All other pick-up trucks’ Part-Time 4WD transmission have just three modes – 2WD High (2H), 4WD High (4H), and 4WD Low (4L). When driving on normal tarred roads, only 2H should be used, even if it’s raining.

Using any other modes on high traction surfaces like tarred roads will cause premature damage to the transmission. 4H should be used only in off-road conditions while the crawling speed ultra-low ratio 4L is only for extreme off-road conditions.

The only exception to this is the Mitsubishi Strada’s Super Select 4WD II feature (available only on the Adventure X variant), which works a bit more like a full-time 4WD rather than a part-time 4WD

With the Mitsubishi Strada’s Super Select 4WD II, drivers can leave it in 4H mode even when driving on tarred roads, operating the Triton almost like a full-time 4WD vehicle – it’s the only pick-up truck to offer this feature.

The benefit? Maximum traction on all road conditions, in any weather. The downside to it is of course higher fuel consumption, thus drivers are still encourage to switch to the default 2H mode when driving on dry tarred surface.

Selecting between 2H and 4H can be done on the fly (up to 100 km/h), simply by turning the rotary dial next to the gear lever.

Unlike normal part-time 4WD systems, the Mitsubishi Strada’s Super Select 4WD II has four modes – 2H. 4H, 4HLc, and 4LLc. Both 2H and 4H can be used on dry/wet tarred roads, while 4HLc and 4LLc locks the centre differential for an optimal 50/50 front-rear torque split for driving off-road.

Most of its competitors come with only a locking rear differential, meaning it can do a 50/50 torque split between the rear left and rear right wheels, but can’t do anything about the front wheels.

However Super Select 4WD II is actually a lot more than just that. The highlight is actually the Mitsubishi Triton’s Off-road Mode, which works quite similar to a Range Rover’s Terrain Response feature.

Depending on the mode selected, the distribution of torque and sensitivity of the traction control is adjusted for optimal traction. In some surfaces like mud, it’s better to relax the traction control to allow for more slip. On rocks however, it’s better to tighten the traction control.

It’s a far more sophisticated version of the Toyota Hilux’s Active Traction Control (A-TRC). While A-TRC only works on the rear axles and only in 4L mode, the Mitsubishi Strada’s Off-road mode works on both axles and on any 4WD mode, and it has a different setting for different terrain, thus it works a lot smoother too. 

This, and the earlier mentioned Full-time 4WD function, is why the Mitsubishi Strada’s 4WD is the best in its class.