The Mitsubishi Triton has always been a reasonable choice for reasonable people in the market for a reasonable dual-cab ute. They have a history of decent reliability, they’re easy to drive and they’re good value – all-in-all, a solid vehicle. Though there’s always been a problem with the way it looked, as the cab just never quite felt connected to the rear tub, thanks to a ‘design feature’ called the J-line that left the ute looking unfinished.
But with the all-new 2015 Triton, which was recently unveiled in Thailand, it’s finally come together. The distinctive Mitsubishi design features are still there, but it actually looks finished…and it actually looks quite good. Sure, it’s a bit futuristic, but considering the Triton tends to stick around for decade, they’re designing it just as much for the future as they are for now. It will most certainly age a lot better than the model that’s still on sale, which like the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, left me confused as to why they’d think the relatively near future would look like that.
Moving beyond the looks, the focus is on the all-new 2.4-litre turbo-diesel power plant, which uses an aluminium block to save weight…which saves fuel, which is good. While it doesn’t produce earth-shattering figures (133kW, 430Nm), it does manage to melt fewer polar ice caps while putting a few hard-earned dollars back in your wallet. The workhorse 2.5-litre, synonymous with the Triton of yesteryear, is dead for most markets, though it will still be available in a few export markets. Mitsubishi will also offer single cab, and club cab variants of the vehicle to meet a variety of needs, both private and commercial.
In a world of ever-looming cost-cutting, the Triton retains some familiarity for four-wheel drivers, and that’s a good thing. There’s a regular body-on-chassis frame, an LSD-equipped solid axle in the rear, and as much as 205mm of ground clearance; which isn’t huge, but it’s not bad either. Four-wheel drive and low range is accessed through a twisty, electronic knob in the cab, but we’re glad that it is present. There’s also the promise of corrosion-resistant steel in the cab and cargo tub, but we’ll let the beaches test that.
At first glance, the interior of the Triton looks like a nice place to be. It’s new, but not massively overhauled and shares a lot in common with the outgoing model. The availability of digital climate control, a massive 7-inch display and a rear backup camera goes a long way to reinforce Mitsubishi’s statement that the Triton combines the comfort of a passenger car, with the practicality of a ute. Also, If you’re the kind of person who thinks keys are difficult, a keyless operation system is standard.
The announcement of the redesigned Triton comes a few months after Nissan’s announcement of the new Navara, which also launches next year. There’s also rumours of a new Toyota Hilux being unveiled shortly, which will certainly make the next year quite interesting for those in the market for a dual-cab ute.
By Matt Scott
