THERE'S a paradox about the latest in one-tonne utes.
They are getting softer and safer yet tougher and more adventurous.
- IN A WORD
- Make: Mitsubishi Triton
- Model: Triton GLX-R automatic
- Price: $50,490
- Road test: JOHN PARRY
Nowhere is this more evident than in Mitsubishi's top Triton, the GLX-R.
To call this the best four-door ute you can buy is to incite a riot on a Friday night, but if you're arguing for the Triton then you'll have a lot more ammunition up your sleeve than any of its rivals.
Starting with safety, the GLX-R comes standard with side and curtain airbags, a first for this class, plus stability control and traction control.
The interior sets the standard too, with an attractive and comprehensive dash, comfortable front seats and a rear seat that is best in class for space and comfort and is fitted with three lap-sash belts and a centre arm rest with cup holders.
It has a classy upmarket feel and unless you look in the mirror you could be excused for thinking you were in a well-appointed sedan.
A multi-function display includes a trip computer, compass, barometer, outside temperature and there are steering-wheel buttons for cruise control and the six-speaker audio system plus Bluetooth and a USB port.
The centre section of the rear window lowers electrically and integrated satellite navigation is optional.
The 2.5-litre high-output diesel engine produces 131kW at 4000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 2000rpm in the manual and 350Nm in the automatic, comparable to class leaders in the manual and 50Nm less in the five-speed automatic, which hits back with a sequential sports shift mode.
On test, an automatic GLX-R delivered strong and flexible performance and was smooth and relatively quiet apart from cold starts.
Left to its own devices the transmission shifts mostly on cue, makes good use of the engine's lugging ability and cruises at a relaxed 2000rpm at 100km/h.
Fuel consumption varied from 9.6 litres/100km when cruising to 17.6 litres/100km when towing a boat on a tandem trailer in hilly terrain.
This compares with the official combined figure of 9.3 litres/100km unladen.
The only hiccup was intrusive hunting from the engine under light load when cruise control was activated at 100-110km/h
Another first in this class is the transfer case, which offers two-wheel-drive and full-time four-wheel-drive as well as low range with or without the centre differential lock.
Add a switchable rear diff lock and the Triton copes with rugged off-road tracks, slippery surfaces and sand as it if was born there.
The latest model comes with a longer and deeper tray to counter criticisms of its shorter and shallower predecessor. It is now 1505mm long, an increase of 180mm, and 460mm deep, an increase of 55mm, which puts it mid-pack in its class.
Apart from the bigger tray, the new GLX-R can be identified by its new front bumper, revised grille and indicator lamps, and on the inside, new fabrics, revised instrument cluster and new sound system.
Towing capacity is 2700kg and the payload 938kg.
Topping it all off is the GLX-R auto's price of $50,490, or several thousand dollars less than the sales leader, the HiLux.
Now that Mitsubishi has set the ute safety standard, expect rivals to follow and soon.
