Mitsubishi Triton 2015 Tow Test Review

It's a great time to buy a ute.

More appealing than ever to private buyers, the latest batch of family-friendly, dual-cab utes from the likes of Nissan, Isuzu, Mazda, Ford and Volkswagen deliver the sort of comfort, refinement, performance, technology and safety ute buyers could only dream about a few years ago.

Now there's Mitsubishi's fifth-generation, MQ-series Triton, introduced in April with a raft of upgrades over the ageing MN-series model. Gone is the controversial swoopy styling of its predecessor, replaced by a more conservative and contemporary design with unmistakable triple-diamond chrome grille up front.

Also history is the old noisy, four-cylinder engine, making way for a smoother, more refined 2.4-litre turbo-diesel. Cabin comfort, materials and conveniences are also improved, as is overall safety backed up by a five-star ANCAP rating.

Following the trend for dual cab utes, towing capability has been increased; but only by 100kg to 3100kg. Mitsubishi avoided the trap of rivals including Holden Colorado, Mazda BT-50, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-MAX by offering a maximum 3500kg tow rating.

The upside of a slightly lower 3100kg rating is that it still allows the Triton to be loaded up with a significant amount of gear, people and accessories without going over weight – an important consideration for anyone considering a long-distance tour to a remote region, as we did with the top-spec Triton Exceed 4WD dual-cab ute tested here.

With four people on board, about 100kg of stuff in the tray, and a big 23ft Aussie-built off-road caravan on the towball, we clocked more than 3500km travelling from Melbourne to South Australia's Flinders Ranges, returning via Broken Hill in NSW.

The Triton has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 2900kg and Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 5885kg, so deducting the 3000kg van, 1965kg ute, and another 350kg for fuel, occupants and gear, leaves around 570kg that could be used to carry more supplies or have accessories like a bullbar, snorkel or additional spare tyre fitted, while keeping within the Exceed's maximum payload of 935kg.

However, it's debatable whether we would have wanted to travel with much more weight anyway, as the Triton felt right on the limit with a 5300kg GCM.

Not that it looked out-gunned at standstill, with the van's ball weight of 200kg well under the Triton's 310kg maximum. Combined with some weight in the rear tray, the leaf spring rear suspension levelled out nicely, although ideally the Triton's tow ball would have been set higher to prevent the 'nose down' appearance of the van.

Riding quite tall and with a decent amount of fixed weight behind the rear axles, the caravan wasn't as stable as it could have been on open roads, transferring movement through the ball to the Triton, especially in cross winds.

The 'tail wagging the dog' sensation wasn't helped by the fact the van weighed around 1000kg more than the Triton. Another potential contributing factor and an issue with all utes is the position of the Triton's tub behind the rear axle, increasing the distance between the ute's rear wheels and tow ball which can affect stability.

However, it did provide the chance to experience the Triton's new electronic trailer stability assist feature in action. While travelling around 90km/h on the freeway the system detected and then promptly corrected some excessive sway by momentarily applying the Triton's rear brakes and locking up the rear wheels.

Following that experience, we kept our maximum speed to 85km/h throughout the trip, which would also have helped with fuel consumption, although it was still around 3.0L/100km higher than a similar test with an Isuzu D-MAX.

At best, it was just under 17L/100km in flat, calm highway conditions, rising to more than 21L over undulating, dirt roads. Overall the average was 18.6L/100km, or close to double the 9.4L achieved driving 'solo'.

The extra thirst meant we were filling up the 75-litre tank every 380-400km, adding to 'range anxiety' in the Outback where fuel stations are few and far between.

However, it's hard to complain about the quietness and overall refinement of the 2.4-litre engine, in combination with the five-speed auto. The common rail engine delivered relatively smooth, steady if somewhat leisurely progress in all conditions with little evidence of peakiness or excessive roughness.

Delivering a maximum of 133kW at 3500rpm and 430Nm at a relatively high 2500rpm, it spent most of its time between 2000-2500rpm in fourth or fifth gear while cruising (compared to a lazier 1800rpm in fifth gear without the van).

Engine noise was well suppressed, partly thanks to the transmission's ability to hold onto higher gears and keep revs below 2500rpm. Our only concern was having little in reserve for accelerating or over-taking in an emergency situation, but thankfully it was never an issue.

Otherwise, the Triton proved a surprisingly relaxed and comfortable touring vehicle. As one of few utes to offer reach as well as height adjustment of the steering wheel, along with six-way electric adjustment of the leather lined and very comfortable driver's seat and a left foot rest, all-day stints behind the wheel were never a concern.

Also impressive was the Triton's above-average ride quality for a leaf sprung ute, whether unladen or towing and on both smooth tarmac and bouncy dirt tracks. Like most utes the ride improved with a decent weight out back, and it only ever got unruly during some stomach-churning pitching over creek bed crossings.

The practical cabin offered decent storage areas including deep side door pockets for holding extra-large drink containers, and two 12-volt and one USB socket accessible from the front seats kept gadgets charged en-route.

We also liked the Exceed's bigger 7.0-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, and decent sound from the up-spec stereo, although the fiddly menu navigation could be improved. The highlight was the excellent rear view camera, which made reversing and backing up to the caravan hitch so much easier and safer.

Also handy were the Exceed-only steering wheel paddles for engine braking on steep descents, push-button start and the automatic folding chrome mirrors which meant we didn't have to worry about someone pinching our strap-on towing mirrors when parked.

There were few complaints from our primary school sized rear passengers either, with plenty of room on the shapely outboard seats with angled backrests that folded down for easy access to tyre changing equipment.

However, for a $50,000 vehicle it would be nice to see steering wheel controls for the trip computer (as fitted to the top-spec Navara) rather than a single, push button stalk on the instrument panel. Also absent were vents and 12-volt sockets in the back, and for some strange reason there was just one map pocket rather than two behind the front seats.

Slightly deeper than before, the Triton's tub had four tie-down hooks, a lockable tailgate, and optional soft tonneau cover and tub liner, but missing was the Navara's 12-volt socket and rear opening window.

However, the Triton's Super Select II electronic part-time 4WD remains one of the best in the business, with a new, more user-friendly console-mounted dial for operating the various modes. Unlike other utes with dual range transfer cases, Triton's 4WD high range is suitable for tarmac as well as dirt, which is bonus on ever-changing Outback terrain, while the rear diff lock provides useful back-up when heading off-road.

Other ticks were the Triton's class-leading 11.8m turning circle, which made U-turns on narrow roads easier with an 8m long caravan in tow, and the strong spread of low beam light from the Exceed's HID headlights.

But while up to the job, it's hard to recommend the Triton for three-tonne towing, due to insufficient torque and bulk. A better match would be something closer to the Triton's two-tonne kerb weight, providing an even better payload and safety margin.

That said, the top-spec Triton like its predecessor remains a relative bargain. Even with options including metallic paint, tow bar, soft tonneau cover and tub liner, the 'as tested' price falls short of $50,000 (plus on-road costs), making it one of the best value, 'full-fruit' dual cab utes on the market.

2015 Mitsubishi Triton Exceed double cab pick-up pricing and specifications:
Price: $47,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 133kW/430Nm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 201g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP)