2024 Mitsubishi Triton Athlete: The best by far, so far
Creating a sequel is a notoriously difficult task.
From literature to the big screen, there are examples abound of texts (in the literary sense) that didn’t quite live up to their first iterations. This is often because new storylines don’t properly propel old ones forward or provide a satisfactory closure to the original plot.
One notable exception would be the Top Gun series – despite being released 36 years apart, both the original and its sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, achieved enormous success not only for their stunning cinematography, but also for creating a compelling storyline for “wild card” naval aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (portrayed by Tom Cruise in the two films).
Unsurprisingly, things are much the same with cars, which are effectively wheeled forms of literary text that likewise convey aesthetic and informative messages. The old Mitsubishi Strada Athlete had been one of the country’s finest 4×4 pick-up trucks before the all-new Triton was launched in January this year.
We find out if the Diamond Star brand’s newest top-of-the-line pick-up is a flop or a fan favorite.
Knockout styling
If the 2024 Triton Athlete were a movie sequel, high praise must be given to Mitsubishi for making truly original visuals.
It is impossible to mistake this pick-up for anything else – especially with its huge, body-colored front grill and two-tiered LED lights. The gloss-black accents just add to the Triton Athlete’s visual appeal, contrasting well with the eye-catching Yamabuki Orange Metallic paint scheme.
Down the side, Mitsubishi has happily let go of using decals (as in the Strada Athlete) and kept things classy with gloss-black paint on the door handles, side mirrors, overfenders and sports bar. This is complemented by the gloss-black 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/60 series all-terrain tires.
The rear bed – measuring 1,555 millimeters long, 1,545 millimeters wide and 525 millimeters tall – features giant LED taillights and a standard plastic liner. However, I would have preferred a bit more originality in the Triton Athlete’s posterior, much like past Stradas.
Commodious cabin
This automotive sequel has likewise made huge inroads inside.
The black-and-orange interior (a trademark of Athlete variants) doesn’t feel like you’re sitting in a knockoff leather bag anymore – the hide is perfectly fine, while the suede adds a dash of sophistication to what is effectively the modern equivalent of the ox cart. And although the orange contrast stitching is attractive, the hard plastics on the dashboard and door cards are not.
But at long last, the horrendous and ancient touchscreen infotainment system of Mitsubishis past has gone the way of the dodo. It has been replaced with a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that is clear, responsive and not as distracting as the enormous TV screens from Chinese carmakers.
High praise must also be given to the very clear 360-degree camera system that automatically engages when the parking sensors detect a hazard, as well as the powerful dual-zone climate control system with the Athlete-exclusive rear fan. In addition, the driver’s seat offers excellent support, but the steering wheel doesn’t tilt high enough for shorter drivers.
Other niceties include the active-safety suite that includes Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection, Blindspot Warning System with Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. That last feature takes the Triton Athlete to a dead-stop if it detects objects or pedestrians that you could plow into.
However, why Mitsubishi didn’t bother to add the highly convenient and life-saving adaptive cruise control – available in other top-spec pick-ups and even in its own Xforce and Montero Sport – is truly beyond me.
Twin-turbo punch
Nonetheless, the hits just keep on coming, especially under the hood.
The Triton Athlete is the only variant that gets a twin-turbocharged version of the all-new 2.4-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve 4N16 diesel engine producing a hearty 201 horsepower and 470 Newton-meters of torque. This is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox that felt rather jerky in this particular test unit, especially with its abrupt downshifts.
But ironically, it’s the new engine’s subdued scoring that really stands out – refinement is class-leading, with minimal diesel clatter. Fuel economy is equally outstanding for a 4×4 pick-up, returning 8 to 11 kilometers per liter in the city and 14 to 17 kilometers per liter on the expressway.
The Triton Athlete also has something hugely welcome in the segment – electric power steering. Despite some vagueness (which is beneficial on rough surfaces), the system makes tight maneuvers dead-easy, whereas other pick-ups make them feel like wrestling with a startled bear.
As before, this pick-up continues Mitsubishi’s tradition of impeccable suspension tuning, going through bumps without decimating your bones (something that should make Toyota Hilux owners jealous). However, the Triton Athlete’s body wobbles more than its rivals, making it shiver or judder over road imperfections.
Top of the tree
On the whole, the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton Athlete is a great sequel to the Strada Athlete.
It isn’t quite at the level of Top Gun: Maverick (especially with the jiggling and the lack of adaptive cruise control), but it definitely won’t bomb in the automotive box office. It’s an economical and punchy 4×4 pick-up that can haul, tow and do long distances considerably better than many of its antiquated rivals.
And given that cars tend to have mid-cycle updates, it would be interesting to see what sequel this sequel produces next.
