Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R 2005 review

But with a lick of extra paint, some fancy wheels, nice little "sports" grille and other add-ons, there is life left in today's ute.

Triton sales are running OK despite the attention of a few new machines — including the latest Toyota HiLux and Holden's Rodeo — in this part of the motoring world.

It is still growing, helped by new one-tonner models, Ford and Holden's passenger car-derived machinery which have been running hard this decade plus a strong economy.

All the tradies need a work ute, others need an auto fashion accessory.

Set to arrive this year is an all-new Navara, sitting on a reworked chassis borrowed from Nissan's big North American-only Titan utes.

But the Triton soldiers on. Among the workers it's not all about the latest style and accessories, more about a reliable workmate at a comfortable price.

Star of the Mitsubishi Triton show right now is the GLX-R, a dressed-up, four-wheel drive dual cab with thoughtful extras.

For among the ute growth areas is this dual cab, four-wheel-drive business. In particular this mob has seen growing interest in those top-of-the-tree, electric windows and the lot utes, the dressed-up to party, four-door machines.

Nissan's ST-R has helped show the way here, attracting big interest across the country with a few cosmetics.

The Triton GLX-R Double Cab looks like a neat custom job, matches the Nissan in the style stakes. There are the body-coloured front and rear bumpers, the body-coloured flares, chrome sports bar out back and chrome nudge bar up front.

It sits on 16-inch alloys, there are side steps, a soft tonneau cover with GLX-R logo and a black mesh grille.

It is subtle with just a hint of muscle.

And for a machine that's getting on there is still a bit of mature muscle in this GLX-R, this one fitted with 2.8-litre, turbocharged diesel engine.

It is a faithful, honest power package with 92kW at 4000rpm and 294Nm of torque at 2000rpm, good for paddock-crawling and rock hopping.

The diesel GLX-R arrives with only the five-speed manual transmission. (There is a four-speed automatic option available on the petrol V6.)

The diesel with manual is a fine compromise for work and play. It arrives with the grunt and the gear.

It is an easy machine around town where that load of torque can cover a lazy shift.

And everyone sits a little high, good for visibility in traffic and car parks, not so great for taller folks' headroom in the back seat.

For all the 5.1 metres, the GLX-R is OK around the town although that turning circle (12.8m) necessitates some patience in tight car parks.

Ride quality is OK for a leaf spring-loaded rear end.

There are the big bumps over speed humps but by and large the Triton Double Cab is not as jumping jittery at the back end as the all-new Toyota HiLux.

It's an independent front end with wishbones and coils.

With the GLX-R's meaty 265/70R 16 rubber it steers and turns in OK for a big, old ute.

Inside is plain and simple but there's airconditioning and stereo sound and electric windows but no electric mirrors?

The seats have a fancy looking trim but some of the rest of the cabin, especially around the dash, is showing signs of old fit and finish standards.

Little trucks such as the new HiLux and Rodeo show how today's plastics look far better than yesterday's.

Maybe there's a need to upgrade the speakers, there's just the two for the AM/FM radio and CD player.

And if looking at this Triton as the machine for heading scrub for long, long drives — and why not? — a pair of upmarket seats for the front might be the go.

The pair here are fine and quite fancy, it's just for longer hauls it would be more comfortable (and therefore safer) to have more support.

At the end of the day, here's a good-looking ute with ability in the scrub and not that much trouble around the town.

It cruises fine, will cart a 971kg payload, including two or three children across the back seat and arrives with a reasonable price tag at $38,990.

The turning circle needs attention and the cabin shows signs of a 10-year-old design but this is not a bad package for a variety of jobs from long country treks to worksites to camping up the beach.