Mitsubishi Triton GLS 2020 Review

The Mitsubishi Triton received an MY20 update in October 2019, with extra features now standard on Mitsubishi Triton GLX+ trim grades and above.

For the Mitsubishi Triton GLS released in February 2020 and reviewed here, the dual-cab 4x4 ute also brings new equipment including an electronic locking rear differential, enhancing the mid-spec model's off-road appeal.

The diff lock adds to Mitsubishi's effective Super Select II 4WD system (with dual-range transfer case and centre-locking diff) and reasonably healthy off-road geometry (220mm of ground clearance and approach, departure and rampover angles of 31, 23 and 25 degrees respectively).

The Mitsubishi Triton GLS also features keyless entry and starting but loses its sport bar (which won't bother anyone wanting to fit a canopy).

The mechanics remain unchanged, with the Mitsubishi Triton continuing with its 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (133kW/430Nm), with drive fed to the rear or all four wheels via a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Of the 24 Mitsubishi Triton models available, including the recent additions of the Triton GSR and GLX-R trim grades, the Mitsubishi Triton GLS is only available as a 4x4 dual-cab in pick-up format.

This Mitsubishi Triton GLS has a 3.1-tonne braked towing limit, which falls short of the 3500kg benchmark in its class, and a 910kg maximum payload limit.

The 2020 Mitsubishi Triton GLS is priced at $47,890 plus on-road costs.

However, that doesn't tell the full story, because right now the Mitsubishi Triton GLS auto is listed on the Mitsubishi Motors Australia website for $46,290 drive-away.

That pricing undercuts the Mitsubishi Triton's two better-selling rivals – the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux – by thousands, and indeed it's that value that has been a major driver in propelling Triton to the third step of Australia's 4x4 ute sales podium.

For comparison, the Ford Ranger XLT is currently listed from $61,977 drive-away while the Toyota HiLux SR is $51,486 drive-away (both ex-Melbourne).

At the moment the Mitsubishi Triton also comes with a seven-year, 150,000km factory warranty – two years longer than Ford's and Toyota's – along with capped-price servicing for three years.

Service intervals are pegged at every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first, with the first three services each capped at $299.

The 2020 Mitsubishi Triton GLS might not come with class-leading towing or payload limits, but it will comfortably manage most jobs typically required by buyers in the dual-cab 4x4 ute segment.

What's more, with the addition of its rear diff lock, buyers heading bush now have an even more capable mid-spec Triton option.

The Mitsubishi Triton has long been a capable off-roader, its centre diff lock and Super Select II 4WD system standing it in good stead in the rough stuff, but a rear diff lock now provides a very handy 'Plan B' for the Triton GLS owners when the going gets particularly tough.

From a family transport perspective, dual-cab utes aren’t renowned for the comfort of their second-row seating and the Mitsubishi Triton is no exception.

Leg room in particular isn't abundant in the back, though it should prove adequate for kids up to, say, mid-teens.

This model's second row does at least benefit from rear venting (thanks to a roof-mounted air circulation unit), three head restraints, dedicated lighting, a fold-down centre armrest (with twin cup-holders), and two USB sockets on the rear of the centre console.

There are ISOFIX child seat/capsule mounting points for the two outboard seats, too.

Like almost all Mitsubishi Tritons since the MY19 facelift launched in February 2019, the GLS also comes with a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety systems, including forward collision mitigation (AEB) with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning, plus seven airbags, traction/stability control and a reversing camera.

In addition, GLS variants add, blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and auto high-beam. And while the GLS Premium adds a 360-degree camera, , but they miss out on top-tier features like dynamic lane keeping and adaptive cruise control.

With its attractive pricing, pragmatic list of features, and now its expanded off-road ability thanks to the inclusion of a rear diff lock, the Mitsubishi Triton GLS will appeal to budget-conscious buyers looking for maximum bang for their bucks.

To that end, the Mitsubishi Triton GLS ticks all the major boxes without making too many concessions, although some rivals have bigger towing and payload limits yet offer a more refined ride.

The cost savings are evident here and there – in things like our test-vehicle's cloth-upholstered front seating and basic manual adjustment, the fact it makes do without dedicated volume and power knobs for the stereo or integrated factory sat-nav, and the fairly rough cut-outs in the tub liner around the basic tie-down anchor points.

Still, it's far from Spartan, and you still get niceties like a 7.0-inch touch-screen with Apple CarPlay/Android auto and DAB radio, 18-inch alloys, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone air-con and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear shift and park brake.

And with its new rear diff lock, the Mitsubishi Triton GLS is now a great option for tradies who want a recreational off-roader come the weekend.

In our opinion, the 2020 Mitsubishi Triton GLS represents great value, especially at the current price of $46,290 drive-away.

Engine performance is entirely adequate, if lacking the outright grunt of the segment's heavy-hitters. This will really only be an issue for those who plan on towing a large caravan or boat.

We didn't tow or carry a load over the course of this review but we know from previous experience that a bit of weight takes some of the edge off the Triton's harsh ride.

In terms of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), our test vehicle was a little raucous under power and carried some vibration through the steering wheel at highway speeds, but we'd be surprised if some of this too isn’t suppressed with some weight on board.

That said, the Mitsubishi Triton GLS has a nicely modulated throttle, light and responsive steering and an excellent (for the class) 11.8-metre turning circle, making it a far more manageable proposition around town and when parking than most rivals.

And the Mitsubishi Triton has proven itself time and again as a very handy off-roader, thanks to its centre-locking diff, effective Super Select II 4WD system, and now – in this GLS trim grade – a rear diff lock, in addition to hill descent control.

Meanwhile the Mitsubishi Triton's relatively narrow width and tight turning circle allow it to thread its way through scrub where others might struggle (or at least cop a few more bush pin-stripes!).

It's also pretty frugal, our test vehicle achieving its ADR Combined-cycle fuel economy figure of 8.6L/100km over the course of this test (a mixture of city and highway driving, unladen).

If your budget rules out the top end of the dual-cab ute market, the 2020 Mitsubishi Triton GLS will happily manage most tasks asked of it by buyers in this segment.

In doing so it makes relatively few concessions, while coming in at thousands of dollars under its more popular competitors.

How much does the 2020 Mitsubishi Triton GLS 4x4 cost?
Price: $46,290 drive-away
Available: Now
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 133kW/430Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 225g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)