Two critics: Mitsubishi Triton
Frustrating technology designed to keep drivers safe on the road ‘rules out’ this otherwise accomplished machine.
Our family of testers sample the new and improved Triton, but has the level of safety gone too far?
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
JULES: Another new ute? Don’t we have enough to choose from?
IAIN: That’s un-Australian. Our nation’s three best-selling cars last year were pick-ups: Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max.
JULES: Not this Triton, then?
IAIN: It was fifteenth, but now this new model’s landed, it’ll be a top ten seller again.
JULES: New? Have they changed its headlights?
IAIN: Yes. But it’s also longer, wider, more powerful, more efficient, safer and tows 3500kg.
JULES: And Mitsubishi’s kept prices the same?
IAIN: Er, no. Dual cab 4x4s – the ones most buy – are up around $7000. Our near-flagship GLS is $59,090 – about $65,000 drive-away.
JULES: Not cheap, but a few grand under high spec Rangers and HiLuxes. This new Triton looks okay, but with a fussy front end. It’s as though Mitsubishi just chucked lights and silver trim at it and gone with where they landed.
IAIN: Harsh. Looks are improved, but range-topping GSR with body-coloured front grille and black wheel arches is the style pick.
THE LIVING SPACE
JULES: You sure this is new? It’s an old-school cabin with analog instruments, manual handbrake and stick-on 9-inch infotainment – not than the widescreen integrated ones we’re used to.
IAIN: True. Compared to a Ford Ranger with dash-dominating portrait screen, the Triton feels dated. But I like the simplicity. Layout’s easy, climate control uses buttons and everything feels robust.
JULES: Dash and door tops are hard plastic but not scratchy, I love the large wireless charge pad, and seats are leathery.
IAIN: They’re part of a $1540 Deluxe pack, bringing perforated leather trim, power driver’s seat and heated front seats. Worth the spend.
THE COMMUTE
JULES: You know it’s a diesel on a cold morning. That’s a solid rattle.
IAIN: It dies down when warm, and purrs nicely at speed. At 110km/h it’s only at 1800rpm, and wind noise aside, is a comfortable cruiser.
JULES: I enjoy the lofty ride height, wireless Apple CarPlay works well (Android Auto is wired) and radar cruise control means lots of ticks.
IAIN: This GLS is on ‘standard-duty’ rear suspension, better tuned for town driving with no load in the tray. Ride is tolerable, but on lumpy roads it goes all bouncy. All utes do this, but a Ford Ranger handles it better.
JULES: I was too distracted by driver assist systems telling me off non-stop. The lane keep is quick to vibrate, but worst is the driver monitor. Big Brother watches and bongs continuously.
IAIN: Agreed. It’s too much. It told me to keep eyes on the road when I was checking my blind spot. Take a sip of coffee? My mug blocked the sensor and nanny complained again.
JULES: It’s driver frustrate, not assist. I turned them all off, which is a lengthy process.
IAIN: Mystifyingly, things like parking sensors stay off when restarting, but the driver monitor defaults to on again.
THE SHOPPING
JULES: A surround-view monitor and front and rear sensors are superb for bingle-free parking this ute.
IAIN: You don’t get a tray cover, so shopping must go in rear footwells, displeasing the kids. A soft tonneau cover is $900, hard ones are from $2750 and full canopies from $4800.
SUNDAY RUN
JULES: The engine’s perky. Lots of guts.
IAIN: Thank the two turbos. As we know, that makes the engine twice as good. The old 133kW diesel had a single turbocharger, but this bi-turbo newbie gives 150kW and 470Nm, boosting response from low down.
JULES: We did a country road trip, hauling four mountain bikes in the tub with some unsealed driving.
This Triton’s made for such adventures.
IAIN: The four bikes stand upright in the tray, front wheels over a soft protective pad on the tailgate. Makes life so easy.
JULES: Over 700km we returned 7.3L/100km. That’s superb.
IAIN: Agreed. The six-speed auto gearbox works away smoothly, but I’d love paddle shifts to mitigate the few times it got flustered. On rough stuff it performed superbly, with no need to engage the rear diff lock.
THE FAMILY
JULES: Its driver aids are too nannying, but a centre airbag, front and rear cross traffic alert and blind spot warning are excellent for family safety.
IAIN: its open tub has limitations as a family car. But rear seat space is ample, there’s a central armrest, USB ports and ceiling vents which work well.
JULES: There’s a five-year warranty, but if you keep servicing with Mitsubishi, that extends to ten. Good peace of mind.
IAIN: Of note, these new Tritons require AdBlue fuel additive. Helpful for the environment, but it’s another thing owners must monitor, and worry about potentially failing in future.
THE VERDICT
JULES: A pragmatic ute choice. I like it’s not an aggressive in-yer-face design, does most things well and feels powerful. But the driver monitor system alone rules it out for me.
IAIN: You must make peace with spending a minute turning off certain driver aids at each start. Do so and the new Triton’s a good ‘un, but still behind the Ranger class leader.
MITSUBISHI TRITON GSR
PRICE: About $70,000 drive-away
ENGINE: 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 150kW and 470Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICE: 5-yr/u’ltd km, $2445 for 5 yrs
SAFETY: 8 airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, lane keep assist, front and rear cross-traffic alert
THIRST: 7.7L/100km
SPARE: Full-size
TOWING: 3500kg
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