The fifth-generation Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck got a facelift earlier this year with a new Dynamic Shield front look, sporting a sharper, sportier nose and slimmer headlights.
It's not all about looks too, as the previous five-speed automatic gearbox is replaced by a new 6-speed automatic for a smoother drive.
The flagship Adventure X variant, which is the review unit here, also gets a lot of extra premium kit such as automatic bi-LED projector headlamps and a new Super-Select 4WD II system which has a Off-road Mode for off-road conditions such as gravel, mud, sand and rock.
And for the RM135,200 price tag, you also get class-leading active safety and driver assistance systems including Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) and Blind Spot Warning with Lane Change Assist (BSW with LCA); Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Auto High Beam system, and Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS).
Other exclusive features on the Adventure X variant are leatherette seats, a powered driver's seat, LED daytime running lights, automatic wipers, paddle shifters, front passenger's seatbelt reminder, front parking sensors and seven airbags.
Exterior
The new Dynamic Shield front look is a major departure from the previous model, and emphasises slim headlights and big casings for the fog and signal lamp clusters.
The pick-up truck sports a bold-looking front face, which gives it a tougher and imposing look.
Mitsubishi designers also completed the facelift by adding body curves and extended wheel flares, which lends it a sleeker profile as well as visual width.
The new exterior look also fits Mitsubishi's "Engineered Beyond Tough" tagline for the new Triton, as the Japanese marque wants to highlight the pick-up truck's reliability, durability and 4WD performance.
Interior
The interior also gets a re-style, and just like its predecessor, the new Triton has a passenger car-like cabin with ample creature comforts, polished metal trim, interior chrome door handles and decent quality plastics.
On this flagship Adventure X variant, you get black leatherette seats and a powered driver's seat which adds to the premium ambience and sporty look.
On the top three Triton variants, rear passengers also enjoy the convenience of ceiling fitted rear air vents and fan control buttons, as well as two rear USB ports and a deep compartment for storing smartphones located behind the front centre armrest.
The new Triton's interior is certainly a comfortable cocoon, and fulfills the Mitsubishi quest of offering pick-up truck cabins with top-notch comfort features.
Practicality
The Triton is well-known for practical interior design, and the facelifted model here is no different.
There's a sizeable touchscreen display unit with Bluetooth and voice command, and the six-speaker audio system provides very decent sound quality.
Besides the two rear USB ports, another USB port and a compartment for storing smartphones are located in the front centre console.
There are plenty of storage spaces in the cabin including a deep centre storage box and two cup holders between the front seats, and front seatback pockets.
We also found nice conveniences like automatic air-conditioning, door lock/unlock buttons on the front door handles, as well as wing mirrors that fold automatically when doors are locked.
Pairing our smartphones via Bluetooth to the head unit is done easily.
Safety
This Adventure X variant gets exclusive safety features such as front passenger's seatbelt reminder, front parking sensors, and seven airbags as well as Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Autonomous Emergency Braking (Vehicle & Pedestrian), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Change Alert (LCA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Auto High Beam (AHB), Ultrasonic Mis-acceleration Mitigation System (UMS).
These are advanced safety systems that were formerly only seen in premium vehicles, but which have been fitted in more affordable vehicles in recent times.
Forward Collision Mitigation with Autonomous Emergency Braking can detect vehicles and pedestrians ahead, and help to prevent a frontal collision or reduce damage if the collision is unavoidable.
Blind Spot Warning with Lane Change Alert help to avoid collision with another car when changing lanes by detecting vehicles behind or at the rear quarter, and notifies the driver with an audible alert and flashing light in the door mirrors.
When reversing, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) scans the area on either side and alerts the driver about approaching vehicles.
With Auto High Beam, the headlights automatically switch to low beams when vehicles are detected ahead, and also switch back to high beams - thus removing manual control of headlights for the driver.
The Ultrasonic Mis-acceleration Mitigation System help to prevent collisions while parking - a buzzer sounds and a warning displays if front or rear sensors detect a nearby obstacle.
Engine output is also controlled if you suddenly accelerate by accident.
Ride & handling
The new Triton uses the same powerful 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo diesel engine with VGT (variable geometry turbo) intercooler, which was launched here in September 2016 and outputs 181ps and 430Nm of torque.
The Triton still stands out as the first pick-up here to have variable valve timing technology and also, an aluminum alloy engine which contribute to lower fuel consumption.
However, the latest Triton gets a new 6-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the previous five-speed gearbox, and this helps to provide a more refined drive at higher driving speeds.
Fitted with comfort-oriented Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 tyres sized 265/60 R18, we found the Triton to be quite a comfortable ride in urban traffic.
The pick-up crawls smoothly on congested roads, and makes short work of road imperfections, and you hardly feel any discomfort on badly maintained and uneven roads.
Engine, wind and road noise intrusion is quite minimal, and carrying on a decent conversation while cruising on highways is not an issue.
The Triton also claims a best-in-class turning radius of 5.9 metres and this extra edge in manoeuvrability for a big and long vehicle, is a boon in tight parking spaces and when making U-turns on narrow roads.
Also exclusive to the Adventure X variant is a Super-Select 4WD II system which delivers optimum traction and handling characteristics over all surfaces - all you need to do is use a rotary knob controller to select 2H (2WD high range), 4H (full time 4WD), 4HLc (4WD high range) and 4LLc (4WD low range) drive modes.
You also get a first-in-class Off-road Mode for extra traction on gravel, mud, sand and rock surfaces - this is easily selected via a push button.
Another feature here is Hill Descent Control that automatically applies brakes on downhill terrain.
Fuel consumption
We spent four days with the pick-up truck, and drove 325km over a mix of congested city roads and free-flowing highways.
When we returned the pick-up truck, the digital fuel tank meter gauge was at the halfway point and the trip meter showed it can still travel another 370km before refuelling.
We had recorded an average of 8.8 litres per 100km, according to the trip meter.
We think this is very decent fuel consumption levels, as we did not use hypermiling techniques, and drove normally with our usual heavy-footed style, and the air-conditioning switched on all the time.
Warranty
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia provides a five-year or 200,000km (whichever is first) warranty which is quite attractive in its segment.
Summary
We are convinced that the Triton Adventure X remains as among the best pick-ups to drive, with lots of creature comforts and high-end safety features.
It is also wallet-pleasingly less thirsty for diesel, and offers good value at its asking price.
There is plenty of muscle for off-road adventures, and the Super-Select 4WD II system and Off-road Mode should be very useful on rugged terrain.
This Adventure X variant is a pleasure to drive, and while the higher-end Triton variants have always been comfort-oriented creatures, this latest edition takes the enjoyable experience to another level.
2019 Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure X
Engine: 2,442cc MIVEC turbodiesel DI-D commonrail VGT intercooler
Maximum power: 181ps at 3,500rpm
Maximum torque: 430Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with Sport Mode
Features: Automatic Bi-LED projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, Push Start Ignition, 6 speakers, touch screen, CD, MP3, USB, Bluetooth, Voice Command with Apple Car Play and Android Auto ready, 3 USB sockets, automatic air-conditoning, rear air-conditioning vents, tilt and telescopic steering, paddle shifters, cruise control, leatherette seats, powered driver's seat, 18-inch alloy wheels, side steps, Super Select 4WD II and Off-Road Mode (Gravel, Mud, Sand, Rock)
Safety features: 7 airbags, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Active Stability Control (ASC), Traction Control (TC), Brake Override System (BOS), Rest Reminder, Hill-Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), seatbelt reminder (both front seats), Reverse Camera, Front & Rear parking sensors, ISOFIX points with top tethers for child seats, Child Lock Protection, Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Autonomous Emergency Braking (Vehicle & Pedestrian), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Change Alert (LCA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Auto High Beam (AHB), Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS)
Price (on the road, without insurance): RM135,200
