The wrap-up
Style-wise, it sets itself apart from others in the class – the Triton. Where the trend is to heavy, square-rigged exterior lines, the Triton has rounded lines, a swooping bonnet and semi-elliptical cabin. It is different, stylish and – with heavy nudge bar up front, trade bars, wide stance and enclosed tub – has a real presence on the road.
Perhaps the tray doesn’t marry as well with the cohesive style of the cabin and front clip (it appears to droop from some angles), but, when in our care, most gave the Triton’s purposeful lines a strong ‘thumbs up’.
One thing to note carefully though (especially if you’re considering the Triton for load-lugging duties) is that the sloping cabin eats a little way into the space of the tray-back. It’s not as big as some in the class. I need to give another warning here too: pressing the tail-gate closed with the palm of the hand will leave an impression in the rear panel. A panel strengthening swage would do the trick… Mitsubishi, you listening?
In all, these are minor gripes. For the Triton’s capabilities, comfort, ease at the wheel, and clever design, we came away very impressed with this versatile, capable four-wheeler.
The addition of Mitsubishi’s Super Select four-wheel-drive system to the Triton GLX-R turbo diesel makes a good dual-purpose vehicle, an even better one.
To cap it off, it has a teetotaller’s thirst for diesel. It sips it like it’s poison. The combined result – with four-up - from the highway run, the climb into the mountains, hours of hard graft in low range, then back down the mountain, returned a surprising and very respectable 11.8 l/100km.
Around town, that figure was closer to 10.0 l/100km. All up, it makes the factory claim of 9.9 l/100km (combined cycle) very achievable indeed.
The Triton is sensible buying because the sum of its parts makes such a strong case. But best of all, put one in the drive and you’ll soon find yourself discovering places otherwise denied. Fabulous places like the Blue Rag Range Track.
The Insider’s Big Statement
If you’ve been noticing a lot of Tritons on the road lately, it’s because they’re selling. Total sales last year were 9370, down just 4.0 percent on 2007, compared to the Navara which was down 11.3 percent, and the barn-storming HiLux which was up 9.6 percent. Not inexpensive but well-featured, and offering road-friendly manners, a supple suspension and a strong but thrifty diesel, Mitsubishi’s Triton GLX-R turbo diesel might just be the best buy of the moment at the upper end of its segment - especially with the deals Mitsubishi currently has on offer to ABN holders.
The Insider likes:
- Ripper diesel (now a little quieter)
- Generous interior space, interior style and rear leg room
- The heavy-duty off-road capability of the Super Select 4WD system
- Supple and comfortable ride (for a high-stepping ‘fourby’)
- The GLX-R diesel’s frugal thirst at the bowser
- The muscular frontal treatment and cabin design
The Insider dislikes:
- The door trims (ok… I know it’s picky)
- The front seats need more under-thigh support
- The compromised ute-tub space
- The ‘sagging’ lines of the tub
- A rear tail-gate that is easily dented
Gallery
GALLERY » 2009 Mitsubishi GLX-R Turbo Diesel
Specs
| Engine: | 3.2 litre 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve |
| Capacity: | 3200cc |
| Fuel System: | Common rail diesel, direct injection |
| Fuel Consumption: | 9.9 l/100km (claimed combined cycle) |
| Induction: | Intercooled turbo |
| Power: | 118kW @ 3,800rpm |
| Torque: | 343Nm @ 2,000rpm |
| Compression: | 17.0:1 |
| Bore x stroke: | 98.5mm x 105.0mm |
| Transmission: | Four-speed auto (high/low range) |
| 4WD System: | Super Select locking centre differential with selectable 2WD |
| Suspension: | Front: Double wishbone with coil and stabiliser Rear: Rigid, eliptic leaf spring |
| Brakes: | Front: Ventilated discs Rear: Drums, ABS with EBD |
| Wheels: | 17 x 7.0inch alloys |
| Tyres: | 245/65 R17 111S RF |
| Towing capacity: | 2,500kg (braked), 750kg (unbraked) |
| Cargo bed: | Length: 1325mm Width: 1470mm |
| Kerb weight: | 2,020kg |
| Price: | $48,990 GLX-R turbo diesel (auto) $46,990 GLX-R turbo diesel (manual) |
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Comments
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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