Can the Triton take on its competitors?
Mitsubishi recently launched its Triton locally – a few years after it was made available overseas. Jaco Kirsten drove it and tried to establish if it can compete with its peers.
The launch of a new bakkie in South Africa usually goes hand in hand with the same kind of excitement and discussions that precede the appointment of a new Springbok rugby coach. It’s too short here and not long enough there and it doesn’t matter who it is, there will always be someone who knows better. By this time it’s no secret that for the past year or two Mitsubishi South Africa felt that the rand/dollar exchange rate made it difficult to import the new Triton at a competitive price. However, after the rand strengthened last year (while we’re holding our breath to see how the honourary minister Gigaba will fare), Mitsubishi could finally start importing the Triton. The first question is: How good is the new Triton? The short answer: Very good, thank you. But you do have to qualify this statement with: These days there isn’t such a thing as a poor bakkie, regardless what the more-brawn-than-brains ’okes claim over a few brandies and Coke late at night in the Dorsbult bar. The new Triton has clear similarities with its forerunner, especially the slanted line between the loading bin and the cabin. Do you still remember how everyone choked in their coffee when the previous Triton came out with it? Now it doesn’t even look funny anymore, and the advantage of such a design is more space in the cabin without lengthening the wheelbase.
Pop the hood
Like the majority of other manufacturers, Mitsubishi also decided that smaller is better, and the top model 4x4 double cab now has a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine. The 2.4 Di-DC, as the company calls the engine, develops 133 kW and 430 Nm, which compares favourably with the Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 (130 kW and 450 Nm), the Ford Ranger 3.2 TDCi (147 kW and 470 Nm), VW Amarok 2.0 BiTDI (132kW and 420Nm), Nissan Navara 2.3D (140 kW and 450 Nm) and Isuzu 3.0 D-TEQ (130 kW and 380 Nm). The only area where we feel they could have done more is with the choice of a 5-speed automatic gearbox – compare this with the Amarok’s 8 gears (with no low-range gearbox), the Navara’s 7 (with low range), and the Hilux’s 6-speed gearbox. The Triton 2.4 Di-DC manual has 6 gears, but these days 6 gears are more or less standard for an automatic 4x4 bakkie.
The Triton, however, has
one trump card in the form of its superb Super Select II four-wheel-drive system. Most
bakkies (with the exception of the Amarok that has no low range and is permanently in four-wheel drive) give you a choice between 2H, 4H (where the transfer case is locked to effectively do the same as a full-time 4x4 where the middle differential is locked) and 4L. The Triton, however, gives you a choice between 4H (where a middle differential stays open, so you can use tar road too) and 4HLc, where the middle differential is locked. No other bakkie on the market has this system and it’s really an impressive piece of technology with a definite advantage for everyday use. The inside is luxe and if you have to be honest, there’s really very little to compare it to in terms of the cabins of other local double cabs. Appearancewise it’s probably not in the same league as the Navara, not exactly as handsome as the Ranger, but better looking than the Hilux. The Amarok remains a study in elegant functionality, while the Isuzu is seriously starting to draw a pension. That said, the Isuzu is an utterly solid and dependable bakkie with which you can travel from the Cape to Cairo with peace of mind. The Triton’s list of equipment is complete, with the usual things like leather seats, adjustable steering wheel (tilting and telescopic), rear camera, stability control, hill-start assist, keyless entry, and an infotainment system with touch screen. But after a week I still couldn’t pair it to my iPhone via Bluetooth. I usually get it right within minutes with other bakkies, so there’s either something wrong or the system is too complicated for a motoring journalist with 18 years’ experience. Off-road the Triton is very capable, despite a ground clearance of 215 mm, which on paper isn’t very impressive. Bear in mind that this is more than the Amarok’s modest 192 mm which doesn’t seem to be a problem anywhere. Its handling on dirt road is also good and predictable, although it’s not as good as the new Navara. But then again, the Navara’s rear coil springs mean that no other bakkie can compete with its dirt-road handling. Standing on the sales room floor, the Triton has the same shortcomings than any other standard 4x4 double cab: it needs proper tyres, the running boards need to be replaced with rock sliders, and you can benefit from specialist suspension from a leading manufacturer. The million dollar question that the more-brawn-thanbrains ’okes in Dorsbult bar should ask, instead of bleating “You should rather buy a Hilux!” is how it compares with its competitors. With regards to engine power, it’s more or less in the middle of the group. And let’s be honest with each other: If 133 kW and 430 Nm isn’t enough, you’re doing something wrong. Its equipment levels are also on par with those of its competitors and the same counts for its offroad abilities. Which leaves you with a) taste, and b) price. The former is subjective and there’s nothing I or anyone else can say to change your opinion. Personally I think it’s a good-looking bakkie and the chrome grille doesn’t bother me as much as it did in the beginning. By the way, I thought the new Fortuner’s nose and fog lights were hideous, but now it looks normal. With regards to price, here’s how things stand: The Triton 2.4 Di-DC 4x4 automatic costs R599 900. Its competitors are priced as follows: Hilux – R573 500, Amarok – R645 900, Ranger – R588 900, Navara – R584 900 and Isuzu KB – R563 900. Price-wise it therefore has a slight challenge to overcome. I have no doubt that it’s an excellent bakkie that can easily take on its competitors. But whether I’ll pay more for it than a Hilux, Navara or Ranger is something I’m not too sure about.