First Drive: Mitsubishi MY10 MN Triton GLX-R And GL-R 

Review by Jay Williams - 06/October/2009

Mitsubishi's work horse just got better. The 2010 MN Triton offers a new, high powered turbo-diesel engine, improved safety, greater towing capacity and an extended tray.

It's also a lot of fun to drive.

Even though Mitsubishi has down sized its engine - down from 3.2-litres to 2.5-litres, the new unit on the four-wheel drive variants still delivers the highest output and performance in its segment.

The new 2.5-litre engine produces 131KW of power at 4,000rpm, with 400Nm of torque at 2000rpm - which is an 11 per cent power and 17 per cent torque increase over the 3.2 litre diesel engine seen in the previous ML Triton model range. 

Even with the extra power Mitsubishi has managed to keep fuel consumption down - with a combined fuel economy figure of 8.3-litres per 100 km. This is a 9 per cent improvement when coupled with a manual transmission.

(Automatic variants get similar power but a lower 350Nm of torque and achieve a combined fuel economy figure of 9.3-litres per 100 km.) 

With improved numbers means improved towing - maximum towing capacity of the 2010 Trition is 2700kg on dual-cab four-by-fours, and 3000kgs for cab-chassis models. Which makes the 2010 MN Triton a great option as a work-and-play utility - say if you ever wanted to tow a caravan or boat.

Other notable changes are the standard driver and front passenger SRS airbags, stability control and side and curtain airbags available on diesel dual-cab models.

It was only a few hours, but we took the new GL-R manual just out of Byron Bay for some highway and gravel road driving. And as for the new automatic GLX-R, it was put through some rough off-road driving.

The GL-R manual diesel was a breeze to drive, moving through the nicely weighted five-speed manual while driving through small town streets was effortless. You could happily cruise around in forth gear without any problems.

The clutch felt light and the gear ratios are nicely suited to the engines characteristics. 

Mitsubishi's MN Trition GL-R also preformed well on the gravel sections of road, proving just how versatile the new MN Trition can be. The GL-R 4×4 work-ute has real off-road capability, the double wishbone front suspension and leaf-spring rear with solid axle works and behaves well on tarmac - which is good if it's your daily drive.

Steering isn't heavy, if anythings its very car-like and well-rounded on the road. But when sinking your right foot in through turns or on loose gravel, it's then you’re reminded that the MN Tritions is a work-ute.

However, having said that, the MN Trition can be and is a fun vehicle to drive.

Even over some of the more challenging parts of road that we traveled along, the MN Trition remained comfortable.

For the off-road session we drove the GLX-R automatic, which features Mitsubishi’s ‘Super Select’ 4WD system, diff-lock and plenty of torque on tap.

The tracks were dry and rutted with deep steep climbs and descents, which made for some interesting driving - at one point the MN Trition GLX-R had one of its back wheels off the ground and on the steep climbs I spent most of my time looking at tree tops and sky.

Judging by this first drive, the MN Triton has the ability of a hard-working and a very capable 4×4, but with the added bounus of being comfortable.

One of the most noticable styling changes is the extended and raised tray - measuring in at 1505 mm in length and 1470 mm wide, which puts the new MN Triton in direct compition with the likes of Toyota's Hilux and Nissan's Nivara.

Mitsubishi's MN Trition range also has some new alloy wheels, body-matched colour fenders and new side-steps (on the GLX-R).

While the MN Triton GL-R has chrome grille, side steps and 16-inch alloys (the GLX-R gets 17-inch wheels).

(The GL-R also gets carpets, leather steering wheel and a nudge bar and is available in both 4×2 and 4×4 dual-cab variants.)

And across the MN Trition range the seat fabrics and bases are kept pretty simple. The door trims, even in the top of the range GLX-R, are plain grey and beige plastic - which are probalbly kept pretty basic for easy cleaning, but none the less, not to flash on the eye.

The front seats where very comfortable and had a good driving position, that allowed you great visiblity over the dash and bonnet.

The instrument cluster is nicely layed out and the floor console features a large stowage bin between the front seats and an integrated arm-rest.

Premium models feature Bluetooth, iPod, USB, RCA aux-in connections and sat nav.

The GLX-R also gets a multi-function steering wheel for audio and Bluetooth functions.

In all, only a few complaints with the styling and the quality of the materials used in the MN Tritons interior. But as far as a work-ute goes, it works.

Conclusion

If your looking for dual-cab 4×4 that has a great blance of on-road comfort and genuine off-road capability the new Mitsubishi MN Triton is a very nice package.

When it comes too overall versatility the Triton makes for some tough competition, especially now with its extended tray, better comfort and safety features. 

The new MN Trition range is powerful and tough enough for the work place - yet, stylish and comfortable enough to get you around town and still very versatile to suit weekends or holidays as well.

So Mitsubishi's catch phrase 'Love That Car' may not be that far off the mark.

Pricing

(Manufacturer’s retail price shown: on-road charges and dealer delivery additional.)

MN Triton 4×2 Price List
GL Cab-chassis                            $20,990
GLX Cab-chassis (2.5 CDi)          $25,990
GLX Dual-cab (2.4i petrol)          $28,390
GLX Dual-cab (2.5 CDi)                $32,490
GL-R Dual-cab (2.5 CDi)              $35,490

(Add $2000 for four-speed automatic. NA for GL Cab-chassis.)

MN Triton 4×4 Price List
GLX Cab-chassis (2.5 HP CDi)      $34,590
GLX Dual-cab (2.5 HP CDi)            $41,990
GL-R Dual-cab (2.5 HP CDi)          $44,990
GLX-R Dual-cab (2.5 HP CDi)        $47,990

(Add $2000 for four-speed auto for GLX and GL-R; add $2500 for five-speed auto for GLX-R.)