2024 Mitsubishi Triton 4x4 VGT AT Premium Review

Nowadays, the competition in the Malaysian pickup truck market is becoming increasingly fierce. Major brands are striving to find a balance between practicality and comfort. The 2024 Mitsubishi Triton 4x4 VGT AT Premium, as a mid-to-high-end model in this series, has garnered significant attention with its upgraded power parameters and practical configurations. In this test drive, we focus on two core aspects: Can it balance daily commuting comfort and off-road capability? Is the pricing around 130,000 MYR justified by its overall performance? Next, let's take a comprehensive look at this vehicle, from its static features to dynamic performance.

As you approach the new vehicle, you immediately notice its more powerful and robust exterior design compared to the previous model. The front features a large chrome-plated grille, paired with sharp LED daytime running lights on both sides, giving it high recognizability. A black plastic skid plate under the front bumper enhances the rugged style. The car's side profile features simple and strong lines, with a 5305mm length paired with a 3000mm wheelbase, ensuring ample cargo bed space while maintaining a well-proportioned overall design. At the rear, the vertically aligned taillights echo the front design, and the rear bumper is also equipped with a skid plate. Combined with 18-inch alloy wheels and 265/60 R18 tires, the truck meets the visual standards of a 4x4 pickup. The lighting system is a combination of halogen main headlights and LED daytime running lights, which meet daily lighting needs while keeping costs under control.

Opening the door and stepping inside, the overall interior layout focuses on practicality rather than elaborate design. The dashboard uses hard plastic materials; while the texture isn't particularly premium, its dirt-resistant and durable characteristics make it more suitable for pickup truck use. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system sits atop the dashboard. The operation is smooth, and it supports the Sound Plus feature, paired with six speakers to provide basic audio quality for everyday needs. The multifunction steering wheel integrates buttons for volume control, call answering, and other functions, allowing easy operation while driving. The instrument cluster features a high-contrast design, displaying information such as RPM and speed clearly, even under strong light. In terms of features, keyless entry, one-touch start, front side airbags, and ISOFIX connectors are standard. The addition of rear air conditioning vents and a built-in 220V power outlet enhances the convenience for rear passengers—especially on long trips, where they can better adjust the temperature and charge electronic devices as needed.

Space is one of the core strengths of pickup trucks, and this Triton is no exception. The front seats support manual adjustment; although not as convenient as electric adjustment, the range is sufficient to accommodate drivers of different heights. The seat padding is on the firmer side, ensuring minimal fatigue during long drives. The rear seats feature a foldable armrest, enhancing the comfort of the middle passenger when seating three people. Legroom offers about two fists of clearance for passengers around 175cm tall, and the headroom is also spacious, avoiding any sense of confinement. As for storage space, the door pockets can hold two large water bottles, the central armrest box has moderate capacity, and there is even a hidden storage compartment under the rear seats, adding to the practicality.

In the dynamic driving section, the performance of the 2.4T diesel engine is particularly noteworthy. It delivers a maximum power of 181PS and a peak torque of 430N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The power output is smooth with ample reserve. On regular roads, there’s no significant turbo lag during initial acceleration, and the process of accelerating to 80 km/h feels linear. When the accelerator is pressed hard for overtaking, the transmission downshifts promptly, releasing torque that provides sufficient thrust for highway overtaking without pressure. After switching to 4H mode, off-road capability significantly improved. During the test drive, we tackled a muddy trail, and the vehicle demonstrated stable traction without any slippage. For the suspension, the combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear leaf springs ensures that small bumps are mostly filtered out on paved roads. On speed bumps or uneven terrain, the rear suspension shows a degree of stiffness, transmitting some jolts to the cabin, though this is normal for a pickup truck. The steering wheel offers moderate resistance with minimal play, making it fairly easy to handle during everyday driving.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the official combined fuel consumption is 7.7L/100km. During actual test drives, the fuel consumption in urban conditions (including congested sections) is about 8.5L/100km, while highway conditions can lower it to around 7.2L/100km. For a 2.4T 4x4 pickup truck, this result is considered average. Noise control performance is decent, as wind and road noise are somewhat transmitted during high-speed driving, but the diesel engine noise is well suppressed, which does not affect conversations inside the cabin.

Overall, the key advantage of the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton 4x4 VGT AT Premium lies in its balanced performance—sufficient power to handle daily commuting and light off-road situations, configurations that meet household needs, and space that aligns with the positioning of a pickup truck. Compared with the Toyota Hilux 2.4G 4x4 AT (priced at around 140,000 MYR) in the same class, it has a certain price advantage while maintaining similar configurations. Compared with the Ford Ranger 2.0 XL 4x4, its torque figures are more advantageous. This vehicle is suitable for two types of users: one is users who need to balance work and family, where the cargo bed can hold tools, and the back row can carry family members; the other is outdoor adventure enthusiasts who occasionally enjoy exploring, as the 4x4 system can handle basic off-road scenarios.

In conclusion, the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton 4x4 VGT AT Premium is a practical pickup truck with "no obvious shortcomings." It does not have particularly standout highlights but also does not have fatal flaws. Priced at around 130,000 MYR, it holds decent competitiveness in the same class market, making it suitable for consumers who value cost performance and multifunctionality.