A new limited-edition – the Mitsubishi Triton Sport – has arrived in showrooms as the current model approaches the end of the line to make way for the next generation due later this year.
2023 Mitsubishi Triton Sport
The current-generation Mitsubishi Triton ute is approaching the end of the line after almost two decades – and that means it is special edition time.
While the Mitsubishi Triton in showrooms received a major facelift in 2018 – after a refreshed model was introduced in 2015 – the architecture of today’s model dates back to the previous shape launched in 2005.
It means the Mitsubishi Triton will be close to 20 years old when the next generation – new from the ground up – arrives later this year or early next year.
Which means it’s time for Mitsubishi to check the parts catalogue and find ways to add appeal to its popular – but ageing – pick-up.
In the same way the Holden Commodore had the Vacationer, the Mitsubishi Triton now has the Sport edition. Despite the name, there’s no extra power for the 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, and no tuning upgrades for the tyres or suspension.
It’s understood this special edition was originally intended to form the basis of a Walkinshaw-enhanced version of the Mitsubishi Triton, but that project was cancelled at the eleventh hour after Mitsubishi ran out of road – and time – in the lead-up to the new model.
Rather than a complete makeover, the changes to the Mitsubishi Triton Sport – based on the mid-range GLS rather than the flagship GSR – include large stripes on the bonnet and tailgate (but not the roof), black wheels, and maroon highlights on the side steps and rear bumper.
Inside, the Mitsubishi Triton Sport is equipped with heated leather seats with electric adjustment for the driver, shift paddles behind the steering wheel, dual zone air-conditioning, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and a sensor key with push-button start.
The test vehicle in the photos was equipped with a hard tonneau cover and a tow bar, both of which are extra-cost options.
About 900 examples of the Mitsubishi Triton Sport are due in Australian showrooms over the coming months; the first 400 have already arrived.
We got behind the wheel to get reacquainted with the Mitsubishi Triton before this generation bows out, and to see how it stacks up against newer ute competition.
How much does the Mitsubishi Triton cost in Australia?
When this review was published, the Mitsubishi Triton had national drive-away pricing across all model grades – except this one. That means it’s up to your negotiating skills to try to get a decent deal on a Mitsubishi Triton Sport, so be sure to twist an arm.
The Mitsubishi Triton GLS – on which the Sport is based – was available from $55,490 drive-away nationally as this review was published.
But Mitsubishi lists the Triton Sport at $56,440 plus on-road costs – or $4500 more than the RRP for the GLS. That pushes the drive-away price to close to or in excess of $60,000, which is a power of money for stripes and trim changes.
As reported here, the Mitsubishi Triton Sport is based on the mid-grade GLS (a step up from the GLX+ and a step down from the flagship GSR). Only two body colours are available: metallic black or metallic white.
In addition to the Mitsubishi Triton GLS Deluxe package, the Sport edition gains an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, leather seats with red stitching, heated front seats, leather door inserts, and a 360-degree surround-view camera.
The Mitsubishi Triton has for years been the value champion in the ute class, but this special edition is expensive no matter how you add it up.
Also consider a top-of-the-range GWM Ute, LDV T60 or Ssangyong Musso – all of which are about $15,000 cheaper than the Mitsubishi Triton Sport – or a base-model Isuzu D-Max LS-M double-cab 4×4 (but with a longer list of advanced safety tech, more power and torque, and a higher tow rating).
| Key details | 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Sport |
| Price | $56,440 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | White Diamond |
| Rivals | Isuzu D-Max | GWM Ute | LDV T60 |
How much space does the Mitsubishi Triton have inside?
The Mitsubishi Triton has a smaller cabin than most peers – in part due to its smaller wheelbase, the distance between the front and rear wheels, which delivers a tighter turning circle than other utes.
The cabin’s shoulder room is narrower and rear knee room is tighter (though there is some foot room under the front seats for back-seat passengers).
There is height- and reach-adjustable steering, though the driving position still feels a little cramped compared to newer, roomier rivals. The driver’s seat on this model has electric adjustment.
The substitute for rear air-conditioning vents (on mid-grade and high-grade Tritons only) is a roof-mounted air ‘circulator’, which redirects air from the front of the cabin to back seat passengers. It’s a makeshift solution at best.
All buttons and dials are well placed and easy to use, there just isn’t enough of them.
There’s no volume or tuning dial on the infotainment system, and the instrument cluster lacks a digital speed display, speed-sign recognition and tyre pressure monitors. And there are not enough charging ports for handheld devices.
| 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Sport | |
| Seats | Five |
| Length | 5305mm |
| Width | 1815mm |
| Height | 1795mm |
| Wheelbase | 3000mm |
Does the Mitsubishi Triton have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are accessed via the 7.0-inch touchscreen. AM/FM and digital radio are standard, as is wireless Bluetooth connectivity.
However, there is no wireless smartphone charging and no embedded navigation. You need to use maps from your smartphone – and you need to be in mobile phone range – to find your way if you get lost.
Oddly, whether connected via Apple CarPlay or Bluetooth, the voice on the other end of the phone call comes from the front passenger speaker rather than the driver’s side speaker.
Audio quality for phone calls or music is average by class standards.
Is the Mitsubishi Triton a safe car?
The Mitsubishi Triton earned a five-star safety rating when this generation was tested in 2015.
However, although the level of safety equipment has not changed since the most recent update, the Mitsubishi Triton lost its five-star rating at the end of last year because it passed its expiry date.
That means the current-generation Mitsubishi Triton is now off limits for government and business fleets with a five-star safety mandate.
Six-year expiry dates were introduced so car buyers could compare like-for-like crash-test results.
Before the six-year expiry for safety scores was introduced, some manufacturers promoted five-star scores that were up to a decade old and tested against less stringent criteria.
If today’s Mitsubishi Triton were to be retested to the latest criteria, it would be unlikely to achieve a five-star safety score.
The new Mitsubishi Triton due later this year or early next year is expected to be upgraded to meet the more stringent safety criteria.
| 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Sport | |
| ANCAP rating | Unrated |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report (expired assessment) |
What safety technology does the Mitsubishi Triton have?
Standard safety technology in the Mitsubishi Triton Sport includes seven airbags (including one for the driver’s knee), lane-wander warning (but not lane-keeping assistance), autonomous emergency braking, blind-zone warning, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera, and front and rear parking sensors.
Conspicuous by their absence (and available on rival utes) are radar cruise control, a digital speed display, speed-sign recognition, tyre pressure monitors, and a centre airbag between the front seats.
How much does the Mitsubishi Triton cost to maintain?
Mitsubishi advertises one of the longest new car warranties in Australia, with up to 10 years or 200,000km warranty coverage. The warranty is conditional, however, with the requirement that all scheduled servicing be completed on time and through an authorised Mitsubishi dealership. In the case of conditions not being met, even once, the warranty drops back to five years/100,000km.
Capped-price servicing is available, with scheduled servicing required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Mitsubishi maps out pricing for the first 10 service visits.
Routine maintenance over three years or 45,000km (whichever comes first) will cost $1547, while five years or 75,000km costs $2895. Hang on to your Triton for 10 years and you’ll be looking at $6740. These prices are higher than for rivals such as the Ford Ranger and, during the capped-price servicing period at least, the Toyota HiLux.
A comprehensive insurance quote for the Triton Sport was not available at the time of writing, but the premium for a similarly equipped Triton GLS starts from $1412 per annum based on a comparative quote from one of Australia’s leading insurers – based on a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates vary based on your location and driving history.
| At a glance | 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Sport |
| Warranty | Five years, 100,000km (10 years/200,000km if serviced exclusively within the Mitsubishi dealer network) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1547 (3 years) $2895 (5 years) |
Is the Mitsubishi Triton fuel-efficient?
The fuel rating label average on the Mitsubishi Triton Sport shows 8.6L/100km.
That figure might seem a touch high, and that’s because Mitsubishi Australia is in the middle of a protracted legal battle with a customer who claims he could not achieve the fuel economy rating label average.
Mitsubishi argued the fitment of more cumbersome non-standard tyres, additional heavy-duty accessories – as well as particularly demanding driving conditions – were the reasons the customer could not match the rating label claim.
Nevertheless, Mitsubishi has since revised its official fuel consumption averages – displayed on the rating label on the windscreen – with less optimistic figures.
When this generation Mitsubishi Triton went on sale in 2015, the fuel rating label average showed a figure of 7.6L/100km. Now it shows a figure of 8.6L/100km.
During our 150km loop – a mix of city, suburban, inter-urban and freeway driving – we saw a fuel consumption average between 7.8 and 8.0L/100km, which is par for the class.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Usage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 8.6L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 7.8–8.0L/100km |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Fuel tank size | 75L |
What is the 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Sport like to drive?
We’ve long had a soft spot for the Mitsubishi Triton – especially as a value proposition – but now it really is starting to show its age. And some of the Mitsubishi Triton’s shine has worn off since prices have risen.
So an expensive special edition at the end of the model cycle could be a tall order.
The 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel (133kW/430Nm) is gruff and unrefined – even by diesel double-cab ute standards – and the suspension feels lumpy over bumps and the steering is heavy in corners.
Other utes – whether they are workhorses or show-ponies – feel better tied down and easier to live with in the daily grind.
Plus sides? The Mitsubishi Triton Sport, GLS and GSR come with the larger 320mm front disc brakes whereas the lesser Triton model grades are equipped with 294mm front discs. (All come with 295mm rear drum brakes).
And the tight turning circle of 11.8m (versus 12.5m to 13.0m among rivals) is a competitive advantage other utes can’t match.
The seating position is relatively comfortable and most mod-cons are covered, although volume and tuning dials would be welcome additions to the infotainment system.
The Triton’s smaller body, wide-view side mirrors and 360-degree camera view make it easy to see around the vehicle, especially when reversing a trailer or fitting into a tight parking spot.
The bi-LED headlights (low and high beam) deserve a shout-out for their effectiveness on dark country roads (these lights are standard on the Sport, GLS and GSR).
In our testing, real-world fuel economy was fairer than the fuel rating label suggests, but acceleration was average (0 to 100km/h in about 11 seconds, a touch slower than similarly powered diesel double-cab utes).
It’s also worth pointing out the Mitsubishi Triton Sport’s maximum towing capacity is lower than rivals: 3100kg versus 3500kg.
| Key details | 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Sport |
| Engine | 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel |
| Power | 133kW @ 3500rpm |
| Torque | 430Nm @ 2500rpm |
| Drive type | Part-time 4×4, low-range transfer case |
| Transmission | Six-speed torque converter automatic |
| Power to weight ratio | 67kW/t |
| Vehicle weight (kerb) | 1991kg |
| Gross Vehicle Mass | 2900kg |
| Payload | 909kg |
| Approach angle | 31 degrees |
| Departure angle | 23 degrees |
| Rampover angle | 25 degrees |
| Ground clearance | 220mm |
| Spare tyre type | Full-size |
| Tow rating | 3100kg braked 750kg unbraked 310kg downball weight |
| Turning circle | 11.8m |
Should I buy a 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Sport?
The Mitsubishi Triton is a compelling proposition when it is priced sharply, but that’s no longer the case.
Recent price rises – perhaps to prepare the market for higher RRPs when the new model arrives, as well as due to rising production costs – have taken some of the shine off the Triton’s appeal.
For the past half a decade, the Mitsubishi Triton’s consistent and competitive drive-away deals have helped keep the emerging Chinese ute brands at bay.
But Mitsubishi is now trying to reposition the Triton higher up the price range – to flee the onslaught of cheaper Chinese utes and attempt to rub shoulders with the Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
However, these ute rivals are newer, more accomplished, or both – leaving the Mitsubishi Triton somewhere between the bargain basement and the penthouse suite.
Weighing against the limited-edition Mitsubishi Triton Sport is the absence of a national drive-away pricing offer, and the lack of technology deemed basic by class standards (such as radar cruise control, a digital speed display, speed-sign recognition, and tyre pressure monitors).
It’s also agricultural to drive, even for a ute.
The Mitsubishi Triton makes more sense in the lower model grades, but for this money you could get a well-equipped Isuzu D-Max – or you could roll the dice on a Chinese ute and pocket $15,000 in change.
If you have your heart set on a Mitsubishi Triton, consider the GLS at $55,490 drive-away with most – though not all – of the Sport’s features, and you’re still at least $5000 in front.
The post 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Sport review appeared first on Drive.
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