Not everyone needs the 4WD capacity of a ute, so enter the 2WD models which are cheaper but still retain some of the rugged abilities of their big brothers (along with similar load hauling capacities.)

Capable of carrying 1000kg in the tray, the 2WD GLS is only 25kg shy of the 4WD GLS – not much penalty there – and you can still tow 3000kg as long as the trailer is braked.

The GLS has a five-speed automatic gearbox, unlike the 4WD manual GL Triton we tested recently. This is much smoother and more tractable; much better on the road and more convenient, too. Despite the 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine still producing 133kW you don’t get the initial push of acceleration like you do in the manual (perhaps due to the 51Nm less torque), but getting away from the lights quickly isn’t the first thing on a ute driver’s mind, particularly as it will upset whatever load is in the back.

On the inside, the GLS comes with some premium features over the GL and GLX models, including passenger vanity mirror, map lamp, centre multi-display meter, sunglasses pocket, two extra speakers (bringing the total to six), climate control, cruise control and Bluetooth phone integration with steering wheel controls.  The seats are slightly more contoured and there’s also an electric rear window which is useful for slightly longer loads (as long as they’re not a danger to the cabin occupants), and to get more airflow through. The rear window and rear passenger windows are tinted.

Passengers and the driver are well catered to in an accident with six airbags ready to deploy. That’s if the electronics don’t save you first, though. The Triton comes with electronic brakeforce distribution, active stability control, anti-lock brakes and a 4-star ANCAP crash test rating. EBD reduces stopping distances, while ASC modulates each wheel’s brake individually if it detects understeer or oversteer, making the Triton extremely difficult to spin.

On the outside, the GLS’s differences include more chrome trim – wing mirrors, radiator grille, rear step bumper – front fog lamps, and colour-keyed bumpers. The GLS sits on smart-but-functional 16-inch wheels wrapped in 245/70 profile tyres. These are grippy enough in the dry, and when it’s wet the traction control takes care of the inevitable lively rear end when unloaded. The overall length is 100mm longer than the lesser models and, at 5385mm, this is going to challenge some garages. It certainly makes it tricky in tighter car parks, so you may want to plump for the optional parking sensors. Reversing sensors should be standard these days; rear visibility is not particularly good, and the mirrors, while fairly large, just don’t compensate for that.

The GLS rides better than the GL Double Cab we tested. It’s smoother on the road with its uprated sports suspension, less noisy, and overall just easier to drive. There’s usually a fuel consumption penalty in these types of vehicles when you choose the automatic over the manual, and the Triton isn’t an exception. Go for the manual 4WD GLS Sport and you get 8.3l/100km; go for the automatic 2WD GLS Sport and it’s 9.4l/100km. The automatic 4WD is 9.6l/100km.

It has the useful Bluetooth hands-free phone integration and cruise control, and along with its inherent practicality the 2WD Triton is bound to remain popular with urban tradespeople who don’t need heavy duty suspension or 4WD and want an easy-to-drive automatic whilst travelling in heavy traffic.

Pros

• Capable ute with excellent towing capacity

Cons

• Equivalent 2WD Ranger XLT is $2000 cheaper

Price: from $50,890+ORC for the top-of-the-line 2WD GLS. Base model starts at $34,790

Our test vehicle had the optional tow bar fitted.

Gallery

Words and photos: Darren Cottingham