The Mitsubishi Triton gives you a good kick in the kidneys when you press the accelerator. It feels like it has more mid-range grunt than the Toyota Hilux we tested last week, and the Ford Ranger I’m driving now – a surprising amount that comes in a great surge starting at 2200rpm when the turbo kicks in. It’s like driving an early Saab Turbo – push the accelerator…wait a moment…hang on for your life.

This is due to the substantial 407Nm of torque that the 133kW 2.5-litre common rail turbo diesel produces, and it’s responsible for facilitating the Triton’s excellent 3000kg (braked) towing capacity. It will also take 1155kg in the tray while carrying 5 people with a decent amount of legroom. A five-speed manual is used to swap the cogs, and you’d imagine it’d be reasonably tough to handle that kind of weight and torque.

The load capacity is good and the convenient wide step at the back make it easy to drop things in the tray. There are load tie-down options that vary with the tray chosen, but usually 6 tie-down points in the wellside ute. Three black bars protect the rear window from moving loads.

This vehicle is the middle of the range for the Triton. Above it you’ve got the GLX and GLS Sport which give you sports suspension in the rear, an automatic gearbox option (though, it doesn’t feature a differential lock), and extra airbags. Below it you’re looking at single cab and club cab 4WD models, and the 2WD range (which also does have GLX and GLS models).

This vehicle is aimed squarely at those that don’t need to park it in the city and want a utilitarian workhorse with enough grunt to transport anything the workplace requires. It’s capable in the rough, though we couldn’t do a full on test with its city tyres. There are options for 2WD, 4WD and low range 4WD, with a manual diff lock in case you really get stuck. There’s no traction control, so be careful in the wet if it’s unladen as there’s only so much that leaf spring suspension can handle. The Triton also has a good approach angle – 32.7 degrees in the front is excellent (30 for Hilux and 28 for Ranger), but loses out in the ground clearance (205mm is OK, but Hilux has 227mm and Ranger has 232) and the departure angle (20.7 degrees compared to 27 in the Ford Ranger and 23 in the Hilux), which is undoubtedly worse if you have the optional towbar fitted, like we did on our test vehicle.

Wheels are 16-inch steel on this model and the tyres are 245/70. Higher models come with alloys. The Triton has reasonable brakes. It does dip a bit under braking – to be expected with the type of vehicle – but you get ABS and EBD which keep you heading in the right direction when braking hard.

Like most utes, it’s difficult to judge the rear corners when backing. There is an optional reversing camera or reversing sensors – the Ford Ranger has these as standard on most of its models, and in our opinion they should now be standard on every new vehicle sold in New Zealand.

Other technology includes Bluetooth integration for your phone, and a stereo that has USB input for your MP3 player. The speakers aren’t that flash, sounding a bit thin and harsh.

From the back and the front the Triton looks the part. It’s not as muscular as the Holden Colorado or the new Ford Ranger, but it’s brawny enough. The side profile needs some work, though, with its noticeably separate tray making it look like there’s an escape pod ready to jettison from the front.  The flared arches add more meat to the equation, and the whole ute looks smart with colour-coded front and rear bumpers.

Ultimately most people just buy the ute they like the most and all this talk of specs is really only a minor consideration. However, the Triton’s main strength is its power and towing capacity. For getting stuff from one place to another you’d be hard pressed to find something that would be much better in this style of vehicle or price range.

Our test car was fitted with the optional tow bar.

Why you’ll buy it:

• Excellent towing capacity
• More than enough power
• Will carry you and four burly accomplices easily

Pros:

• Towing ability
• Power
• Decent price for the specs

Cons:

• Feels cheap in places
• Needs more airbags – only has driver and passenger and that’s not really good enough in 2011.

Price: from $48490

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