On the road
Since that first short-wheelbase Pajero – the ‘Pampas Cat’ - hit these shores over 25 years ago with independent front-end and, for the time, exceptional balance between off-road capability and on-road compliance, Mitsubishi has held onto a high ground in suspension dynamics.
Soon, everyone followed the Pajero’s lead and, within a decade, solid axles and leaf-sprung front ends had been usurped as ‘the standard’ for the class.
Both single and twin-cab Tritons we sampled last year, and the GLX-R in this test, confirm our view that Mitsubishi has still got ‘the on-road/off-road double’ pretty right. The GLX-R is competent and comfortable on the highway – even approaching supple – and yet firm enough but with sufficient wheel travel to handle the roughest off-road trails.
From the wheel, its load-lugging origins are obscured. Sure, things feel a bit lifeless at the dead-ahead, and the steering is not as direct as it might be (not as direct as the TRD HiLux for instance), but there are no complaints with the ‘feel’ when cornering or when picking through the rough.
It leans on that outside front and understeers a little when pressing on, but the Triton’s overall balance is at the top of its class.
Some in the segment jar and pitch on the highway unless you’ve got the cast of The Biggest Loser in the tray. This is not the case with the Triton. It is one of the better-mannered and better connected drives in the segment. And on this alone, will continue to win a lot of friends.
It is only over corrugations on gravel roads that the suspension can get caught out. In these conditions with an un-laden tray, the rear can step sideways - not as readily or suddenly as some, but not up to the standard of the more expensive but discontinued TRD HiLux. There is also a bit of judder through the wheel. You’d have to suspect that if Bilsteins can settle the HiLux, perhaps throwing a set under the Triton might also do the trick.
On the highway, and winding up into Dargo, the strong and economical 3.2 litre common rail direct injection Turbo Diesel (with 343Nm and 118kW available) and surprisingly competent four-speed auto (with overdrive), proved a very good match. It will kick down and wind up quickly when overtaking and, with masses of torque, doesn’t ‘hunt’ and poke around between gears when in the hills. Some autos can drive you nuts, the auto in the Triton you simply don’t notice.
It’s a better combo and less-wearing than the groaning CVT in the Navara, less ‘fidgety’ than the TRD and a match for the excellent turbo diesel in the Colorado/D-Max.
In the rough stuff
You can call me a convert. It is only recently that I’ve become convinced of the strengths of an auto mated to a strong diesel in picking your way through the rough.
In low range, thanks to the characteristics of a torque converter in keeping the turbo diesel in the ‘sweet spot’ when working hard on a broken climb, the Triton auto has a real surprise up its sleeve in how well it goes about things.
In the GLX-R, it is helped by Mitsubishi’s Super Select four-wheel drive system lifted from the Padger wagon (and available since July 2008 for diesel VR, GLX-R and GLS models). On a steep climb in ‘four low’, with locked centre differential applying drive equally to all four wheels, the GLX-R simple ‘winds its way’ up. Having 343Nm available at just 2000rpm certainly helps when the going gets lumpy.
On this trail, the Triton impressed us all with its easy, un-fussed competence. Breaking traction is the enemy on loose climbs and descents; it simply wasn’t an issue on even the roughest sections of this track.
(With a manual, you can find yourself bashing through in these conditions - and lurching on and off the clutch - to keep the torque in the ‘sweet-spot’.)
Here again, the Triton’s suspension strengths are also apparent. Even fully laden, it will step over obstacles without wallowing onto the bump-stops or, worse, ‘kneeling’ onto the sills or undercarriage. We ‘bottomed’ things just a couple of times along the Blue Rag Track.
Above: The pinch to The Trig. The camera flattens the incline (but there’s a nifty rock ledge near the top). The views from the flat crown are astonishing.
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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