Mitsubishi’s Triton GLX-R Turbo Diesel now sports a locking centre diff. But how good is it when the going gets tough? To find out, we let it off the chain in Victoria’s spectacular high country.
THE BLUE RAG RANGE TRACK sits high in the Victorian snow country. It forks west from the Dargo High Plains Road, following the knife edge of the ridges between Mt Blue Rag and the spur to ‘The Trig’ – a high-point mapping marker. From there, if you’re up to it, it drops through more than 2000 feet into the headwaters of the Wonnangatta River.
It is one of Victoria’s greatest 4WD drive tracks with spectacular views over Mt Feathertop, Hotham and the surrounding high county. The track itself is low-range four-wheel drive fare - you’d knock the stuffing out of a soft-roader here.
With a series of steep rocky pinches, long loose descents and deep ruts with large sump-endangering shale outcrops, it’s the perfect run, you’d have to agree, for putting Mitsubishi’s strong-selling Triton GLX-R Turbo Diesel rig with four-speed auto and ‘Super Select’ four-wheel-drive system through its paces.
We reasoned that if the GLX-R Turbo Diesel can get the amply-fed TMR crew there and back without knocking the guts out of the vehicle and the lard out of the passengers, it can do the same for you and your family, mates, or fellow philosophers.
So, four up, TMR’s finest front and back, contour maps, sextant, barf bags, vegemite sandwiches and string, we took to the highway through East Gippsland then climbed north through the rising foothills into Dargo.
On most weekends, Dargo is awash with groups of dirt bikers (you’ll need to book ahead if you plan on staying). From there, you’ve got three main choices to the north of the town – and each terrific drives.
You can either head east across the ridge roads to Omeo; northwest into the old mining area of Grant (and further west to the Pinnacles), or due north climbing to the high plains. Head this way and you’ll rise up over 1600 metres onto Treasure’s Plain and above the snow line.
Up here, with Mt Hotham due west, you’ll find the turnoff of onto the Blue Rag Range Track. Heading in, you need to expect ‘traffic’ coming the other way - there is just one way in, and the same way out (Be warned: depending where you find each other, there can sometimes be a bit of manoeuvring to get by on the narrow track.)
Above: View from the top, looking south. The grey-streaked bush – thousands of hectares of the bleached dead trunks of trees, standing like thin matchsticks – carries the reminder of the devastating 2003 fires.
So what’s the Triton like? Does it cut the mustard on this sort of drive? And it’s one thing being good along a bush trail, but can you live with it for the necessary highway duties?
Well then, let’s start with the accommodation.
Creature comforts, fit and finish
Inside, to these eyes, the Triton in GLX-R trim is one of the better interiors in the class – more stylish than the heavy-handed Navara, classier than the plain Colorado, and more appealing than the studiously grey but well-executed HiLux.
The textured black dash – typical Mitsubishi – feels, and looks, smart. In the GLX-R, it comes with multifunction display, trip computer, CD (with MP3 capability) and Bluetooth. There is some design flair to the appealing ‘blue-faced’ dials, controls, and centre console. And there is also a ‘hewn from stone’ unitary feel to things.
The ergonomics at the wheel and the accommodation also works - for both front and rear seat passengers. Thanks to the Triton’s unique pod-shaped cabin, no other twin-cab of comparable dimensions offers such rear leg-room, nor such a comfortable sloping seat-back for the rear passengers.
Despite hours on the road (and tracks), there were no complaints from the back seat about cramped quarters or discomfort. It really is an exceptional design in this regard.
Photo: Mitsubishi
There are two things, and only two, that let down an otherwise top-notch interior: the front seats, though comfortable enough, lack lumber support (even for shortish legs). And though in the GLX-R they’re nicely trimmed in a smart ‘sport’ fabric and provide adequate side-support, you feel a bit like you’re perched on them. Some more ‘under-thigh’ padding would not go astray.
The other gripe – ok, it’s minor – is that the textured grey all-plastic door trims seem at odds with the quality feel of the rest of the interior. In fact all of the Japanese marques need to take a look at how well Ford and Holden trim their utes, and take a leaf out of the same book.
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Nice review. Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun. One thing that was missing though was you compared various aspects of the Triton to the Hi-lux, Colorado/D-Max, Navara, (even the show pony utes, Faclon/Commodore) however there was no mention of how the BT-50/Ranger twins fit into the equation.
Salutations DA… thanks for thy most worthy comments: had a good look at the BT-50 (in a pre-TMR life) but, verily, we hath not yet covered it for the site. (I am responding to THE Devil’s Advocate am I not?)
It’s a good rig, its no-nonsense ‘work-horse’ styling really appeals to me, and has a good strong diesel up front - with a little more torque than the Triton, but not that you’d notice from the wheel. I also like the BT’s interior and ‘feel’ at the wheel.
In day to day use though, the Triton has the edge on the highway (and in the rough) thanks to its supple and more sophisticated double wishbone front end.
The Super Select locking centre diff on the Triton is also a terrific bit of kit. When climbing, it lets you take things steadier and just let the torque lift you up and over.
There’s not a lot in it though DA, each has its own strengths and advantages… maybe the Triton for more versatile use, maybe the solid BT for trade duties.
St Insider the Benevolent of TMR
good reviewthe triton is the best ute by far, and now you can get side/curtain airnags too - making it the fastest!
The review is now complete, thanks Insider!! Also thanks for the prompt reply, much appreciated and is another thing I like about this site. There are some great utes around now and with the quality of the modern common rail oil burners, it makes you wonder why they all don’t do a ‘Mazda’ and not even bother offering a petrol version!
I don’t know if I am ‘THE’ DA you were eluding to, but I have been using this handle for a while on other sites living up to the name!! Keep up the good work!
One question for Jake02, just how does side/curtain airbags make the Triton the fastest?
I bought a Triton GLXR turbo deisel automatic to tow my dual wheel 18 1/2 foot caravan up and down the hills along the NSW coastline. It is fantastic. It makes towing so easy. I think its appeartance sets it apart from other utes. I also bought the paint protection which keeps the vehicle looking brand new.
During the week I drive it to work and average 9.8 litres per 100km. Beats the 1996 commodore hands down.
Kevin 08,how does the triton handle the caravan with the Auto, I have a 17 foot van ?, does the auto want to keep droping back a gear or does it have the grunt to hold speed,cheers
I tow on the normal flat roads in automatic but drop it out of the overdrive gear when it is windy or uphill
Kevin
Thanks Kev
Its hard to know what to believe or not when reading these reviews on different web sites, as most of the negative comments seem to be from people that dont even own the vehicle being tested, so I appreciate yours.Just a couple more if you have time.
I read in some reports that the Triton is a bit noisey ? what do you think, I currently own a 1996 2.4 Deisel Hilux, so i’m not comparing it to a sedan.
Has it got the comfort that you can last a good few hours behind the wheel, say 3 or 4, and how good does it sit on the road.
I know I will have have a test drive to answer some of my own questions, but what would you give it out of ten and is it the sort of vehicle that you could see yourself having for a few years.
Woody
Hi Woody,
I was on this test drive and actually own an 07 ML Triton manual. I think it is a great car but like all cars it is not perfect.
Noise - at part throttle under load mine had a distinctive diesel rattle but that was rectified at a recent service with an ECU software update.
I’ve driven mine from Melb to Syd, Melb to Adelaide and Melb to Broken Hill all quite comfortably. The only beef I have is with the front seats which lack under thigh support (they are too flat and not adjustable in that regard).
You’ll have to replace the shocks fairly early on because they are rubbish and the tyres are ordinary at best.
The rest of the car/truck is excellent. It has plenty of power, good fuel economy and in my opinion is the best drive in its class.
Hold out for a bit though, in a month or two there will be a new one with a larger, squarer rear tub. I’ve even heard rumours of a new diesel engine as well…
Whatever you decide, the few issues they have had have been minor and generally sorted out by now.
Cheers,
Steane
woody
I find it very comfortable but I have seen complaints about the front seats and the thigh support. I’m 6 foot two and i find it comfortable.
I usually drive dfor about 4-5 hours before we stop when caravanning
Not sure about the noise as it’s the first 4 wd I’ve owned but my brother in law who is a car fanatic has the Pajero with the same engine and he loves it. He has owned 4wds for many years
I’m planning to do a lot of towing and caravanning i it for at least the next 10 years.
Cheers
Kevin
Thanks Kev and Steane,
The engine was one thing I was wondering if there was any changes coming up. I like the reports of the D-Max engine, but didn’t find the rest of the vehicle that appealing, expecially the lack of room in the back seats, which is one of the things on the top of my list, having 3 kids, and plan to keep it for a while.
Cheers
Woody
All comments sound good but fail to reach the part about off road. i do a fair bit of driving off the beaten track and am looking for a newer ute i can take off road but is good on the highway. i currently own a 2001 hilux and find it is perfect off road (clearance torque and handling) but it lacks on the highway (expecially overtaking). so what i am really asking is how does the glx perform in real 4wd situations?
Cheers
Toothie