2020 Mitsubishi Triton (L200) review: Should you buy one? | Auto Expert John Cadogan

Triton's a quiet achiever with decent performance and a proven track record of good reliability and support - unlike most other utes in the market

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On the plus side obviously: really good engine and driveline, with that new six-speed auto. Super Select II is brilliant in GLS and GLS Premium.
Relative value proposition: pretty strong. It’s $62,000 for a Ranger Wildtrak, and $52,000 for a Triton GLS Premium (that’s both before on-road costs, here in Shitsville) - and I have to say the $10,000 you save will buy you a fair few off-road adventuring accessories if that’s why you’re doing this.

Let’s talk about the competitors:
Hilux is the king … of mediocrity, in my view. It’s overpriced, there’s still no native Apple or Android support, and the recent 2.8 DPF reliability fiasco (and the way Toyota handled it) really put a dent in Hilux for me. If you want to be part of Club Hilux - and it’s a big club, out there in the bush - knock yourself out.
Hilux is insanely popular. You won’t have to justify buying it to anyone. And the service and support network in the Outback is the best. So there’s that.
Ranger, Colorado, Amarok … if it’s confession time, I confess I really like the look and the way they drive. Of all three. I really do. But there’s more to ownership than styling and driving, huh?
And the grim fact there is that Ford, Holden and Volkswagen are the three horsemen of the customer support apocalypse. You just have to look at the damning overload of evidence - much of it accessible in a few clicks on the ACCC’s website.
The only prudent advice with Ranger, Colorado and Amarok is: Look, but don’t touch. If you know what’s good for you. Like, all vehicles have problems, from time to time, but I must say it is nice not to be crucified when they do.
D-MAX … well, it’s like a brand new 10-year-old Colorado. The ‘cougar’ of Colorados. Support network is pretty tiny, and not that enthusiastic if you actually have a concern. Over-hyped ‘legendary truck reliability’. Please.
Navara - it’s a ‘maybe’. But the higher-end models have a multi-link rear end that (essentially) Mercedes-Benz demanded for the X-Class platform. It’s great if you never carry a heavy load or tow anything. But it lets team Navara badly if you do.
And the turning circle is comparatively appalling. Nissan customer support - not quite as bad as Volkswagen, Ford and Holden, but still a long way from excellent. And three-year warranty? Huh? If you needed evidence Nissan’s post-GFC brain damage is still profound, there’s exhibit A.
Basically, Triton’s a well thought out package at a great value pricepoint for a ute. It doesn’t give much trouble in service - I get hardly any Triton complaints - and when I do get an owner that a dealer has dropped the ball on, historically, Mitsubishi has gotten on it and fixed the problem.
It’s got a great warranty, currently: seven years thus far for 2019, or 150,000 kays. So there’s that.
I also kinda like it how the Triton manages to be popular without making borderline misrepresentative claims about things like its towing prowess.
Trust me that 3.1 tonnes is far more realistic than the 3.5-tonne bullshit claims peddled by competitors.
If you need a ute - or if you just want a ute (that’s quite OK too - if a chick is allowed to lust after a Lady Dior handbag, you’re allowed to fantasise about a dual-cab) - Triton really stacks up on objective criteria.