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BANG FOR BUCK

MITSUBISHI’S TRITON IS AUSTRALIA’S THIRD BEST-SELLING UTE FOR

GOOD REASON – IT’S EXCEPTIONAL VALUE FOR YOUR HARD-EARNED.

I

N CREATING the fifth-generation (MQ)

Triton, released in early 2015, Mitsubishi didn’t

try to build a big ute like the Ford Ranger,

Volkswagen Amarok, Holden Colorado, or any

other new-generation ute released a few years

earlier. Instead it took the previous-generation

Triton, pulled it apart and put it back together

with a whole raft of new or revised parts. The most

notable of these are an all-new 2.4-litre engine,

new six-speed manual, heavily revised suspension

and a slightly bigger cabin. The result is a smaller

ute than the Ranger (and friends), with a lower

GVM and less towing capacity. The Triton’s

relatively short wheelbase also means just about

the entire tray is behind the rear axle, which isn’t

ideal for carrying heavier loads.

However, the Triton has a couple of big aces up

its sleeve in the form of extremely sharp pricing

and selectable full-time 4x4 in the mid- and top-

spec models – the Volkswagen Amarok auto is the

other mainstream ute to offer full-time 4x4.

The Triton’s value for money comes to the fore

in the top-spec Exceed model, our pick of the

range. For the price of most competitors’ mid-

spec manual dual-cabs you get a five-speed auto

as standard, Super Select selectable full-time

4x4 system, a rear locker, keyless entry, push-

button start, leather seats (with electric adjust

for the driver), sat-nav via a seven-inch

touchscreen, and a reversing camera. You also

get auto wipers and headlights, paddle shifters for

the five-speed auto, dual-zone climate, daytime

running lamps, sidesteps, and all the safety

stuff that’s standard across the rest of the range.

Against competitors’ top-spec dual-cabs you’ll save

between $6K and $12K.

The Triton’s new 2.4-litre donk is quite revvy

given its maximum torque isn’t available until

2500rpm, but the auto effectively masks any

sense there’s insufficient power at low revs. The

engine is relatively smooth, quiet and refined. By

class standards the Triton also offers competitive

performance thanks in part to its light weight.

On the move the Triton has light and sporty

handling compared to most in its class, and

it benefits from the all-roads functionality of

selectable full-time 4x4. With Super Select the

driver can also select rear-wheel drive, which

stands this system apart from conventional full-

time 4x4 systems.

The Exceed isn’t class-leading when off-road,

but its rear locker puts it in front of lower-spec

Tritons. The relatively short wheelbase helps in

tight situations and the Super Select means you

can have 4x4 drive without locking the centre diff,

which can be very useful at times.

The Exceed’s cabin is nicely detailed and the

driver has the benefit of tilt-and-reach steering

wheel adjustment, which isn’t standard on many

competitor utes. All up, the Exceed is great value.

PRICE $47,790 ENGINE 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel

MITSUBISHI TRITON EXCEED

ENGINE: 2.4-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel

MAX POWER: 133kW

TORQUE: 430Nm

GEARBOX: five-speed automatic

4X4 SYSTEM: dual-range full-time (+2WD)

FRONT SUSPENSION: independent/coil

springs

REAR SUSPENSION: live axle/leaf springs

KERB WEIGHT: 1965kg

GVM: 2900kg

TOWING CAPACITY: 3100kg

FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 75 litres

ADR FUEL CLAIM: 7.6L/100km

http://www.4X4australia.com.au 494