Mitsubishi Triton GLS – The Honest All-Rounder

It’s the sort of ute that can carry tools during the week, tow the boat or caravan on Friday afternoon, swallow the family’s gear on Saturday morning and still be perfectly civilised when somebody suggests driving three hours for lunch.

And that, for us, is exactly where a good touring ute should sit.

Thai Built, Japanese Bloodline

While Mitsubishi is Japanese, the Triton is predominantly manufactured in Thailand, which has been the model’s major production base since the third generation arrived in 1995. Today’s sixth-generation Triton continues to come from Mitsubishi’s Thai manufacturing operation.

Here’s the pub-trivia bit: the Triton family began life as the Mitsubishi Forte in 1978. Depending on where you lived, versions have also been called the L200, Strada and even Dodge Ram 50 in North America.

So this isn't Mitsubishi having a sudden crack at building a ute. There’s nearly half a century of history behind it.

Right in the Touring Sweet Spot

Under the bonnet is Mitsubishi’s 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel, producing 150kW and 470Nm, matched to a six-speed automatic.

The GLS gets Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II system, which is one of its strongest touring cards. Unlike basic part-time 4WD systems, it gives you a full-time 4WD setting suitable for sealed roads, along with low range, a rear differential lock and seven drive modes when things get properly dirty.

Maximum braked towing capacity is 3,500kg, putting it squarely into caravan, camper trailer, horse float and family boat territory. Claimed combined fuel consumption across the Double Cab Triton range is around the mid-7L/100km mark depending on specification — although hitching 3.5 tonnes behind it and expecting that figure would require both optimism and a decent tailwind.

The GLS Double Cab measures 5,320mm long, 1,865mm wide and rides on a 3,130mm wheelbase. There are five seats, 18-inch alloys, a 9-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, satellite navigation, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a wireless phone charger.

Importantly for family touring, the current Double Cab Triton also carries a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Who Does It Suit?

Tradies who don't want two vehicles are obvious candidates, but the GLS makes just as much sense for families, caravanners, boat owners, campers and regional travellers who need genuine load and towing capability without stepping into the most expensive versions of the dual-cab market.

It’s also relatively easy to accessorise into whatever you need: canopy, drawers, roof rack, tow gear, fridge, recovery equipment — or absolutely nothing if your idea of roughing it is a motel without Foxtel.

What We Like – And What We’d Change

What we like most is that the GLS doesn't pretend to be something exotic. 150kW, 470Nm, 3.5-tonne towing, proper 4WD hardware and useful touring technology make it a very convincing all-rounder.

For the next evolution, we'd like Mitsubishi to push cabin presentation and refinement another notch. The Triton has improved enormously, but this segment has become ridiculously competitive and buyers now expect their workhorse to feel surprisingly SUV-like inside.

That aside, the Triton GLS understands its job.

It’s a ute that earns its keep Monday to Friday and still feels right heading off with the family on Saturday.

Quick Specs

• Engine: 2.4L bi-turbo diesel four-cylinder
• Power: 150kW @ 3,500rpm
• Torque: 470Nm @ 1,500–2,750rpm
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic
• Drive: Super Select 4WD-II
• Braked towing: 3,500kg
• Seats: 5
• Wheels: 18-inch alloys
• Overall length: 5,320mm
• Wheelbase: 3,130mm
• Infotainment: 9-inch touchscreen
• Safety: Five-star ANCAP – Double Cab

Find out more - MITSUBISHI TRITON GLS