2025 Mitsubishi Triton: Five new things we found – First Drive

The new generation Mitsubishi Triton has been officially launched for the local market last week after being introduced at the global level for over a year.

It can be said that almost every aspect of this pickup truck has been extensively redesigned, including the platform, engine, suspension system, cabin layout, and most importantly, a more rugged and bold appearance.

So, do the aforementioned changes have a significant impact on this Triton pickup truck?

Earlier this month, the writer and other media colleagues were invited to test drive the Mitsubishi Triton 2025 from the capital heading towards the East Coast.

Here is an overview of our experience after driving this pickup truck for two days:

1. More stable and confident driving

The Mitsubishi Triton 2025 utilizes an all-new platform with larger dimensions, making it appear more rugged on the road.

The new Triton also features a sturdier ladder-frame chassis, emphasizing the use of high-strength steel (1,180 MPa) to minimize weight gain.

Additionally, the new Triton is equipped with a suspension system with longer travel distance and thicker stabilizer bars, along with an electronic power steering (EPS) system, all contributing to a more stable and confident driving experience.

Based on our experience, the Triton offers easy-to-handle steering response, not too heavy or too light, making it easier for the driver to navigate throughout the journey.

In addition, the journey is more comfortable due to less vibration and noise perceived from inside the cabin throughout the journey, even when traversing various types of road surfaces.

2. More powerful new engine

In addition to the platform, the Triton 2025 now also features an all-new diesel engine.

Although the capacity has not changed much, the 2.4-liter turbo MIVEC engine (code name 4N16) now produces a high output of 204 PS and torque of 470 Nm.

Coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Triton does not require much effort to overtake cargo trailers or those seeking rental properties in the middle of the highway.

At standard highway speeds, driving the Triton felt agile and powerful, resembling the feeling of driving an SUV.

The typical Active Yaw Control (AYC) feature found in high-performance Mitsubishi models is also offered in the new Triton, providing more confidence, especially when navigating winding roads.

However, it should be noted that the Triton is still a pickup truck, and one must be aware of the limits and capabilities of a pickup truck, as well as the driver’s skills in handling a vehicle with a high center of gravity.

3. More confident off-road driving

We had the opportunity to test the handling of the Triton pickup truck on off-road routes in Janda Baik, followed by a special off-road driving session provided during the recent official launch.

To us, the combination of the platform, engine, suspension system, and the 4WD Super Select II system also provided advantages to the Triton in tackling more difficult and challenging routes.

Based on our experience, it was difficult for us to feel significant roughness inside the cabin even when the pickup truck was driven at high speed on dusty roads or over rocky terrain.

The power derived from the 2.4-liter diesel engine was also smoothly transmitted to the wheels to ensure the truck continued to move forward or overcome obstacles as directed by the driver.

With the use of EPS steering, handling on off-road routes also felt more assured, especially for those who may not be accustomed to handling larger vehicles.

The 4WD Super Select II system with on-the-fly mode selection operation is also very easy to use for adapting the pickup truck to various road surface conditions.

As standard, the Triton provides up to seven drive modes that can be selected through drive mode settings such as 2H, 4H, 4HLc, and 4LLc, not forgetting the Hill Descent Control (HDC) feature that allows the driver to control the vehicle while descending a slope without having to rely on the brakes..

4. Beast Mode makes the Triton look more rugged

Initially, it was difficult for the writer to accept the visual changes present in this new Triton.

When placed alongside the previous generation Triton, many may be inclined to choose the Triton with the sharper design of the Dynamic Shield.

For the new Triton, the Dynamic Shield element has been renewed with the Beast Mode theme, making the appearance of this Triton look more rugged.

The L-shaped LED daytime running lights are intentionally designed to resemble sharp eagle eyes, while the rear lights with T-shaped graphics further accentuate the breadth of this pickup truck.

Additionally, the somewhat boxy body design makes this Triton resemble an American pickup truck.

5. More modern, user-friendly cabin space

89_New Triton Media Drive_20241002_Day 2

69_New Triton Media Drive_20241002_Day 2

The new Triton incorporates the Horizontal Axis design element to make the layout of the dashboard neater and less obstructive to the view.

The writer greatly appreciates the combination of analog meters and a digital screen with a black background that is very easy to read and devoid of distracting fancy colors that could disrupt driving focus.

The new Triton also features large and easy-to-use physical buttons and controls.

This is an important feature because most old-school drivers, like the writer, rely on muscle memory to adjust settings such as temperature, fan speed, or simply change the direction of airflow without needing to frequently divert their attention while driving.

The central screen also does not need to be excessively large to the point of obstructing the field of vision, it is adequate and at the same time still offers the desired functions of most users – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

One thing the writer likes about the Triton is the air conditioning vent positioned on the ceiling, which requires cool breeze from the front to make the rear passengers comfortable.

The second-row seats are also comfortable to use with a less steep angle, but the structure of the headrests themselves makes the passengers sit a little more upright than usual.

One significant drawback present in the new Triton is the absence of a 360-degree surround camera feature, which may make you feel the driving experience with the Triton especially on narrow roads or slightly challenging off-road routes a bit difficult due to the increased dimensions of the Triton, which have become larger, wider, and taller.

The turning radius of this pickup truck has also increased due to the longer wheelbase compared to previous models.

If there are no third-row passengers, it is recommended to remove the center headrest as its position could disrupt the rearview mirror’s field of vision.