Triton’s beast mode on a budget
Finds out how the entry-level double cab Triton goes during lockdown level 3.
While the Tritonmay be old enough to start attending primary school this year, it’s still a decent workhorse.
Thanks to lockdown restrictions dropping to level 3, we were able to sample the entry-level GLX-R to see how it stacks against the 2020 competition.
What’s new about it?
Not a huge amount, given we’d already tested the facelifted Triton last year. It won our Top Ute award though, which says a lot about the Mitsi given the Ranger and Hilux were dominating the sales charts until Covid-19 happened.
The GLX-R is the base double-cab of the Triton range, asking $38k in two-wheel-drive form, the model on test here.
It uses the same 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine as the rest of the range, although folks might overlook our tester in favour of the four-wheeldrive version (add $4k).
Last year’s update gave the Triton a new look as well as improved tech, with the GLX-R now getting Android Auto/apple Carplay as standard.
While it gets forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning, it does lack blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
ANCAP gave the Triton a five-star safety rating too, though that was back in 2015 and testing criteria have since changed.
How does it all come together?
Make no mistake, the Triton is a good ute. Given level 3 restrictions were still in place during our time with it, we weren’t willing to go out and do some proper testing.
However, being the 2WD version, this Glx-rwill probably be bought mainly by tradies in urban centres needing a cheap workhorse that won’t often need 4x4 capabilities. We can confirm, however, that the Triton will haul two second-hand wooden planters and half a dozen plastic pots with ease.
The 2.5-litre engine is a good thing too, offering a healthy amount of torque with relatively frugal consumption of 8.4L/100km.
Our tester was the automatic, though those on a tighter budget can check out the manual version for $33,990, although it loses the forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning.
Any other utes to consider?
Well, the Ranger and Hilux are the biggest rivals. The Ranger asks a few bob more than the Triton, with double cab variants starting at $47,490 but the Hilux 2Wdworkmate is just shy of $30k.
You swap the torquey diesel for a 122kw/245nm 2.7-litre petrol engine, lose some towing capacity (2500kg v 3000kg braked) and a fair number of features but gain safety creds like active cruise control, and autonomous emergency braking.
A closer rival would be the 2WD Prerunner SR, which starts at $38,990 and has a kit list nearer to the Triton.
Additionally, buyers should consider the Ssangyong Rhino and LDV T60, which start at $29,990 and $31,990 for the base automatic versions respectively, but then add 4WD for around the same money as the Triton GLX-R.