There is seemingly no end to the popularity of the double cab bakkie within South Africa, however, with a broader consumer base, bakkies have become more comfortable and feature-laden, driving up their price tags. We recently drove a double cab thats back-to-basic appeal and price tag were refreshing.
The current generation Triton has been available locally for seven years already, with periodic updates having been introduced regularly to the line-up. The most recent update has seen the Japanese brand introduce a new entry-level version of its double cab model, which is aimed at both the commercial and lifestyle market. We recently received the new entry-level double cab Triton to evaluate for a week recently.
Styling
While the GL-spec Triton is just about as basic as a double can bakkie gets, it has still retained a handsome exterior, with the unmistakable front-end retained from more expensive variants, chrome-plated door and tailgate handles and 16-inch alloy wheels. The sports bar, tonneau cover and rubberised load bin were optional extras on our press unit but certainly add to the visual appeal.
Interior and space
The GL is very basic inside, with cloth seats, electrically adjustable side mirrors, electric windows, climate control, a USB port and a multi-information display being the key interior features. There is an optional Sony infotainment system that boasts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which works reasonably well but certainly looks small compared with other units on the market.
From a practical perspective, rear occupant space is good for a product in this segment while driver and passenger space and comfort were reported as good by those who interacted with the product. There is a large rear loadbed, measuring 1.52-metres long, 1.47-metres wide and 475mm deep while the payload is over 1 000kg along and the braked towing capacity is rated at 1 400kg, which is some 2 100kg less than flagship double cabs.
Performance and driving impression
Powering the GL model is a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 100kW and 324NM of torque in this guise. The engine is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox that has a long throw but is relatively pleasant to operate. The power and torque are sufficient to haul the 1 750kg Triton along but don’t expect theatrics, this is basic bakkie fare.
The Triton has been one of the better bakkies in terms of ride and drive quality since its launch seven years ago, and the GL variant is no different, sporting a reasonable ride quality and refinement that is respectable for a bakkie. Over imperfect road surfaces, the usual bouncy ride quality seen on many unladen bakkies is present on the Triton too, but with a load on the rear, the ride settles down nicely.
The GL model is rear-wheel drive and features 209mm of ground clearance, making mild off-road activities possible, however, high-speed gravel driving is something that should be taken on with extreme caution considering the lack of stability and traction control.
Safety
In 2015, the Triton range was crash-tested by the ANCAP vehicle safety programme. It achieved a 5-Star rating, with a score of 36.22 from a possible 37 points, however, the only safety features present on the GL model are dual-front airbags, ABS and ISOFIX child seat anchor points.
Fuel consumption
Mitsubishi claims that the Triton will consume diesel at a rate of 8.0 L/100km, however, our week with the vehicle resulted in a figure of 7.3 L/100km, making it one of the most efficient double cab bakkies we have tested.
Pricing
The Triton, in GL guise, retails for R485 990, making it comparable with the likes of the GWM P-Series, Mahindra Pik Up and the sixth generation of the Isuzu D-Max. The model comes with a 5-year/90 000km service plan and a 3-year/100 000km warranty.
Verdict
Having spent around 800km with the most basic double cab Triton, we have realized how refreshing it can be to drive a basic bakkie that is as comfortable doing the daily grind as it is lugging things around as a light commercial vehicle. The solid build quality, good looks and reasonable price tag make the Triton GL a bakkie worthy of consideration in the crucial sub-R500 000 category.
Sean NurseWith a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.View News & Reviews
Keyword: Mitsubishi Triton 2.4L DI-DC GL 4x2 (2022) Review