel clatter typical of automobiles on this section.
The Triton’s suite of security expertise is trying considerably sparse in opposition to newer rivals like the most recent Ranger, D-Max, BT-50 and GWM Ute.
There’s no lane-keep help not to mention any type of lane centring, neither is there adaptive cruise management regardless of the latter being discovered on the associated Pajero Sport, which suggests these newer rivals are simpler to drive on the freeway than the Triton.
Whereas I’ve griped in regards to the heavy steering within the Pajero Sport, this stage of weighting feels extra suited to the Triton. It makes it a bit extra of a handful to park than some rivals and it does really feel a bit imprecise, however it isn’t objectionable.
The transmission has no downside discovering the right gear, rendering these beautiful paddle shifters moderately extraneous.
The complete-time four-wheel drive system is one thing a lot of rivals can’t match, and provides you a 4WD Auto mode you should use on the bitumen in inclement climate. Even on some slicker roads in two-wheel drive mode, the rear didn’t change into a handful, however we nonetheless welcome the choice to knock it into 4WD when it begins pouring or snowing.
The Triton’s turbo-diesel could also be down on energy and torque in comparison with some rivals, however there’s nonetheless sufficient of the low-end grunt anticipated on this class. It could actually get out of its personal means, although it by no means feels fast.
What do you get?
Triton GLS highlights:
LED headlights, daytime operating lightsKeyless entry and start6-speaker sound systemFront parking sensorsAutomatic high-beamPower-folding exterior mirrorsDual-zone local weather controlBlind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertPaddle shifters
The $3000 Deluxe possibility provides:
Energy driver’s seatHeated entrance seatsLeather upholsteryLeather door insertsSurround-view cameras
Options carried over from lesser Tritons embrace:
Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel and shifterClimate management air-conditioningRoof-mounted rear air circulator7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWired Apple CarPlay, Android AutoDAB+ digital radioAutomatic LED headlightsRain-sensing wipersChrome door handles, mirrorsPrivacy glassFront fog lightsSide stepsRear differential lock
Whereas the Triton GLS’s function listing stacks up nicely in opposition to equally priced variants within the HiLux, Ranger and D-Max line-ups, it’s not as beneficiant as that of the top-spec GWM Ute and Musso.
The GWM Ute Cannon-X, for instance, affords a wi-fi telephone charger, digital instrument show and power-adjustable passenger seat, whereas a Musso Final will get ventilated entrance seats and a heated steering wheel, and with the Luxurious Pack ups the ante with Nappa leather-based upholstery, heated rear seats and a sunroof.
Is the Mitsubishi Triton GLS protected?
When the Mitsubishi Triton was examined by ANCAP in 2015, it obtained a ranking of 5 stars.
That ranking was primarily based on a frontal offset rating of 15.22 out of 16 and a aspect influence rating of 16 out of 16. Whiplash and pedestrian safety have been rated Good and Acceptable, respectively.
All 2023 Mitsubishi Triton fashions come commonplace with entrance, aspect and curtain airbags, in addition to a driver’s knee airbag and anti-lock brakes.
Virtually all include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with forward-collision warning, in addition to lane departure warning. The GLS has these, plus blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Options absent from the Triton however present in key rivals embrace lane-keep help, lane centring, site visitors signal recognition, and adaptive cruise management.
How a lot does the Mitsubishi Triton GLS price to run?
Mitsubishi’s commonplace guarantee covers 5 years or 100,000km, however as long as you come to certainly one of its dealerships at every service this extends to 10 years or 200,000km.
Servicing at dealerships additionally allows you to reap the benefits of Mitsubishi’s 10 years of capped-price servicing. Upkeep within the Triton is required each 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.
Service pricing:
Service 1: $399Service 2: $499Service 3: $499Service 4: $699Service 5: $499Service 6: $699Service 7: $499Service 8: $999Service 9: $599Service 10: $699
Service pricing is common for the section, although the Triton boasts the longest availability of capped-price servicing. Over the primary 4 years, it’ll price $2096, whereas a Ranger prices $1316, a GWM Ute $1340, and a D-Max $1996.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mitsubishi Triton GLS
The Mitsubishi Triton isn’t essentially the most highly effective ute in its section, neither is it the latest. It’s not essentially the most reasonably priced, nor does it have the most recent in expertise.
Its infotainment feels outdated and lacks embedded satellite tv for pc navigation, it’s lacking a few of the driver help options present in newer rivals resembling adaptive cruise management, and its trip high quality is mediocre.
What it arguably does have is a extra sturdy popularity than the likes of GWM, LDV and SsangYong, even when these manufacturers have continued to enhance their choices through the years.
With a extra intensive vendor community than any of these manufacturers plus a protracted guarantee and capped-price servicing scheme, that might be sufficient to get consumers to go for the Triton over its extra reasonably priced challengers.
It could be down on energy and torque in opposition to the likes of a D-Max or Ranger, however the Triton affords extra equipment for much less cash plus a classy four-wheel drive system, making it a worthy various to those pricier rivals.
It could be within the twilight years of its life, however we reckon – potential provide chain points apart – the present Triton is more likely to keep in direction of the highest of the gross sales charts.
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