[Review] 2016 Mitsubishi Triton GLS
We like big cars here at NZ TechBlog, which is why we’ve got the 2016 Mitsubishi Triton here for a test drive! It has been very practical as I can take four extra passengers and have ample amount of cargo room in the ute tray. I’ve also been putting in the Segway x2 SE Personal Transporter in the back of the ute lately, but now that I’ve got the smaller Segway miniPro, that can just sit in the back seats.
This vehicle is powered by a 2.4L diesel engine which cranks out a massive 135kW of power and 437Nm of torque. This creates a hefty 3,100kg braked towing capacity and payload of 960kg while only getting around 8-9L/100KM of fuel. When you compare this to the Toyota Hilux SR5, it’s 2.8L turbocharged diesel engine only produces a maximum power of 130kW and 450Nm of torque (in auto)!
Steering is a bit stiff and the speakers are a bit muffled when turned up. The 6″ touch screen entertainment system is a bit outdated and is the same system as the Mitsubishi ASX we tested out last time. FYI the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the newer entertainment system which I really like, or if you purchase the limited edition Triton Charger-X, you get everything in my Triton GLS model, plus leather seats, diff lock and the updated 7″ touch screen system with satellite navigation. The Triton Charger-X was originally priced at $62,990 but has now been selling at a very good promotional price of $49,990. I think this is a very good deal.
The Mitsubishi Triton is known for its 4WD system – MATT (Mitsubishi All Terrain Technology). It lets you get to grips with most surfaces. My GLS model has an advanced 4WD system (called Super Select 4WD) that can be driven in 4WD on tar-seal which helps with safety by providing maximum grip on the road. Super Select lets you choose between 2WD High Range, 4WD High Range with Locked Center Differential, Full-time 4WD and 4WD Low Range with Locked Center Differential. 4WD High Range is best used in rugged or slippery conditions whereas 4WD Low Range is best used for slow crawling your way out of tough mud.
My Triton GLS model featured 17″ alloy wheels, automatic rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, sport suspension, cruise control, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry with push-button start. I really like vehicles with automatic headlights and automatic rain-sensing wipers that work. In some of the previous cars I’ve tested out with automatic rain-sensing wipers, when the rain stopped the wipers were still going. In the Triton the automatic wipers worked pretty well albeit a few errors once or twice.
The Mitsubishi Triton looks very smart and flash on the outside, especially when clean. It had got a bit dirty going down to Muriwai beach in West Auckland so I gave it a quick clean and it was back to spanking new again. The inside cabin consisted of fabric seats, which in my opinion doesn’t make for a freezing bum when getting in early in the morning. Well to be precise, the front seats across the entire 2016 Triton range are sports bucket seats so they are just that little bit more comfy to sit in.
As I said before, the Triton cabin can easily fit five decent-sized men. The picture you can see above, the rear doors seems to be smaller than the front doors. However, once you get in, the seats in front are always able to be moved forward for extra leg room at the back. The contoured chrome-finished side steps for each door are also a nice touch to this sport-orientated ute. It makes the ute look polished, and did I mention the “J” line the outside back of the cabin has with the ute tray?
The Triton GLS is very flexible in terms of your needs. There is the option of a 6-speed manual transmission, or a 5-speed auto. While the 5-speed auto does seem a step down from most 6-speed auto transmission these days, it nevertheless has a good amount of power when the going gets tough. The 3,100kg braked towing capacity also isn’t far off with the likes of the Toyota Hilux which has a braked towing capacity of 3,200kg. As this particular model of the Triton is a sports model, it has paddle-shifters too!
One of the best things about utes are their accessories. They literally make or break the appearance of your vehicle, and the actual vehicle. For example, if I were to customise this Triton GLS I would add on a couple of the accessories offered by Mitsubishi, such as the under cover protector, a deck liner (which this one already has), a nudge bar, sports bar & 2-piece hard lid, weathershield, side door garnish and the tow bar (again which this one already has).
While even the top-spec’d limited edition model of the 2016 Mitsubishi Triton can’t match the more tech contained in the top-selling 2016 Ford Ranger, the Triton certainly does bring very good bang for your buck. Considering the limited edition model of the Triton only costs $49,990 at present, plus with Mitsubishi’s generous 10-year Powertrain and 5-year New Vehicle warranty, it is a very hard deal to miss. And according to the Mitsubishi website, there are only 130 Charger-X Tritons left!
For more information please visit: https://www.mmnz.co.nz/triton/
