The brand new-generation Mitsubishi Triton is an enormous deal for the Japanese carmaker in Australia because it has traditionally been a sizzling contender within the top-selling ute section.
Competitors is hotter than ever nonetheless and the Triton has loads of robust competitors together with the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara, Toyota HiLux and Volkswagen Amarok, amongst others.
Whereas this new ute doesn’t get the choice of a V6 turbo-diesel like some rivals, nor an electrified powertrain, the Triton will get a brand new Euro 6-certified 2.4-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine that produces 150kW/470Nm and is nearer to section benchmarks.
With the assistance of this extra highly effective bi-turbo diesel engine the Triton now boasts a 3500kg braked towing capability, up 400kg on the previous mannequin and now on par with the likes of the Ranger and HiLux.
The brand new Triton additionally takes a big step ahead when it comes to security expertise, with it crammed to the gills even from the bottom mannequin.
It’s the primary in its section to have entrance cross-traffic alert and driver monitoring, although as you’ll notice additional down the calibration of a few of these methods leaves rather a lot to be desired – although Mitsubishi is releasing a repair.
With all this in thoughts, how does this newest entrant within the dual-cab ute market fare towards its sizzling competitors? Learn alongside to seek out out.
How does the Mitsubishi Triton examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mitsubishi Triton towards equally sized autos.
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Triton
How a lot does the Mitsubishi Triton value?
On take a look at right here is the penultimate variant within the Triton vary, the GLS 4×4 dual-cab ute. Our tester is fitted with the Deluxe Choice pack, in addition to a smattering of real equipment.
The Triton GLS has obtained the biggest value improve out of your complete vary up to now relative to the pre-update mannequin – it’s up $7600.
There are extra Triton variants, together with cab-chassis and manual-equipped fashions, due within the second half of this 12 months.
To see how the Mitsubishi Triton stacks up agains the competitors, take a look at our comparability device.
What’s the Mitsubishi Triton like on the within?
Strolling as much as the Mitsubishi Triton, it has a boxy and imposing silhouette that’s full with a brand new model of the corporate’s ‘Dynamic Protect’ entrance fascia that’s stylistically much like the present Outlander.
There are some giant facet steps and seize handles to assist with stepping into the cabin. You do want to make use of them to get in as a result of it’s a little bit of a climb. That is fairly frequent for high-riding utes.
When you’re in there are some slightly inoffensive-looking seats which can be snug for lengthy journeys and supply sufficient help. Our tester was fitted with the Deluxe Choice pack that provides black leather-appointed upholstery with silver stitching. Fabric seats come as commonplace.
The choice pack additionally provides electrical adjustment for the driving force’s seat with lumbar help. I recognize how a lot the entrance of the seat suggestions as much as help your thighs – long-legged folks will perceive.
The final characteristic the Deluxe Choice pack provides is heated entrance seats which of their highest setting get extremely popular. They get so toasty that I may solely deal with the center setting.
Forward of the driving force is a considerably sporty-looking leather-wrapped steering wheel with perforated sections on all sides. It feels good within the hand, although I want it had a bit extra telescoping adjustment. I felt like I wanted to lean ahead to succeed in it from my desired seating place.
It’s good to have huge logical buttons on the steering wheel which might have the ability to used with gloves on. It took me a bit to recollect which facet of the steering wheel managed what, however in case you owned the ute you’d get used to it fairly shortly.
Behind the steering wheel there’s a familiar-looking instrument cluster. A barely completely different variation is fitted to sure variants of the Outlander, in addition to the Nissan X-Path, Qashqai and Pathfinder.
I recognize how clear and easy-to-read the analogue dials are, although for an almost-flagship ute that’s not a price range providing I nearly anticipate a full digital instrument cluster. There’s a 7.0-inch TFT supervision show nonetheless, which has a spread of informative pages, although lots of them have heaps of destructive area.
One other bugbear with the digital instrument cluster is there are only some informative pages which have a digital speedometer readout. It might be good if it nonetheless featured, even when it was smaller, on different pages.
Shifting throughout there’s an 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s once more shared with a variety of fashions from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Its measurement is par for the course when it comes to its direct rivals but it surely doesn’t transfer the sport ahead just like the Ranger’s giant portrait-oriented touchscreen.
The Triton’s touchscreen consumer interface and menu format is easy and straightforward to know. It’s laborious to get misplaced as a result of even in case you do there’s a bodily ‘Menu’ button that takes you again to the house display screen.
One thing that shocked me is how high-resolution the display screen seems, in addition to how vibrant colors look. Some utes often skimp on this space as a cost-cutting manoeuvre.
As commonplace the Triton comes with each wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay, whereas Android Auto is simply out there in wired kind. With my iPhone 15 Professional Max linked wirelessly I didn’t expertise any dropouts in anyway throughout my testing which is sort of good.
There’s a wi-fi charger on the entrance of the centre tunnel which is a beneficiant measurement and match my plus-size cellphone completely, although it didn’t really cost correctly and cooked my cellphone. That is sometimes an indication of the charging coils within the wi-fi charging pad not aligning correctly together with your cellphone.
I like how simplistic the Triton GLS’s dual-zone local weather management setup is with the big bodily switches to regulate the temperature, and the clearly labelled outsized buttons for different capabilities. You’d have the ability to work together with these simply with gloves on.
Stepping as much as the just about flagship Triton GLS you obtain a spread of sentimental padded surfaces within the cabin over the decrease variants. These embrace the door armrests, centre armrest and the principle a part of the dashboard.
Exterior these areas there are nonetheless loads of tougher plastics, although this is quite common for the section. Utes sometimes have hard-wearing finishes as a result of they’re meant to be workhorses.
Opposite to that is the swathes of piano black on the centre tunnel. I perceive that is meant to look fancy, but it surely will get grubby actually shortly and scratched if you wipe it clear. I a lot choose how the entry-level variations have a carbon-fibre-looking plastic as a substitute.
Disappointingly you miss out on the dashboard-mounted cupholders within the Triton GLS. It’s good to step as much as the flagship GSR trim to get them.
On the centre tunnel there’s a pleasant leather-wrapped gear selector, a handbook handbrake, two decently sized cupholders, and a outstanding dial to manage the ute’s Tremendous Choose 4WD-II system.
When it comes to practicality up entrance there’s an sizeable quantity of space for storing within the centre armrest, plus twin glove containers, sun shades holder, and door bins giant sufficient to suit a bottle and a few paperwork with ease.
Hopping into the second row of the Triton is a good climb, similar to the entrance, although fortunately there are outsized seize handles to make this simpler. When you’re in there’s stadium-style seating that lets you see over the entrance seats, serving to to enhance visibility and alleviate movement illness.
At a leggy 182cm I had satisfactory legroom, good head room and okay toe room. It’s fairly on par for the dual-cab ute section which doesn’t essentially delight itself totally on second-row area.
The 2 outboard seats are snug for lengthy journeys, although the center seat is perched and slender. Kids could be high quality, however squeezing three adults alongside the again is likely to be a pinch.
I actually like how Mitsubishi has retained the roof-mounted air vent system from the previous mannequin that sucks air from the entrance into the rear. It’s not fairly pretty much as good as having correct air vents, however not less than there’s air motion and loads of the time that’s sufficient.
Different second-row facilities embrace a singular USB-A and USB-C port, in addition to a 12V outlet. There are additionally the requisite ISOFIX little one seat anchorages and top-tether factors on the outboard seats.
Out again there’s a big tailgate that sadly isn’t damped to make it simpler to open and shut. The Isuzu D-Max, for instance, lately obtained this as commonplace on all pickup fashions.
The bathtub on the Triton GLS has a liner as commonplace. Decrease grades don’t have a bath liner as commonplace which is one thing to remember in case you put heavy issues in there that might trigger scratches.
It’s value noting the bathtub on the Triton is giant sufficient to accomodate a Euro-sized pallet. That is now fairly frequent for the section.
To see how the Mitsubishi Triton stacks up agains the competitors, take a look at our comparability device.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The whole Triton vary is at the moment powered by a brand new bi-turbo diesel engine that’s up on each energy and torque in comparison with the previous-generation mannequin.
The Triton’s new bi-turbo engine is likely one of the few utes within the section that’s Euro 6-certified. In an effort to cut back CO2 emissions Mitsubishi has fitted an AdBlue system that injects an aqueous urea liquid into the exhaust chamber to seize nitrogen oxides (NOx).
I achieved the noticed 8.6L/100km gasoline consumption determine throughout a 270km mixture of unladen city and freeway driving primarily in two-wheel drive. The most effective common determine I noticed was 6.4L/100km which is excellent for the section.
To see how the Mitsubishi Triton stacks up agains the competitors, take a look at our comparability device.
How does the Mitsubishi Triton drive?
Beginning up the Mitsubishi Triton GLS you press the starter button which is situated down close to the wi-fi charger.
It took me some time to seek out it first up, however I shortly realized. For these taking part in alongside at house it’s in the same location within the Nissan X-Path and Qashqai.
When the brand new 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel engine involves life it has a gruff idle sound. It’s not fairly as loud as some rivals utes, however there are clear agricultural undertones which linger till the engine warms up a bit.
Setting off there’s respectable preliminary acceleration. You’ll probably get the leap on most automobiles on the visitors lights, although it feels simply as punchy as a D-Max 3.0 or Ranger Bi-Turbo, for instance.
Pushing the accelerator just a little tougher makes the engine sound just a little rattly and shouty. It’s a not a very good sound, however many four-cylinder turbo-diesels produce the same noise.
The Triton’s new four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine doesn’t transfer the section ahead just like the previous-generation Amarok V6 did. Its outputs are additionally a far cry away from the present Ranger and Amarok’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel (184kW/600Nm).
There are not any present plans to introduce a extra highly effective V6 engine within the Triton, although Mitsubishi hasn’t dominated it out. The Japanese carmaker additionally hasn’t confirmed if or when the Triton is getting any type of electrification, which is weird given how the model has been a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pioneer for over a decade.
As commonplace your complete Triton vary is at the moment out there with a six-speed computerized transmission. There’s a handbook transmission coming to sure variants later this 12 months.
Whereas this six-speed auto is okay, it feels a bit like a heavy-duty truck transmission that might be just a little extra refined at factors. Like a Roadranger truck transmission, the primary three gears really feel like low-range and the final three gears really feel like freeway gears.
This variation between the 2 theoretical units of gears is noticeable when altering from third to fourth as there’s an enormous clunk. You’ll be able to really feel it much more when downshifting.
One other awkward level in regards to the six-speed auto is if you’re sitting just under 50km/h the engine is revving at an obnoxious 2000rpm and refuses to alter up gears. An analogous factor occurs once more at 70km/h which is irritating as a result of it ruins the inside atmosphere.
A potential resolution Mitsubishi may make use of to negate a lot of these points is so as to add a number of extra gear ratios to the transmission. It already has an eight-speed computerized within the associated Pajero Sport which might theoretically work right here.
The Triton GLS is essentially the most reasonably priced variant to select up Mitsubishi’s Tremendous Choose 4WD II system that enables for four-wheel drive on sealed surfaces. That is not like lesser Triton variants and different utes which can be outfitted with a part-time four-wheel drive system as they’ll solely have four-high (4H) activated on unsealed surfaces because of transmission and differential binding points.
Having full-time four-wheel drive provides a way of safety when travelling on slippery surfaces, although in order for you you’ll be able to nonetheless go away the ute in two-wheel drive to minimise gasoline use.
Controversially the Triton has picked up engine idle stop-start as a part of the new-generation package deal. I do know lots of people dislike this fuel-saving characteristic, however I personally don’t thoughts it as I like the very fact I’m not working the engine pointlessly on the visitors lights, for instance.
Mentioned idle stop-start system, nonetheless, is likely one of the worst I’ve skilled up to now and is likely one of the first issues I flip off when hopping in. Fortunately there’s a bodily button to show this off, not like sure different capabilities that I’ll focus on afterward.
One in all my greatest points with the engine idle stop-start system is it’s very laggy when switching the engine on and off. There have been many factors the place the engine would swap off simply as I needed to start out shifting.
When this occurred I’d furiously prod the accelerator, attempting to coax the engine again to life. As soon as it will definitely did a second or two later, the automobile forward of you has already accelerated forward. It’s the same feeling to if you stall a handbook automobile.
On the flip facet, certainly one of my favorite attributes of the brand new Triton is its variable-ratio energy steering rack which makes the ute really feel nimble and manoeuvrable at low speeds with low weighting, and safe and direct at larger speeds with heavier weighting. The system additionally helps to get rid of about-centre vagueness that’s prevalent in different dual-cab utes.
Don’t expect the Triton to be an ‘Evolution’ mannequin nonetheless, because it’s nonetheless a ute based mostly on a ladder-frame chassis and it will get the rocks up when altering instructions. It’s additionally laborious to get round its 5.3-metre-long heft when parking.
As commonplace the Triton GLS comes with each entrance and rear parking sensors, in addition to a surround-view digital camera which has surprisingly good decision. There’s additionally each entrance and rear cross-traffic alert which could be very useful to have in a automobile that’ll probably double as a workhorse and life-style automobile.
Round city the Triton’s suspension setup isn’t one of the best when unladen, as is often the case with utes which have leaf-sprung rear suspension. It’s value calling out the Triton GLS, just like the top-spec GSR, has a standard-duty rear leaf suspension setup slightly than the heavy-duty rear leaf suspension in lesser variants.
Mitsubishi claims to have carried out an Australian-market suspension tune, however our tester’s suspension setup was just a little too bouncy and smooth. It’s most noticeable over velocity bumps because the ute takes a number of actions to settle.
This sensation is made worse at larger speeds as whereas the Triton does job at absorbing highway imperfections, bigger steady bumps actually unsettle it.
Increase velocity the Triton’s new bi-turbo diesel engine is lightyears higher than the earlier era. It has sufficient to torque to take care of gears whereas accelerating as much as freeway speeds and can cruise alongside relaxed as soon as there.
Whereas we didn’t get to check towing this time round, the Triton now lastly has a segment-matching 3.5-tonne braked towing capability. It might be fascinating to see how effectively the bi-turbo engine fares at larger speeds underneath load as a lot of four-cylinder turbo-diesels struggled to succeed in 100km/h as a part of our ute mega take a look at final 12 months.
On the security entrance the Triton is feature-filled, although among the methods are infuriating. The most important perpetrator by far is the driving force monitoring system which is now required by ANCAP with a purpose to obtain a five-star security score as a part of the newest protocols.
Whereas having a system to make sure you’re listening to the highway is nice in principle, the Triton’s software program calibration is horrible and will finally be the explanation why somebody chooses to purchase one other ute. It pings an annoying noise at nearly any given alternative if you’re not trying instantly forward.
Some examples of when the system pinged at me included after I scratched my nostril, seemed on the touchscreen or adjusted the local weather management. It additionally actually struggles in low-light conditions, and through one specific journey it alerted me 17 instances regardless that I used to be trying forward your complete time.
Much more irritating is the driving force consideration monitoring system defaults to on each time you drive the ute. There’s no easy button to press to change it off – as a substitute, it’s worthwhile to dive by means of a number of menus within the digital instrument cluster.
Mitsubishi has introduced it’s rolling out a repair within the coming month or so, which CarExpert will take a look at as quickly as potential. Get extra particulars in regards to the modifications right here.
There’s adaptive cruise management as commonplace which is nice as a result of it makes tedious freeway driving much less tiring. Total the system works effectively, although it loves to go away a beneficiant hole between the automobile forward which different automobiles lower into simply.
Different security gear embrace lane departure warning which makes refined vibrations within the steering wheel if you get near a lane marking whereas driving, in addition to a lane-keep help system that makes use of the brakes to drag you again into the lane if you begin to drift over the traces.
The latter of those must be turned on each time you flip the Triton on.
Lastly, the Triton GLS comes with LED headlights that are shiny and have an computerized high-beam operate. LED headlights are good in case you ceaselessly journey in rural/regional areas and should be looking out for animals on the highway.
What do you get?
On take a look at right here is the penultimate variant within the Triton vary – the GLS 4×4 dual-cab.
Triton GLX highlights:
17-inch wheelsAutomatic high-beamHeavy Responsibility rear suspensionKeyless entry9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment systemWireless Apple CarPlayWired Android AutoSatellite navigation4-speaker sound system7.0-inch TFT supervision displayBlack material upholsteryManually adjustable driver’s seat with energy lumbarVinyl flooringAir-conditioningFloor console field with lid2 x cupholders2 x bottle holdersSunglasses holderSecond-row bench with centre armrestSeatback pocket1 x entrance USB-A outlet1 x rear USB-A outlet1 x entrance USB-C outlet1 x rear USB-C outlet
Triton GLX+ provides:
Locking rear differentialSide stepsFront fog lights17-inch alloy wheelsRear privateness glassReversing AEBSurround-view camerasDAB digital radioBlack material upholstery, silver stitching
Triton GLS provides:
Normal Responsibility rear suspensionSuper Choose 4WD II18-inch alloy wheelsTub linerHeated, power-adjustable exterior mirrorsLED headlightsLED entrance fog lightsLED indicator, tail lightsInterior ‘smooth padding surfaces’, silver accent stitchingDual-zone local weather controlTerrain ControlHill descent controlElectrochromic inside rear-view mirrorKeyless startWireless cellphone charger
GLS Deluxe Choice pack ($1500) provides:
Leather-based upholsteryHeated entrance seatsPower driver seat
Is the Mitsubishi Triton secure?
The Mitsubishi Triton has a five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on testing carried out in 2024.
Normal security gear contains:
8 airbags incl. front-sideAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Pedestrian detectionCyclist detectionJunction assistAdaptive cruise controlBlind-spot monitoringDriver consideration monitoringEmergency lane keepingFront, rear cross-traffic alertIntelligent velocity limiterLane maintain assistMulti-collision brakeParking sensors entrance, rearTrailer stability assistReversing cameraTyre strain monitoring
GLX+ and up get a surround-view digital camera and rear AEB.
How a lot does the Mitsubishi Triton value to run?
The Mitsubishi vary is backed by Australia’s longest new automobile guarantee, offered you service inside the seller community.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mitsubishi Triton
The brand new Mitsubishi Triton is a large step forward when it comes to security and expertise in comparison with its predecessor, although amongst its top-selling rivals it doesn’t transfer the section ahead an excellent deal.
I’m a fan of the brand new four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel powertrain and the very fact it permits for a segment-matching 3.5-tonne braked towing capability, although it’s held again by a frustratingly laggy engine idle stop-start system and an archaic six-speed computerized transmission.
The calibration of among the security methods additionally leaves rather a lot to be desired. It’s infuriating how the driving force monitoring system bings and bongs so incessantly, particularly as a result of it’s meant to really assist you rather than making you need to flip it off at any given alternative.
For lots of potential patrons these little tidbits would probably flip them off on a take a look at drive, although it’s value holding in thoughts Mitsubishi has one of many longest new-car guarantee’s so long as you decide to servicing on the seller.
Whereas the outgoing mannequin ended up extra of a budget-oriented choice up towards the likes of Chinese language rivals together with the GWM Ute Cannon and LDV T60, this new mannequin repositions itself as a rival to section stalwarts just like the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Toyota HiLux.
In penultimate GLS guise as examined right here, this feels just like the decide of the Triton vary because it just about all of the options you would ever need from a dual-cab ute.
It is going to be fascinating to see how this modifications when handbook and cab-chassis variants arrive later this 12 months, as a result of traditionally the Triton has been a greater vendor down decrease within the vary.
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