2015 Mitsubishi Triton Review: Stronger, Quieter, And Not Too Big
What's hot: Well-priced, quiet on-road, strong refined new engine, better cabin ergonomics.
What's not: Is the blingy front a bit naff? Not as smooth as some on-road.
X-FACTOR: A price advantage not to be sneezed at, plus family-friendly dimensions and on-road feel.
Vehicle style: LCV 4WD twin-cab and space cab ute
Price range: $24,490 to $47,490
Engine/trans: 133kW/430Nm 2.4 litre turbo-diesel | 6-spd manual, 5-spd auto
Fuel consumption claimed: 7.6 l/100km combined | tested: 10.4 l/100km combined (14.3 l/100km off-road, 8.1 l/100km on-road)
OVERVIEW
If you want to put the capabilities of a 4x4 light commercial to the test, you can do worse than point it at a sand dune. That will find it out (and the driver).
So, Mitsubishi's choice of Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, as the venue for the launch of the new Triton, seemed “a little brave”.
Because sand, sometimes so unpredictable and deceptively hard to 'read', can bog any vehicle - no matter how capable.
And the tally for two days driving? Number of vehicles bogged: zero.
Not bad, and not a testament to the skills shown at the wheel. But at least one indicator of the capabilities of the new Triton.
This is a vastly improved car. Except for the ponderous chrome grille (which I find gauche), it looks loosely similar to the outgoing model.
The reality is that is different nearly everywhere that matters.
New engine, new suspension, new steering, new auto transmission, new styling and new cabin proportions... also quieter, quicker and safer.
It is also pretty well-priced. Sure, no runaway bargain, but quite a bit less than the incoming Navara and segment defining Ranger. Priced from $24,490 to $47,490, it sits about 'right' mid-segment.
So it's the best-ever Triton - after driving the GLS, GLX and Exceed (manual and auto, on-road and off it) we can confirm that much. But is it as improved as it needed to be, and will it - can it - challenge the Ranger and HiLux?
INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
GLX
- Tilt and telescopic Steering Column
- Cruise control
- Hands-free Bluetooth with voice command and steering wheel controls
- Audio system with AM/FM radio/CD player, USB port
- Twin LCD trip meter and multi information monitor
GLS adds:
- Rear view camera
- Chrome automatic electric folding door mirrors with side-turn lamp
- Three-spoke leather steering wheel , leather-trimmed shift knob
- Piano black and silver trim panel highlights
- Combination meter with white illumination
- Sports trim interior fabric and fabric door insert panel
- Needle punch carpet with heel pad
- Outside temperature indicator
- Dual zone auto climate control air-conditioning
- Display audio with 6.1" colour touch screen, AM/FM radio/CD player
- 6-speaker audio and DAB (digital audio broadcast) radio
Exceed adds:
- Paddle shifters at the wheel
- Leather seats, leather-look door-trim panel
- Smart key and 'one-touch' start
- Dusk sensing headlamps and rain-sensing auto intermittent wipers
- Powered driver's seat
- 7-inch touch screen with digital radio, 3D navigation mapping and SD Card input
2015_mitsubishi_triton_australian_launch_review_04