Mitsubishi ML Triton GLX 2006 Review

7-day Test

The first thing you will notice from the above description is that the test vehicle was optioned-up like a Christmas tree. The GLX is the base model Triton twin cab. No matter how you option the GLX, it will always look and feel like the poverty model when it misses out on the premium grille, extra paint, wheel arch extensions, chrome mirrors and door handles.

If you don't want your ute to look like a rat with a gold tooth, it is always better to go straight to the GLX-R or GLS which both start with extra luxury touches not available as options along with most of the above features as standard.

Ultimately, this test must judge whether the GLX works as a poverty pack against its rivals and whether the $4000 saving over the GLX-R Pick-up makes sense.

There is one vital feature that could cause it to be eliminated from anyone wanting a secure, family cruiser. The GLX comes standard with skinny steel wheels (6X16 inch) with 205/80R16 road tyres that are simply not up to the job.  Because the GLX doesn't have the upper-level wheel arch extensions, this locks it into a $1000 skinny alloy wheel option that attracts damage with its flush spoke design so it can wear the same skinny tyres.

The GLX was the first test vehicle in recent memory that ran out of grip in the dry at both the front and rear with relatively little provocation. That must make it a worry in the wet.

For a vehicle tipping the scales at 1860kg with 135kW/309Nm of grunt, this tyre size, which is skinnier than most modern family cars, is not enough for local speeds especially with an empty tray. It even makes the otherwise butch-looking Triton look like a tadpole sitting on toothpicks.

By comparison, the GLX-R and GLS come standard with a 7X16 inch alloy that not only looks the goods but carries a 245/70R16 tyre that goes some of the way to filling the Triton's huge wheelarches.

Such a big difference can make standard model twin-cabs and four wheel drives much harder to sell when used as private buyers don't like them and hard core commercial buyers prefer new ones.

For some of its more ponderous rivals, such a tyre deficit would not be a worry but the ML Triton has such an outstanding highway chassis that it encourages the driver to push on. Its clever cab design also makes it one of the best and most comfortable as a passenger vehicle with plenty of width, a better rear seat backrest angle and more leg room than most of the current crop. 

Because the design favours the passenger carrying role, the lack of high speed grip is more of a concern than it otherwise would be. The Triton is neither the first nor the only one of its type from Thailand where the gap in market requirements has not been adequately plugged.

The ML Triton catches and passes the class leaders with its coil spring double wishbone front end. It looks and feels bulletproof with its strut-type spring and damper units plus two massive twin-point wishbones.

A substantial spring tower above the chassis highlights the extra cost over the harsher torsion bar front ends once the norm in these vehicles. It also has forward mounted rack and pinion steering that eliminates the lost motion at straight ahead in cruder designs without passing excessive road shock through to the driver. It is a very quick and neutral handler and the heavy duty GLX suspension rides much better than expected.

The normal offroad route was abandoned after we found we were using the optional rear diff lock a little too often for comfort. The tyres don't even pretend to be suitable for offroad. If you were an offroader, the only reason you would buy a GLX is to use the standard tyres on a jetty and fit your choice of skinny mud treads. Anything wider requires the wheelarch extensions of upper levels.

When the ML Triton's cargo bed at 1325mm long is a significant 175mm shorter than the earlier Triton and only 5mm deeper, it is one of the shortest and shallowest in its class.  A standard mountain bike won't fit lengthwise and you will struggle to fit items like coolers under a hard cover.

The rear clearance is outstanding as the fuel tank fills the space behind the rear seat but it also means the swept forward rear passenger section does not free up any extra load space. In other words, the cargo floor is no longer than the top. However, this leaves it usefully more compact than the Hilux with a reasonable turning circle.

The Triton GLX makes more sense for transporting a work crew than cargo.  For small kids, the swept-up rear doors can restrict vision.

Despite the Sports tag, the seats are hard and flat and there is no cushion tilt adjustment on the driver's seat. As you raise the seat, it tips you out which can be a problem as more couples share these vehicles. 

While the dash design is fresh, it's very hard and basic at GLX level with too much storage space wasted around the centre console. The loss of the upper level centre dash screen frees up a cubby hole with door. Vinyl floor mats, single CD player, basic steering wheel and no map lights are par for the course but the electric windows, electric mirrors and twin airbags are welcome.

The optional ABS is good value especially when the vehicle is unladen. On GLX rubber, it is essential.

Mitsubishi's proven 3.5-litre V6 engine was gruffer than in other applications, usually a sign that it is working harder. A margin behind the best in this segment, it is only just adequate for hauling 1860kg plus load even as a manual. At 100km/h, the five speed manual has it revving at 2500rpm.

Unladen, it delivered 12.5 litres/100km (the claimed combined figure is 12.9) over a gentle rural drive with some city work but force it to work and it will drink. Because of the roof racks and luggage platform, our extended highway fuel consumption figure was irrelevant for the standard vehicle. Suffice to say for frequent heavy loads, the diesel with its 118kW/3800 rpm and 347Nm/2000rpm should make more sense.

As a basic workhorse, the ML Triton GLX extends a lead over rivals in cabin space, agility, ride and handling but not load space or grip. It also makes the price premium for the GLX-R or GLS levels look cheap.

Also read CarPoint's Mitsubishi ML Triton 4x4 launch review