Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Volkswagen Crafter vs Mitsubishi Triton

What's the difference?

VS
Volkswagen Crafter
Volkswagen Crafter

$56,750 - $83,200

2024 price

Mitsubishi Triton
Mitsubishi Triton

$30,740 - $63,840

2024 price

Summary

2024 Volkswagen Crafter
2024 Mitsubishi Triton
Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.4L
Fuel Type
-

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
-

7.7L/100km (combined)
Seating
-

5
Dislikes
  • Good value, but still a lot of money
  • Won't cut it as a daily car outside holidays
  • Needs plenty of real estate for parking or storage

  • Driver attention alert
  • No folding rear seat
  • No underfloor cabin storage
2024 Volkswagen Crafter Summary

Long before a hash-tag was anything more than a confusing symbol on a typewriter, vanlife was already a thing.

And you can largely thank Volkswagen for that because its Kombi models from the 1950s, '60s and '70s help cement the idea of roaming around the planet in a self-contained car-cum-house as a counter-culture favourite. More than that, the affordable, rugged Kombi made it actually possible.

Back then, there were a couple of paths to tread. You could take a second-hand butcher’s or florist’s Kombi van (windows optional) and trick it out with a bed, a table and whatever gear you needed to survive on the road.

Or, if the cash was around in sufficient quantities, you could buy a Kombi brand-new and have it converted to camper spec. And of all those brand-new conversion options, Volkswagen’s own, in-house conversion supplier, Westfalia was (and is) regarded as the pick of the crop.

So, when VW announces a 21st Century take on the concept of a factory campervan, those who like the idea of a lap of Australia but don’t like caravans or towing, are suddenly all ears.

Like most things, the latter-day VW camper has grown a size or two over the last six or seven decades. Which is why the factory Kampervan TD1410 4 Motion (to give it its full name) is based on the long-wheelbase, high-roof version of the Crafter van rather than the original Transporter layout. (There’s still the VW Multivan-based California if the Kampervan is too big.)

But just as commercial vehicles have become bigger and more sophisticated, and glamping has grown out of actual camping, does the modern take on a hippy legend make the grade in 2024? And does the Volkswagen offering retain any of the charm of the original campervan?

Oh, and forget about Westfalia. This conversion is the work of none other than Aussie caravan specialist Jayco.

The deal between Jayco and VW locally, means this variant of the Crafter Kampervan is an Australia-only deal.

View full pricing & specs
2024 Mitsubishi Triton Summary

The Mitsubishi Triton has been a solid seller in Australia since the first generation L200 was launched in the late 1970s. The Triton has since evolved through five generations and achieved global sales of 5.6 million units.

Although sold in 150 countries, Australia remains one of its most important markets. As a result, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) product planners played a pivotal role in development of the latest sixth generation Triton, working with an international team of Mitsubishi R&D engineers across four continents since 2017.

Evidence of this influence is that locally delivered versions of the new Triton, which steps up to class-benchmark 3500kg towing and one-tonne payloads, feature unique-to-Australia suspension tuning.

We were recently handed the keys to assess the ‘New-Gen’ Triton from a tradie’s perspective, to see if it has what it takes to challenge for top spot in the local ute wars.

View full pricing & specs
Interested in a Mitsubishi Triton?

Deep dive comparison

2024 Volkswagen Crafter 2024 Mitsubishi Triton

Change vehicle