Buying a used Mitsubishi Triton MQ Series (2015-2018)

The Mitsubishi Triton MQ Series came with lots more space, adventurous styling, and as somewhat of a shock to the traditionally conservative one-tonne ute market.

New in mid-2015, the MQ offered two- or four-wheel drive and three levels of trim. All were diesel-powered with six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

The shape, while not confronting to the same degree as the related Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, drew inspiration from the same place and Mitsubishi was taking somewhat of a risk.  However, it was one that paid off.

Pricing was adventurous as well and that certainly didn’t hurt sales. The cheapest 4x4 Triton (single cab/chassis manual) cost $32,490, while a similar-spec Toyota HiLux with 3.0 litres but less power and a lot less torque was $3000 dearer.

Mitsubishi was gambling as well by further reducing the capacity of its diesel engine. The preceding 2.5-litre was already seen by some as undersized, particularly when pitted against Toyota’s 3.0-litre or the 3.2 that had been fitted to older Tritons.

However, the little engine delivered 133kW and 430Nm and was able to meet any challenge laid down by other four-cylinder diesels.

Tritons sold predominantly in what had become Australia’s most popular automotive configuration: the dual-cab ute. Here, a mid-level GLS manual cost $40,990 plus on-road costs – auto added $2500 – with the glammed-up Exceed topping out at $47,490.

Below them sat the basic GLX with rubber flooring and minimal frills. It was practical rather than plush, but still with enough inside to satisfy families who wanted a resilient off-roader. Air-conditioning, power steering and a CD player remained standard fittings, with ABS brakes and cruise control now included in the $36,990 starting price.

The top-of-the-heap Exceed delivered lots in the way of comfort and safety features and that should encourage buyers of used Tritons to spend a little more on the top-spec model.

Seats, the steering wheel and gearshift all have leather trim, the levers and handles are chromed to make them a little more obvious and the insulated floor provides a noticeable barrier to road racket.

Four-wheel drive Tritons used Mitsubishi’s ‘Easy Select’ transmission, with three modes and lots of electronic assistance. While 2WD (2H) mode was the preferred setting for sealed road use, GLS and Exceed versions could be left in high-range 4WD (4H) on any surface without causing transmission damage.

Manual models included hill start assist – a system Subaru and some Studebaker owners had been using for decades – which eliminated clutch and handbrake juggling when restarting on an incline.

Despite litigation which exposed the MQ’s failure to deliver advertised fuel consumption figures, not all owners have been disappointed by the 2.4-litre engine’s thirst and new buyers even around the time the case was receiving plentiful publicity seemingly didn’t care. Total sales for 2019 hovered around 26,000 – almost identical to the 2018 figure and up by almost 5000 units on the MQ’s introductory result of 21,987 in 2016.

Owners report overall consumption when lightly loaded remaining generally below 10L/100km and dropping towards 7L/100km when running in cruise mode on the highway. A load, hilly terrain or caravan tagging behind is going to drain the tank considerably faster. Also, the cruise function can be annoying in autos as they continually hunt for a more effective ratio.

Safety was an impressive aspect of the new Mitsubishi Triton’s design and the MQ romped its way to a maximum five-star ANCAP rating. Crash test videos show minimal passenger cell deformation with lots of airbags deploying, but most impressive was the 16/16 rating achieved in the side impact test.

If you own an older Mitsubishi Triton and need to update, or you have another brand and fancy a change, the MQ Series is worth a look.

Mitsubishi’s effort won’t be the absolute answer to everyone’s needs, however if you spend more time ferrying family than hauling heavy loads then the MQ dual-cab will certainly deliver.

The main attraction is abundant space inside the cabin and tray. The 950kg of legal load represents lots of bricks or a decent scoop of garden soil; just a shame it won’t quite fit a standard-sized pallet between the intrusive wheel-arches.

Like most utes of its kind, the Mitsubishi Triton sits tall on its 70-series rubber and accessing the passenger area without a side step can stretch the quads in ways you don’t want. Once aboard though, the plain-looking seats do a good job of supporting your back and thighs. Squishing the back seat passengers just a little ensures enough adjustment to suit most drivers.

Down the back the ancient leaf spring arrangement remains. It allows commercial users to pack plenty into the high-sided tray while the 3.1-tonne maximum braked towing capacity means family buyers can sling a hefty boat or caravan behind and trade owners can drag the digger to isolated places.

Steering seems a bit over-assisted and woolly, however that can be affected by tyre type. Braking is okay but lots of advertisement for aftermarket brake upgrades suggests owners might not be all that convinced by the standard stoppers.

Automatic transmission reportedly works fine in most off-road situations, so unless you’re a die-hard it will probably do the job. Also, for owners who spend hours commuting or heading to job sites, the five-speed unit is smooth and quiet with manual override to help when swift acceleration is needed.

The 4x4 versions have selectable all-wheel drive that can be engaged on the move at up to 100km/h. For rough going there are diff locks plus hill descent control and stability assistance.

>> Vehicles of this age should not be looking tatty unless they have been used in unfriendly terrain or suffered inordinate abuse. Nor should they be showing any rust. Exceptions include minor damage to the tray interior and underbody, with scuffing due to off-roading or dents from objects left loose in the tray promoting rust. Remove the bed liner if one is fitted to check the floor.

>> Manual Tritons can jump out of gear (usually third) so check this by tapping the lever gently while accelerating. A retro-fix was available via Mitsubishi service departments and also provided better protection against accidentally selecting reverse.

>> Diesels that blow black smoke or won’t rev should be avoided. Carbon deposits adhere to manifolds and block the EGR (gas return) valve, affecting performance and costing sizeable amounts to rectify. Systems that bypass the EGR are available but they contravene emissions regulations and can cause engine damage.

>> Excessive diesel ‘clatter’ at start-up or under load isn’t just an irritation. It could signal that critical valve clearances are in urgent need of adjustment to prevent damage.

>> Rear springs subject to constant heavy loads will sag, producing a rough ride when unladen and potentially dangerous bottoming. Look for around 100mm of clearance between tyres on 4WDs and the wheel-arch. Also check that the vehicle sits squarely on its springs.

>> Ute interiors tend to suffer damage earlier in life than passenger cars but be wary of torn trim, badly damaged carpets and cracked plastic. These things won’t affect the way a Triton drives but can provide justification to shave a bit off the price.

Used vehicle grading for Mitsubishi Triton MQ Series:
Design & Function: 14/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for Money: 13/20
Wow Factor: 12/20
Score: 69/100

Also consider: Toyota HiLux, Nissan Navara, Volkswagen Amarok