Mitsubishi Triton Is A HiLux Rival Packed With Value

The Mitsubishi Triton for sale is a Japanese workhorse that is often overlooked, but buyers looking for a bargain bakkie had best take notice of some of this bakkie’s best features.

South Africans love their bakkies, the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger have been the two most popular vehicles in the country over the past few years. But if you look past the top sellers there is some incredible value. Here is everything you need to know about the Mitsubishi Triton GSR.

VALUE

The GSR is a relatively new model variant in the new and used Triton models for sale that sits between the GLS and GLS Premium. It adds a dash of style to the Triton’s exterior with a black grille, 18-inch black alloy wheels and black highlights around the headlights, door mirrors, handles and sidesteps. Our test car also had an accessory pack that included a black roll-top cover for the load area, a tub liner and a sports bar. The price is sharp and includes an extended seven-year warranty and roadside assistance. Service pricing is reasonable. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and digital radio are all accessed through the 7-inch touchscreen, while there are two USB ports, two 12-volt plugs and an HDMI input for other media. This model has heated leather seats, with electric adjustment on the driver’s side. The steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake are also covered in leather.

COMFORT

The Triton’s driver seat is comfortable and supportive for long hours spent behind the wheel, and the heating is a welcome addition on cold winter mornings. It’s also soothing for a sore back. There’s one annoying oversight, though. While the centre console is padded, the driver armrest in the door is hard plastic, which grates on the elbow after a while. Unusual for this type of work ute, rear passengers get roof-mounted air vents and an armrest with cupholders drops from the middle seatback when it’s not in use. The Triton is narrower than other utes, though, and rear passengers sit quite upright. When unladen, the Triton can be quite a bumpy ride, picking up imperfections on the road surface and jarring over bigger bumps. The same can be said for many of its rivals, though.

SAFETY

The new Triton hasn’t yet been rated by independent crash test authority ANCAP, but the previous model scored five stars back in 2015 and the update has brought a number of new crash avoidance features. Among them is a missacceleration mitigation feature that guards against accidents when the driver inadvertently hits the accelerator instead of the brake. Other features include auto emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert. A 360-degree camera is handy for parking and manoeuvring around work sites. If a crash is unavoidable, there are seven airbags.

ON THE ROAD

The Triton isn’t at the top of the class when it comes to driving dynamics, but it feels predictable and stable for a work vehicle. It rides better with a load on board – with an empty tray it can get skittish over mid-corner bumps and corrugated dirt roads. The engine is down on power and torque against most rivals but feels reasonably lively off the mark. It’s quite thirsty for its size and power outputs, and the distinctive diesel clatter is noticeable at lower speeds. Towing capacity falls short of its main rivals at 3100kg and the tray is smaller than most. Payload is also a bit skinny at 855kg. It’s not all bad news, though. The Triton has a smart off-road feature that allows you to switch from 2WD to 4WD on the fly, as well as a rear differential lock for the slippery stuff.

The Triton is smaller and less powerful than some rivals, but it’s well equipped and sharply priced.

MITSUBISHI TRITON GSR VITALS

Warranty/servicing: Five years, unlimited km

Engine: 2.4-litre turbo diesel, 133kW/430Nm

Safety: Five stars, seven airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, missacceleration mitigation, rear cross-traffic alert

Thirst: 8.6L/100km

Towing: 3100kg

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Found on Philip's Site