The Triton tapped danced up and down the concrete ‘boards’ of the motorway, leaving
occupants shakin’ all over. Thankfully, this was no polka: ‘three-sixties’ here would
have been well out of order.
On minor-road bitumen the terpsichorean bobbing up and down stepped aside for the
GSR dual cab ute to settle for the odd bounce when encountering surface blemishes.
Let’s face it, most utes exhibit some degree of rodeo riding. However, there is work to
be done here.
The new Triton is a relative late comer to the dual cab ute segment dominated by the
Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, the Mitsubishi relying on value for money in its appeal.
Unfortunately, this has resulted in Triton being seriously challenged by the likes of the
Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max, not to mention Chinese and Korean offerings.
Mitsubishi Australia offers the MY22 Triton in six variants, with the GLX from a bargain
basement $44,240 drive away. The range is rounded out by the GSR from $65,740
drive away. The latter was on test.
Accessories across the range are designed to suit most needs. Select from a Work
Pack, Tradie Essential Pack, Starter Pack, Polished Pack or Black Pack.
Out in front with its 10-year 200,000-kilometre Diamond Advantage warranty, the maker
offers Triton cover, provided all scheduled servicing is done on time and by an
authorised Mitsubishi dealer.
STYLING
The all-over black GSR test vehicle sported 18-inch alloy wheels and blacked-out grille.
clamshell-style doors, platform side steps and grab handles made for easy access.
Efficient LED headlamps and daytime running lights are in line with the latest look in
pick-up truck design.
On the smaller side of the segment, the ‘tucked in’ Triton’s less than 12 metre turning
circle does make for easier parking than many of its segment rivals.
INTERIOR
The cabin décor certainly makes a statement with orange leather appointed seats,
black leather door trims with orange stitching, the latter repeated on the steering wheel,
gear shift knob and park brake lever.
The luxe look is let down somewhat by black plastic surrounds, which are present in
abundance.
Front seats are heated, while two rear seat passengers are well catered for with
generous leg room and a reclined seatback angle allowing ample, head and shoulder
room – three across not so.
The bench seat back folds to expose a slim storage space across the width of the
cabin. Storage, in general, is well covered with cup holders all round, a cubby up front,
deep centre console and big-bottle door slots.
Out back, the tub dimensions – 1520 mm long, 1470 mm wide, 475 mm deep – are
some of the smallest in the segment, while four integrated cargo hooks can safely
secure a variety of loads.
INFOTAINMENT
In these days of tablet-style technology, a small(ish) touchscreen, covering Apple
CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ digital radio, dwells in the past, while a head-up
display on the windscreen, covering speed and legal speed limits, catches up with
present-day standards.
Analogue instruments literally dial up memories of the old workhorse, the layout relating
to modern times only by a digital display between the two gauges.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The MY22 Triton relies on the tried and tested (ageing) 2.4-litre Mitsubishi MIVEC
common-rail, intercooled turbodiesel engine putting out 133 kW of power at 3500 rpm
and 430 Nm of torque at 2500 revs.
A six-speed automatic transmission and Super Select II 4×4 system cover the spectrum
of on- and off-road capability.
SAFETY
The five-star ANCAP safety grade won in 2015 would not be up to today’s five-star
standards.
However, Mitsubishi Intuitive Technology (MITEC) does incorporate such technical
advantages as antilock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution; forward collision
mitigation; ultrasonic misacceleration mitigation; blind spot and lane departure warning;
lane change assist; hill descent control; all-round monitor; hill start assist; reverse
parking camera and sensors; and rear cross-traffic alert.
Passive safety is covered by seven airbags and an audible warning to pedestrians
when the vehicle is reversing.
DRIVING
Constructed in lightweight materials, including an aluminium block, it’s fuel efficiency
over performance with the Triton 2.4-litre turbodiesel powerplant. Ponderous off the
mark but relaxed and co-operative at cruising speeds.
Note: leave the steering wheel-mounted metal shift paddles alone. They add little to the
driving experience. It’s definitely a case of engine management knows best.
Mitsubishi puts fuel consumption in the combined urban / highway cycle at 8.6 litres per
100 kilometres. On test the GSR recorded 11 litres per 100 kilometres city commuting
and 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the open road.
As mentioned above, a rigid ladder chassis; up front, double wishbones with coil
springs and stabiliser bar; and above-axle leaf spring rear suspension had their
moments.
Super Select II 4×4 system incorporates four modes – 2H, rear-wheel drive; 4H, full-time
power to all wheels; 4HLC, 4WD high range with locked centre differential, minimises
wheel spin with low grip; 4LCC, 4WD low range with locked centre diff, maximum
traction at low speed. The switch between two and four-wheel drive can be made safely
on the fly at speeds up to 100 km/h.
Tow rating is 3100 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked. The test vehicle tonneau cover
provided a test of strength to clip it down until it finally surrendered to perseverance.
The high-set lined tub (aren’t they all, these days) also offered up a few loading
challenges during the test.
Rear seat occupants commented on the efficiency of the climate control back there with
its dual air vents in the roof.
SUMMARY
While lacking in some of the niceties of the modern pick-up truck work-and-play
combination, the Triton GSR does not carry the load of premium pricing of some of its
opposition.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 6/10
Safety: 7/10
Thirst: 7/10
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 6/10
Tech: 6/10
Value: 7/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Mitsubishi Triton GLX from $44,240 (Drive away)
Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R from $47,490 (Drive away)
Mitsubishi Triton GLX+ from $48,490 (Drive away)
Mitsubishi Triton GLS from $53,240 (Drive away)
Mitsubishi Triton Sport Edition from $60,926 (Drive away)
Mitsubishi Triton GSR from $65,740 (Drive away)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your
local Mitsubishi dealer for drive-away prices.
.
SPECIFICATIONS (Triton GSR 2.4L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, six-speed automatic,
selectable 4×4 dual cab ute)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 2.442 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders inline
Combined Maximum Power: 133 kW @ 3500 rpm
Combined Maximum Torque: 430 Nm @ 2500 rpm
Fuel Type: Diesel
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 8.6 L/100km
DRIVELINE: Six-speed automatic, selectable 4×4
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5305 mm
Wheelbase: 3000 mm
Width: 1815 mm
Height: 1795 mm
Turning Circle: 11.8 metres
Kerb mass: 1999 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 75 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated Disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Ten years / 200,000 kilometres
