Best Bakkie 2022 Finalist: Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D DC 4×4 auto
Road test results are a bakkie moot point, no? Who cares about how quick a load lugger is? Not quite. See, as we are getting our heads around it, bakkie performance is proving just as critical as it is in that M and AMG neck of the woods. And just as important as off-road and load ability and how heavy a trailer it can legally pull.
The most underrated bakkie on the market
That’s part of the reason why the Mitsubishi Triton is the most underrated bakkie on the market. First off, it’s still the quickest 4-cylinder turbodiesel double-cab bakkie we have ever tested. And yes, that includes the new 150 kW Hilux, the hot biturbo Ranger. And the rest. Never mind, it’s the least expensive of the lot. Yet it’s sharp and sophisticated, and wants for nothing. It really is as good as the best. And better than most rivals.
Triton’s quiet and smooth-shifting Intelligent Shift Control 6-speed auto actually made this 4×4 quicker than the old 4×2. Mechanical drag and all. That extra cog over the old 5-speed is clearly doing its job. It may not be quite as trick as a ten-speed auto, but this six speed is clearly good enough. And then some. It turns Super Select II 4×4 with a rear diff lock and electronic off-road assistance including hill descent control and five driving modes.
The vital statistics are mostly good too. A 5.9 m turning circle, 220 mm ground clearance, 28º Approach, 25º ramp over and 23º Departure angles. The last one is perhaps Triton’s only real nemesis. Some say its rear axle is too far forward. And that hinders towing due to larger leverage between the tow ball and rear axle. Triton does, however, have improved rear dampers, which are supposed to overcome such concerns.
Excellent on tarred surfaces
Triton is also very good on tarred surfaces. It has car-like performance and excellent ride and comfort. Never mind that at 3.1 tons, Triton is now also right in the bakkie towing ballpark. We also found Mitsubishi’s frugal 7.6 l/100km fuel consumption claim to be quite representative. Certainly very good for a one-ton bakkie of any description, and in this company too.
The cabin is good — Triton’s modern and robust high-quality soft touch material rich interior space is packed with all the latest tech. From a comfy leather-clad tilt and telescopic multifunction steering backed by colourful voice controlled touch-screen infotainment, Bluetooth Radio/CD and an MP3 player.
So, is there anything wrong with the Mitsubishi Triton? To be honest, no. But service and backup may be a concern versus the big players. Best of all is this flagship comes in at R654K, where most of its rivals will set you back something considerably more. Some in fact well north of eight hundred grand. Yet that has not proven enough to see Triton scale the bakkie sales charts. That’s not an easy task. Especially with some blockbuster-selling pickups out there.
Triton is King of Our Test Strip
So, rest assured, this Triton is well equipped for this bakkie game. And then some. Not only is it still the Bakkie King of Our Test Strip. But it also costs considerably less than anything that dare call itself a rival. Both of which aspects we consider crucial Best Bakkie strengths…
BEST BAKKIE ’22 FINALIST: Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D DC 4x4 auto Engine: 133kW 430Nm 2398c turbo diesel I4 Drive: 6-speed automatic 4x4 Payload: 898 kg Braked Trailer: 3100 kg TESTED: 0-100km/h: 9.47 sec 400m: 16.6 sec @ 132 km/h 80-120km/h: 6.87 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 179 km/h Fuel: 8.3 l/100km CO2: 218 g/km Warranty/Service: 3y 100K/5y 90K km LIST PRICE: R654K
Best Bakkie 2022 Index Introduction Ford Ranger 2.0bT DC 4x4 Stormtrak GWM P Series 2.0TD DC LT 4x4 Mahindra Pik Up 2.2 CRDe DC 4x4 Mazda BT-50 1.9TD DC Active A Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D DC 4x4 Nissan Navara 2.5 DDTi DC PRO-2X Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4x4 Legend RS A Best Bakkie Top 3 Best Bakkie 2022 Winner