2019 Mitsubishi Triton VGT AT Premium Review

In Malaysia's pickup truck market, 2.4L diesel four-wheel-drive models have always been a popular choice for balancing cargo transport and family usage. The 2019 Mitsubishi Triton VGT AT Premium, as a mid-to-high-end configuration model under the brand, attracts attention with its 180PS power output, abundant practical features, and a 5-year/200,000km extended warranty. This time, through an actual test drive, we focus on its power response, practicality of space, and daily driving comfort to see if it meets local users' demand for an "all-purpose" pickup truck.

From the appearance, the 2019 Triton VGT AT Premium maintains Mitsubishi's classic rugged pickup truck style. The front end features a large chrome-plated grille paired with halogen and LED combination headlights on both sides, giving it high recognizability. The side profile has straight lines, with a 3000mm wheelbase, which is the mainstream level in its class. The 265/60 R18 tires ensure off-road capability while maintaining stability during highway driving. The rear design is simple, with the rear fog lights and reversing camera integrated below the bumper, emphasizing practicality. Overall, the design avoids overly fancy elements, aligning with pickup truck users' intuitive expectation of "durability."

Sitting inside the vehicle, the interior uses black as the main color tone, and the center console is clearly laid out. The 6.1-inch touchscreen is positioned at the top of the center console, offering moderate smoothness in operation and supporting basic multimedia functions. The instrument cluster is a backlit analog design, clearly displaying essential information like fuel consumption and RPM at a glance. In terms of materials, the upper part of the center console is hard plastic, but the door armrests and seats are wrapped in soft materials, providing acceptable touch comfort. For features, keyless entry, single-zone automatic air conditioning, rear air conditioning vents, and a 220V power outlet are practical highlights. Especially the rear air conditioning, which can significantly enhance the riding experience in Malaysia's hot weather. The front seats are manually adjustable, while the rear has foldable armrests to alleviate fatigue during long rides.

The space performance aligns with the positioning of a midsize pickup truck. The headroom in the front driver's seat is about a fist and two fingers, with ample leg space. Even passengers with a height of 180cm won’t feel cramped. The rear legroom is about two fists, and headroom is about one fist, allowing three adults to sit without feeling overly crowded. Regarding storage capability, the door pockets can hold two bottles of mineral water, the center armrest box offers moderate capacity, and underneath the rear seats are hidden storage spaces ideal for tools or small items. Although the cargo bed size is not specifically listed, it is fully sufficient for daily carriage of construction materials, fishing gear, and similar items.

In terms of performance, the 2.4L diesel engine delivers a maximum power of 180PS at 3,500rpm and maximum torque at 2,500rpm, paired with an AT transmission. The power response is a bit slow during initial acceleration, but once the RPM exceeds 2,000rpm, the turbo kicks in with notable thrust. When overtaking by stepping hard on the accelerator, the transmission downshifts responsively, and power output is seamless, handling urban roads and highway cruising without issues. Switching the drive mode to four-wheel drive, the vehicle shows stable traction through muddy roads or during light off-road adventures, aligning well with its position as a 4x4 model.

The handling and chassis performance are tuned for comfort. The steering wheel has moderate steering effort and acceptable precision, making daily driving not tiring. The front double-wishbone independent suspension can filter out most bumps when passing speed bumps or uneven roads, providing a relatively stable experience for rear passengers. During cornering, the body roll is within an acceptable range, and there is no obvious "floating" sensation. In terms of noise control, engine noise and tire noise can be heard inside the cabin during high-speed driving, but this is normal for pickups in its class and does not affect conversations inside the car.

In our fuel consumption test, we drove 50km each in city and highway conditions, with the air conditioner on throughout the journey. The final average fuel consumption was approximately 8.5L/100km, which is quite economical for a 2.4L diesel four-wheel-drive pickup. The braking performance is stable, and during emergency braking, the vehicle's posture remains steady without noticeable nosedive.

Overall, the 2019 Mitsubishi Triton VGT AT Premium's core strength lies in its balance—its power is sufficient for daily use, its space meets both family and cargo needs, it has practical configurations, and it comes with reliable warranty policies. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Ford Ranger XLT, the Triton is slightly more affordable and offers features like rear air conditioning and a 220V power outlet, which cater more to local user needs. However, when it comes to tech configurations (such as a digital instrument cluster), the competition might have an edge.

This car is suitable for two kinds of users: first, small business owners who need to balance family travel with light-duty cargo transport; its long warranty and practical features can reduce operating costs. Second, weekend off-road enthusiasts; its four-wheel-drive system and higher ground clearance can handle basic off-road scenarios. If you don't need too many flashy tech features and place more value on "durability" and "versatility," then the 2019 Triton VGT AT Premium is a great option.

In conclusion, the 2019 Mitsubishi Triton VGT AT Premium is a "pragmatic" pickup truck. It has no significant weaknesses, and its overall performance is above average for its class. Its practical features and power performance fully meet the daily needs of local users.