FIRST DRIVE: 2024 Mitsubishi Triton tested by AutoFun Thailand

The 2024 Mitsubishi Triton recently made its global debut in Thailand. The all-new pickup truck rides on a new chassis have radically new styling, features, and a more powerful 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine. 

While it may take some time for the new pickup truck to make it to the Philippine market as it is slated for a January 2024 launch, our colleagues from AutoFun Thailand were able to drive the new Triton to give you a general idea of what to expect from the new pickup truck. 

It's important to note that they tested the mid variant of the Triton that still comes with the older 2.4-liter 4N15 motor with 184 horsepower versus the top-spec model with 204 horsepower. 

Also Read: First try: 2023 Mitsubishi Triton gets better, But is it good enough to compete for 3rd place in Thailand?

Turbo lag

Mitsubishi has given its standard 4N15 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine a bit of a redesign with how it enters boost. The Japanese automaker has attached the turbocharger much closer to the engine. However, it does come at a cost, as turbo lag is more noticeable when you want to put the power down. 

However, they must note that they tested the mid-spec Triton, not the top-spec variant with the newer 4N16 engine that pushes out 204 horsepower. The driving characteristics of the pickup truck may change with the newer engine reducing its noticeable turbo lag. 

More comfortable Chassis, less Soundproofing

Mitsubishi has given the 2024 Triton a new chassis to ride on, which gives it a more comfortable ride while maintaining the ability to go off-road and carry cargo. 

Our colleagues from Thailand noticed that the chassis was softer than the older model, thanks to a new suspension setup. However, it has a few drawbacks, as they saw that body roll was more prevalent with the pickup truck than before, especially while on paved roads. But it all makes sense once you take the pickup truck off-road, giving you more grip and a more dynamic drive.

Another thing that they noticed is that engine noise is quite loud in the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton, which indicates that it lacks soundproofing. Our colleagues also noted that wind noise is evident with the new pickup truck, especially once it starts hitting the vehicle's underside. It's something that Mitsubsih may have to address later on or for the Philippine market. 

Great brakes and a spacious cabin

Another thing that our colleagues from Thailand noticed is the brakes of the all-new Triton. They saw that the brakes provided precise and swift control of the vehicle, indicating that its braking felt improved compared to the previous iteration.

Aside from this, the pickup's hydraulic steering feel has also been improved. It's now lighter than before but still provides excellent feedback from the suspension and chassis, so you’ll always know what the car is doing. 

They also noticed that the suspension is a bit bouncier than before, given that the unit they tested had no load in the back. However, Mitsubishi did an excellent job of keeping things comfortable in the cabin because of its spacious feel and the use of excellent seat cushions that dull any road imperfections while being supportive at the same time. 

General verdict

The bigger chassis does come with its pros and cons regarding the handling of the new pickup truck. Given its new dimensions, the turning radius of the Triton has been affected, as it now needs 6.2 meters to make a U-turn. However, to compensate for this, Mitsubishi has given the pickup truck a lighter steering feel, making it easier for you to turn the vehicle. 

The design of the Triton also affects its drag coefficient. Still, Mitsubishi has worked around this problem by designing the grille of the pickup truck to help funnel air around the vehicle while maintaining its cooling properties. 

The all-new Triton seems more comfortable than before, thanks to its softer suspension setup. Given that it is a pickup truck you can expect to hear engine noise entering the cabin, and you can expect the engine to have a bit of turbo lag. 

With recent changes, the new pickup truck is starting on the right foot. However, Mitsubishi has yet to release the top-spec model with a more powerful engine. For that, we will have to wait for them to release it in Thailand to get another set of initial impressions about the more powerful version of the vehicle. 

It's a waiting game to see what Mitsubishi Philippines will have in store for the all-new Triton once it makes its local debut in January 2024.

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