2008 Mitsubishi Triton Reviews

Towing the tools during the week and the toys at the weekend has never been easier or more comfortable. Where once the tradie ute was a two-door three-on-a-bench cabin with a column-shift gearbox and an AM radio that made an alarm clock/radio sound good, 21st century machines are far closer to passenger cars.The venerable Toyota HiLux has come under fire from all sides, copping blows from Japanese, German and even locally developed Thai-built Ford products in recent years. Yet the Toyota workhorse finished 2012 as the second biggest-selling vehicle on the local market, as well as the most popular ute and best-selling four-wheel-drive within a segment that's grown substantially.By the end of 2003, there were 50,670 4WD pick-up/cab-chassis vehicles sold in a market that totalled 909,811 sales. Fast-forward five years and the 4WD ute segment totalled 83,308 with 12 models from nine brands on sale in a total market of 1.01 million.Last year, in a total market of 1.11 million, it speared well past the six-figure mark, recording 124,536 sales for 14 models from 11 brands. The reason: versatility. The more recently released dual-cabs now warrant some design focus to make the rear seat useful for more than short trips to the shop at smoko.Right-angled seat cushions have made way for more comfortable benches, lap-sash seat belts and child anchors. Road manners are far less rudimentary. The features lists have improved -- FM radio, seat adjustment and aircon are no longer considered namby-pamby -- as has the level of safety gear, with airbags, anti-lock brakes and even stability control fitted in recent times.The fleet market was largely responsible for putting the HiLux into the top 10 vehicles list but plenty of user-chooser customers need a more versatile machine. The result of expanded choice in the segment and increased competition has led to a wide range of makes and models, each with plenty of kit.HiLux still rules the roost but the others are gaining, adding features and sharpening prices to get a bigger chunk.2008 Toyota Hilux SR5 4WDEngine: 3.0-litre 4-cyl turbo dieselTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 9.5L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe HiLux has been the dominant force in dual-cab utes, with the brand's reputation for reliability no small factor in its popularity. The SR5 has dual front airbags, aircon, cruise control, 15-inch alloys, nudge bar and anti-lock brakes, but tilt-only steering2008 Nissan Navara ST-X 4WD D40Engine: 2.5-litre 4-cylinderTransmission: 6-speed manualThirst: 9.8L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSNavara has been a sales gem for Nissan and this example has been optioned up to include roof racks and a canopy. It sits on 16-inch alloy wheels and packs more power and torque than the HiLux, as well as a few extra features to give it a look-in for the sales race, such as a rotary switch for the 4WD system.2010 Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R 4WDEngine: 2.5-litre 4-cyl turbo dieselTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 9.9L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSExtra kit was also Triton's ticket in, given the HiLux's dominance. It has front and side airbags, a fifth ratio for the auto (HiLux still has four), stability control, 17-inch alloys and neat touches such as the roll-down rear window. The look isn't to all tastes but the bullbar takes care of some of that.

The Japanese work ute is no longer the humble hard working vehicle it once was; today's ute is now also refined, sophisticated, safe and sporty.  Utes like the Mitsubishi Triton now regularly appear on our bestseller lists, among with perennially popular cars like the Commodore, Corolla and Falcon.The ML Triton arrived on these shores in 2006 amid much fanfare about its funky styling, but it has since become a popular part of our ute culture.MODEL WATCHAustralia has one of the strongest ute markets in the world. And where utes were once bare and basic work vehicles with very few frills and even less safety, the latest generation, of which the ML Triton is a member, are much more refined, better equipped, and slowly but surely they're becoming safer.There was much debate over the looks of the ML Triton leading up to its launch, opinion was divided over whether it looked good or was too swoopy.  Three years on the debate has ceased and the Triton has become part of the regular road scenery.The debate over its looks centred on the curved rear wall of the double cab ute's cabin, but it was done with a purpose in mind, to increase the space inside the cabin.  Where most dual-cab utes had a flat rear cabin wall that meant the rear seat had to be vertical with little adjustment, the rear seat in the Triton could be cranked back and was more comfortable as a result.Mitsubishi described the look as striking, sporty and futuristic, and there could be little argument with that.  The range included two and four-wheel drive models, with single and dual cabs, ute or tray bodies, petrol and diesel engines, and three model lines.The 3.2-litre common rail turbo diesel engine was new and boasted 118kW at 4000rpm and 347Nm at 2000rpm.  On the road it was very flexible with good pulling power, and economical to boot.  The 3.5-litre petrol alternative was a single overhead cam unit that put out 135kW at 4750rpm and 309Nm at 3500rpm.Transmissions offered were a five-speed manual and a four-speed auto.  Four-wheel drive models had high and low ratio with the ability to change between two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive 'high' on the move at up to 100 km/h. The changeover is done using a lever on the console alongside the gear lever.For those wanting more traction Mitsubishi offered a rear diff-lock, which was operated by a button on the dash.  Underneath, the ML had coil springs at the front with leaf springs at the back, large ventilated front discs and big rear drums, ABS braking and electronic brake force distribution.Three model lines were offered beginning with the GLX, which came in single and double cab variants with petrol and diesel engines, GLX-R double cabs, and the fully equipped GLS rounded out the range.IN THE SHOPTritons were built to do the hard yards off the beaten track or on the job site rather than soft miles in suburbia so look for signs of such use.  Check underneath for damage caused by extended use offroad, such as gravel rash, or bashed and bent brackets, exhausts, suspension components and floor pans etc.Plenty have been used for family transport, towing a boat or caravan, so look for those.  Make sure of regular servicing with routine oil changes so engines don't get clogged up with sludge.Also look for crash damage, particularly look for poor repairs that would cut the value of a vehicle.  The ML Triton is generally a sound, reliable and durable vehicle that gives little trouble; there are no major flaws to report.IN A CRASHDriver and front passenger airbags are standard across all models, along with ABS braking and EBD for optimum brakeforce at each wheel.ANCAP rated the ML Triton at four stars.AT THE PUMPWith relatively large displacement engines the Triton isn't a fuel miser, and particularly so as a four-wheel drive. Expect to see 12-13 L/100 km around town, with autos a little higher and diesels a little lower.LOOK FOR. Funky styling.. Roomy interior. Flexible diesel engine. Four-star safety. Robust and reliableTHE BOTTOM LINEGood driving and comfortable ute that can double as a workhorse or flexible family transporter.RATING85/100

THEY'RE called “Tuppies” - tradie urban professionals - and they are buying utes in record numbers.In fact, the Toyota HiLux has been the top-selling vehicle in Queensland over the past year and was the top seller in Australia in April.And it's easy to see why. They are versatile vehicles that fit work, family and lifestyle needs.During the week they ferry kids to school, carry tools to work sites, bring home everything from groceries to furniture, and on the weekend they are packed with the family and their bikes, surfboards, camping gear and hitting the great outdoors.Here, the four-wheel-drive capacity of most of these vehicles extends the versatility even further.So we decided to take the three most popular dual-cab four-wheel-drive utilities as far from their comfort zones as possible.Far from the clutter and rush of city life.Far, even, from the usual recreation sites on the beaches and the coastal countryside.Out beyond cultivated crops, traffic lights, fences, livestock.Out into the Simpson Desert, one of Australia's last great destinations for adventurers.The line-up naturally included the HiLux, plus the Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton, all turbo diesels and autos, except for the HiLux.We packed them to the rafters with two people per vehicle, a host of camping gear and provisions, a trail bike each, plus seven 20-litre jerry cans full of back-up diesel and unleaded petrol for the desolate journey ahead.It was an expensive payload, not just for the bikes and gear, but for the fuel with diesel prices ranging from about $1.76 a litre in Brisbane to over $2 at Birdsville.The cast and crew on the trip included: 4WD touring expert Brad McCarthy; Craig Lowndes's race engineer, Jeromy Moore; and mechanic and owner of two Ultratune stores, Shane Plumridge.And this is what we found:TRAYS: This is the pivotal point of these vehicles; their ability to haul your gear.On paper, the HiLux was the longest and widest, but in the real world of packing awkward-shaped equipment such as generators, bikes, jerry cans and camping gear, it is the practical space that matters, not statistics.That made the versatile Navara the clear winner with its numerous movable tie-down points which could be placed in any position and the low and small wheel arches which meant the effective load area was bigger and more usable.The HiLux and the Triton had only four fixed tie-down points and the Triton struggled to fit a bike with the tailgate strapped half open.HANDLING: Around town and without a load these things jiggle about a fair bit.They all bounced around and lost traction easily, particularly in the wet. These vehicles really should come with traction and stability control as standard.The worst was the HiLux, while the Triton was the easiest to lock under brakes.Navara and Triton had the best ride with little or no load and felt at ease in the 'burbs.It was a totally different story with a load and serious piece of track underneath the wheels.Suddenly the jiggly HiLux was smooth and controllable, while the Triton tended to wallow, pitch and roll around.Moore said the Navara felt “nervous” in the steering, but I found it and the Triton more precise than the rather vague feel of the HiLux.Despite them all having fairly equal load weights, only the Navara bottomed out.If you spent the price difference between it and the HiLux on springs and shocks, you could equal the HiLux handling.ENGINES: The Triton has the largest capacity engine, but the least amount of power.But with a diesel engine, it is the torque that does the talking and all vehicles acquitted themselves well when presented with the ultimate obstacle to torque: a big sandy hill.And the biggest and sandiest of them all is Big Red, over 50m of steep, red sand which lies about 40km west of Birdsville and marks the start of the Simpson Desert.As McCarthy said: “All three vehicles waltzed up Big Red like it was a speed bump.”The only one to baulk at the hill was the HiLux on one occasion but only because the driver chose the wrong gear and had to quickly try to manually change his selection half way up; always a recipe for losing momentum which is critical in the war against sand.Auto transmissions really are the way to go in the sand.While these diesels are not smooth and quiet like most modern car diesels, they were not obnoxiously loud. The best performance on noise, vibration and harshness is the Navara, while the HiLux and Triton are not far behind.FUEL ECONOMY: Even though the HiLux had the advantage in the fuel economy stakes because of the manual box, it was no better than the HiLux which has the biggest capacity engine.Both recorded about 10 litres per 100km on the two-wheel-drive trot out to Birdsville with full loads.Despite all vehicles loping along at around 2000rpm at 100km/h the Navara chewed the most fuel at 12L/100km.Although we couldn't accurately test economy in the sand where we were refuelling from jerry cans, we predicted that the slow going in low-range four-wheel drive raised consumption by as much as 20 per cent with no real advantages for the manual.BUILD: They have to make them tough to take the beating they get from tradies, but we were surprised by the ease of the trays to scuff up and buckle from the loads, even though they were tied down.The HiLux and Navara are well protected underneath, but the Triton had a couple of exposed wires on the drive actuator which Plumridge said looked vulnerable.His assessment proved correct when a wire was torn loose on the return journey. While it didn't effect drive operation, it left the display confused.Running bush mechanic repairs with superglue and the refill from a Bic pen proved helpful.McCarthy expressed surprise at the Triton's underbelly vulnerability “considering Mitsubishi's Dakar heritage”.Bulldust and the fine sand of the Simpson Desert was largely kept out of the vehicles, except for when you opened the door. However the Triton and Navara had minor leakages around the doors.Wading through shallow water and bog holes after recent rains proved no problems for any of the vehicles.None used a drop of oil, despite a long haul in low-range across the endless Simpson Desert dunes.We cleaned the air filters on a couple of occasions, glad to see they had all worked very well.ACCOMMODATION: Even though these vehicles are made for blokes and therefore don't include a vanity mirror on the driver's side, passengers are well looked after in modern utes.There are few features missing and the modern adventurer can only wonder how tough it was for the pioneers with their camels and lack of aircon.Still, each could do with reach-adjustable steering wheels, audio controls on the steering wheel and 12 volt outputs in the tray, although they have two each inside.What we liked was the Navara's cruise control, spacious interior and folding back seat, the Triton's comprehensive on-board computer, and the HiLux's simple compass, its 10 cupholders and Bluetooth capability.Goldilocks would find the Navara seats too hard, the HiLux seats too soft and the Triton seats just right. But none had good lateral support.VERDICT: The Triton is the cheapest and feels the nicest inside, the tamest in the concrete jungle and the best on fuel economy without sacrificing power and torque.Despite being a city slicker at heart, it still managed to rocket up Big Red and had few qualms about any of the terrain where we took it.Suspension and vulnerability underneath are its weak points, but these could be rectified with a bash plate and stronger springs and shocks.The Navara is a very capable machine in any environment, but is let down by its suspension and economy.We like the rugged macho style inside and out, especially the well-thought-out tray with its clever tie-down points.Spend a few thousand on suspension and it could be a winner.However, the HiLux comes out on top, despite its price (this auto version costs another $2000).It feels robust, well-equipped and drives well with a heavy load.McCarthy admits he is a Toyota fan, but said the HiLux confirmed it: “The HiLux really did feel "unbreakable" in the desert conditions.“The HiLux felt like it could easily take all 1100 of the Simpson's dunes in its stride and come out unscathed and eager for more. It really did feel bulletproof.“I must admit the Triton and Navara coped pretty well too … but I felt I had to be a quite a bit gentler with them.”You also have to pay some attention to the outback locals who seem to favour Toyota.On the drive from Miles to Quilpie, we passed 79 cars, 57 Toyota SUVs, 40 trucks, 21 Nissan SUVs, 12 vans, 10 Ford SUVs and nine Mitsubishi SUVs.West of Quilpie it's almost entirely Toyota. Toyota HiLux Double Cab SR5PRICE: $50,430ENGINE: 3.0-litre EDI twin-cam turbo-dieselPOWER: 120kW @ 3400rpmTORQUE: 343Nm @ 1400-3200rpmTRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual ($2000 for 4-speed auto)DIMENSIONS (mm): 5255 (l), 1835 (w), 1810 (h), 3085 (wheelbase), 210 (clearance)TRACK: 1540mmAngles : 30_ approach, 23_ departureTRAY (mm): 1520 (l), 1515 (w), 450 (h)KERB WEIGHT: 1815-1865kgTOWING: 750kg (unbraked), 2250kg (braked)FUEL: 76-litre tankECONOMY: 10L/100km (highway and fully loaded) Nissan Navara D40 Dual Cab STXPRICE: $47,990ENGINE: 2.5-litre intercooled turbo dieselPOWER: 126kW @ 4000rpmTORQUE: 403Nm @ 2000rpmTRANSMISSION: 5-speed autoDIMENSIONS (mm): 5220 (l), 1850 (w), 1779 (h), 3200 (wheelbase), 217 (clearance)TRACK: 1570mmANGLES: 29_ approach, 22_ departureTRAY (mm): 1511 (l), 1560 (w), 457 (h)KERB WEIGHT: 1995kgTOWING: 750kg (unbraked), 3000kg (braked)FUEL: 80-litre tankECONOMY: 12.1L/100km (highway and fully loaded) Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R Dual CabPRICE: $47,490ENGINE: 3.2-litre DOHC, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, intercooled turbo dieselPOWER: 118kW @ 3800rpmTORQUE: 343Nm @ 2000rpmTRANSMISSION: 4-speed autoDIMENSIONS (mm): 5174 (l), 1800 (w), 1760 (h), 3000 (wheelbase), 205 (clearance)TRACK: 1520mm (front), 1515mm (rear)ANGLES: 33_ approach, 29_ departure, 27_ breakoverTRAY (mm): 1325 (l), 1470 (w), 405 (h)KERB WEIGHT: 1965kgTOWING: 750kg (unbraked), 2500kg (braked)FUEL: 75-litre tankECONOMY: 10L/100km (highway and fully loaded)The Courier Mail 

Mitsubishi Triton has a pretty good reputation for being a tough ute and in its current shape a bit of a style leader, too. Its latest variant could be a sales winner. The 4x2 Tritons now can be had with a new 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine and with an automatic transmission.Mitsubishi found that when it introduced a 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder engine to Triton last year, its two-wheel-drive ute sales soared.The fuel-frugal, torquey diesel engine, and with the option of an automatic transmission, should add to that.It's 2008 and not everyone wants to, or can, drive a manual vehicle. Manufacturers used to have diesel engines mated only to manuals - devices that can be laborious to use.The four-speed automatic on the Triton diesel makes life a breeze - as easy as driving a medium-size automatic sedan.I drove the single-cab version, excellent value at $22,990 for a five-speed manual and $24,990 for the automatic.It includes airconditioning, power windows, cruise control, central locking and remote keyless entry.The two bucket seats are fairly comfortable and appear to be covered in hard-wearing fabric.There's not much cabin stowage space behind the seats, especially for taller people.The cabin is minimalist but well finished. The 2.5-litre turbodiesel generates 100kW of power at 3800rpm and a healthy 314Nm of torque at 2000rpm. Mated to the automatic transmission, acceleration from traffic lights is smooth and at a respectable rate.The auto shift lever has an overdrive button.Exterior mirrors are manually adjusted but are a good shape and size.The 4x2 sits high, with good ground clearance, like its 4x4 Triton brothers and has beefy suspension (coil springs front, leaf springs rear).It was purpose-built as a ute, not a passenger car derivative.The 2.5-litre diesel, and the optional automatic transmission, also are available in the Triton dual-cab ute as a 4x2. Small torqueCustomise The Mitsubishi Triton 4x2 with 2.5-litre diesel comes in one trim level, the GXL, with 16 inch, six-stud steel wheels. Option packs are available to customise the vehicle.Good sizeThe single-cab on test has good load area. Even with a tray liner, it offers 2150mm of load length and is 98cm wide between wheel arches. The tailgate has an adjustable angle or drops down. The ute has six chrome tie hooks.Automatic choiceTriton 4X2 ute with 2.5-litre turbodiesel and four-speed automatic sits at 2200rpm at 110km/h.Other choicesThe Triton range includes single and dual-cab, ute style or cab-chassis, 4x2 and 4x4. The 2.5-litre diesel joins the 2.4-litre and 3.5-litre V6 petrol engines for 4x2 Tritons. The 4x4 Tritons have the 3.5-litre V6 petrol or 3.2-litre CDI diesel. “Customer feedback suggests the two-wheel-drive diesel - especially with the automatic transmission - is a variant that will find great popularity,” says Mitsubishi boss Rob McEniry.