The Triton is Mitsubishi's commercial ute answer to Ford and Toyota's Flagships, the Ranger XLT and HiLux SR5, respectively. It has similar specifications and configurations to these two, such as single and dual cab, and two and four-wheel drive, and a long list of additional features. This vehicle also serves as the base model for Mitsubishi's 2021 Pajero Sport, an excellent family car.
If you're wondering how the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS compares to these vehicles, then you're in the right place. Here, we review the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS to find out everything there is to know about this vehicle.
Overview
This dual cab ute has excellent fuel consumption, safety measures, all-around performance, and electronic features. It has a keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and a great infotainment system that supports ApplePlay and Android Auto.
For performance, the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS has a well-built chassis, engine, and transmission. The motor provides remarkable power and torque, resulting in low fuel consumption and high towing capacity while being mostly quiet.
Regarding the transmission, you can choose between automatic and manual, but both are great. Finally, the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS comes with the unique Super Select II and a helpful rear diff lock which lets it brave most road and weather conditions.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Numerous safety measures and equipment
- Great all-around performance
Cons
- The engine can be noisy while accelerating
- Dated interior design
- Somewhat cramped rear seats
What Are the Key Specifications of the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS?
Engine
The splendid performance of the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS is due to its 2.4-litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel engine. This 4N15 MIVEC DID intercooled engine is super reliable and provides an efficiency that almost contradicts its small displacement.
It delivers a peak torque of 430 Nm at 2500 rpm and can produce 133 kW of power at 3500 rpm. The 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS low-end grunt allows you to enjoy a superb performance and cargo capacity, including a 3100 kg braked towing capacity.
It's also very quiet thanks to the lightweight materials that were used during the design and build of the vehicle, but it can occasionally be noisy while accelerating. Overall, the engine of the Mitsubishi Triton provides an excellent combination of performance and efficiency in one package.
Transmission
The 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS can have either a manual or an automatic six-speed transmission. We chose a manual one because it tends to be more reliable. Its light clutch and short-throw gear lever provide precise and swift shifts that make long drives a breeze.
On the other hand, the automatic transmission isn't bad at all. From what we can see, it has optimised top gear ratios, resulting in a quiet engine with splendid fuel economy at high speeds.
The automatic 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS also has a Manual Shift setting that offers a manual-like control. This mode lets you switch speeds with the flick of a lever.
Drivetrain
The Mitsubishi Triton offers surefooted performance thanks to its Super Select II 4WD. This system lets the driver change between 4WD and 2WD at speeds up to 100 km/h, making it possible to adapt to changing weather and road conditions on the fly.
It has four settings and a rear diff lock that can handle almost everything, from smooth urban roads to extreme, hazardous terrains that offer no grip. You can easily control the Super Select II system of the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS by the flick of a switch. Here are the different modes you can access with this system:
2WD High Range (2H)
2H only drives the rear wheels, improving the fuel consumption of the car in normal driving conditions.
Full-Time 4WD (4H)
4H sends power to all wheels. It's ideal when encountering rough roads or any hazardous condition.
High Range, Locked Centre Diff 4WD (4HLC)
4HLC can reduce the Triton's wheelspin in uneven terrain that provides low grip.
Low Range, Locked Centre Diff 4WD (4LCC)
The 4LLC fully harnesses the power and torque of the Mitsubishi Triton and delivers maximum traction on significantly rough surfaces. These include steep climbs, deep snow, and sand.
Braked Towing Capacity
The Mitsubishi Triton towing capacity is 3,100 kg for most dual-cab models. It also has a gross combined mass of 5,885 tonnes. As the car has low kerb weight, it possesses an excellent balance of towing capacity and payload.
What Are the Highlights of Its Design?
Even if you don't get optional accessories for the Mitsubishi Triton, it still comes with a rich menu of features and equipment.
Exterior
All Mitsubishi Triton dual cab models have a significantly sporty styling, with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, chrome door handles and mirrors, and several Mitsubishi Motors Intuitive Technology (MiTEC) safety measures.
Its rigid ladder chassis ensures solid steering and stability whether you drive on off-road tracks or the highway, as it provides the vehicle with enough ground clearance. Meanwhile, the double wishbones with a stabilizer bar and coil springs offer plenty of responsiveness in the front of the car.
The leaf spring above the axle also improves the traction and load capacity of the Mitsubishi Triton. Furthermore, every model's load tub measures 475 mm in depth, 1520 mm in length, and 1470 in width and is incredibly durable.
The tailgate's single handle enables one-handed use, and the integrated cargo hook allows you to secure loads with ease. It doesn't matter whether the car holds a vast load, as the vehicle's impressive power and torque can push through. Additionally, the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS has side steps and a rear step bumper.
Interior
The 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS can comfortably carry five adults. It has a splendidly detailed interior with premium cloth trim seats. Furthermore, it has a leather-bound gearshift, handbrake, and steering wheel.
Some other features that might have been a welcome sight were the leather front seats and the driver's seat power adjustment option. Unfortunately, we skipped those when we picked the manual transmission option.
The rear-seat passengers in this car don't have much legroom, but they can enjoy a reclined backrest angle that provides enough head and shoulder support.
The Mitsubishi Triton cabin storage includes a large bottle holder and a storage bin in each front seat door. It also has a single glovebox and a glasses holder. The centre console provides a small cubbyhole, two cup holders, and a lidded box at the back that can also serve as an elbow rest.
Rear seat passengers of the Mitsubishi Triton don't get storage bins, but they can use the typical front seat pouches and the small cubby in the centre console. Finally, there's a pull-down armrest that has two more cup holders.
Unfortunately, the car had a fixed rear seat cushion, meaning that it has no storage space beneath it. After all, most of its commercial ute possess this capacity. As the interior of the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS can feel tight at times, it would've benefitted from it.
What Tech Features Does the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS Have?
The Mitsubishi Triton comes with many features, so it would be hard to mention them all. Nevertheless, some of them stand out, such as the keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, several 12-volt and USB ports, a quality infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
How Much Fuel Does the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS Consume?
Mitsubishi claims that this car consumes a combined average of 8.6 L per 100 km. However, after driving around 800 km with the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS, the average fuel consumption that we had varied between 8.9 L and 11.7 L per 100 km. Still, part of that distance was with the car almost fully loaded.
We calculated these figures from the readings on fuel bowsers and the trip meter of the Mitsubishi Triton. Regardless, any dual cab ute that returns a single-digit fuel consumption is pretty astounding.
In fact, it wouldn't be surprising to see the two-tonne Mitsubishi Triton having 700-800 km drives with its 75-litre fuel tank.
How Much Does the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS Cost?
The vehicle we evaluated has two different engine types available, each with its price tag. The drive-away price of the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS with manual transmission is $46,040.
Meanwhile, the six-speed auto transmission is slightly more expensive at $48,290. However, it comes with extra features such as heated front seats, power adjustment of the driver's seat, leather upholstery, and a multi-around monitor.
Both types are somewhat more expensive than the most accessible variant, the Mitsubishi Triton GLX and GLX+, but it comes with more features. On the other hand, Triton's best model, the GSR with Roll Top Tonneau Pack, is significantly more expensive at $57,420.
Take note that these prices don't include on-road costs. These often vary depending on the state, dealership, and insurance.
What Is the Safety Equipment of the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS?
MiTEC combines many innovative technologies into one fully integrated system that continuously works to keep you safe, entertained, and comfortable while driving the Mitsubishi Triton.
It has passive and active components that work together, guiding, alerting, and reacting to help maintain every passenger safe. Some of its most valuable features are:
- Blind Spot Warning and Lane Change Assist
- Lane Departure Warning
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Forward Collision Mitigation
- Hill Start Assist and Descent Control
- Cruise Control
- Automated Rain Sensing Wipers
- Automated Dusk Sensing Headlamps
- Reversing Camera and Sensors for Parking
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBS)
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
The latter two might be the most crucial safety elements in most new cars nowadays, including the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS. An ABS allows drivers to maintain control of their vehicles and maneuver effectively around obstructions whenever there's heavy braking involved.
The EBS works alongside the ABS to evaluate load and distribute braking force among the wheels. Should you have more cargo in the rear, it can help you stop quicker than usual.
The Mitsubishi Triton is also an economical highway cruiser. You can reduce fuel consumption even more by overdriving the sixth gear with approximately 1650 rpm at 100 km per hour.
At this speed, there's low noise from the tyres, engine, and wind, so you can hold conversations without raising your voice.
The speed-sensitive steering wheel feels responsive and appropriately hefty. It's light when you're parking and gets more firm as speed increases. Overall, the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS is a significantly pleasant vehicle to drive each day.
Is the Mitsubishi Triton a Good Ute for a Tradie?
The 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS has a lower maximum payload than other models. It's mainly because the kerb weight continually increases as the manufacturer adds more features to the vehicle. Nonetheless, this didn't stop us from testing it.
After forklifting a package of 500 kg into the load tub of the Mitsubishi Triton, we noticed that the vehicle's front only rose about 10 mm compared to the rear springs, which compressed approximately 40 mm.
Of course, if you combine the weight of our crew with the package and other accessories, it only added up to around 720 kg, which is underneath the 900 kg payload limit of the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS.
Fortunately, it maintained an almost level height with enough suspension bump-stop clearance. We could feel a minimum pendulum effect on some tight curves. Still, the overall handling of the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS was excellent, with no steering or braking response decline.
How Does the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS Compare to Other Dual Cab Utes?
Nowadays, there's plenty of variety in the 4WD ute segment, but some vehicles comprise a significant part of the new car market, and that's only counting the 4WD utes. If you tally the less popular 2WD models, the portion becomes almost one in six new vehicles in Australia. How do these vehicles compare to the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS?
Ford Ranger XLT
The Ranger is the most popular ute in Australia and also the most expensive in its base model. However, it's also the best performing compared to the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS and the rest, except for braking.
Isuzu D Max
It has great driving dynamics and an excellent safety kit that's as good as the Mitsubishi Triton. However, it doesn't have suitable low-range performance.
Toyota HiLux SR5
The Toyota HiLux has a significantly strong engine and performs better off-road than the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS, but it lacks features and equipment.
Nissan Navara
It has a smooth, quiet engine and improved suspension but still struggles with loads, so it isn't a suitable tradie ute compared to the other ones and the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS.
Depending on what you prioritize, you could place the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS around the middle of the pack, but each vehicle has its ups and downs. The only exception is the Ranger XLT, which mostly has ups and one glaring downside.
Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS Worth It?
The 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS is an amazing 4WD dual cab ute that offers exceptional value for money, as you can get it for under $50,000. If you compare its pricing, features, performance, and reliability to its rivals, it becomes easy to see why the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS remains one of Australia's top three 4WD utes.
Anyone looking to get a ute can get the 2021 Mitsubishi Triton GLS and rely on it for the coming years. After all, Mitsubishi offers a 10- year capped price servicing plan and warranty for its vehicles.
If you're looking for a used Mitsubishi Triton in Perth, The sales team at Westside auto wholesale are ready to help. We can get you ready for work or place with access to some great near new Mitsubishi Tritons. If you have a question or would like to know more please contact our sales team today.
