Mitsubishi Triton vs Mazda BT-50 vs Fiat Fullback: which one is the best value for money?

When it comes to double cab lifestyle bakkies in South Africa, the likes of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max, the Nissan Navara and Volkswagen’s Amarok are perhaps what sprint to mind first. However, there are alternatives, which present great packages and today we are comparing three of them, namely the Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda’s BT-50 and Fiat’s Fullback.

Having recently received a perceived valued-added raft of enhancements, the Trio Xtreme is the most recently launched of the trio while both the Fiat and Mazda have been unchanged since 2017. With a new BT50- on the way and the Mitsubishi and Fiat sharing a platform, engine and various body parts, we take a look at which one of these left-field bakkies provides the best value for money.

Related: Mitsubishi Triton and Fiat Fullback: Bakkie-brethren battle it out

 

The figures

	Mitsubishi Triton 2.4 DI-D double cab 4x4 Xtreme	Mazda BT-50 double cab 4x4 SLE auto	Fiat Fullback 2.4 DI-D double cab 4x4 auto
Engine size	4-cyl, 2.4-litre diesel	5-cyl, 3.2-litre diesel	4-cyl, 2.4-litre diesel
Power/Torque	133 kW/430 Nm	147 kW/470 Nm	133 kW/430 Nm
Kerb Weight	1 855 kg	2 118 kg	1 835 kg
Towing Capacity(braked)	3 100 kg	3 500 kg	3 100 kg
Airbag count	7	6	2
Ground clearance	220mm	237mm	205mm
Top speed	209 km/h	168 km/h	173 km/h
Claimed consumption	8.3 L/100 km	9.7 L/100 km	7.8 L/100 km
Warranty	3 yr/100 000 km	3 yr/ unlimited km	3 yr/100 000 km
Price	R 654 995	R 610 200	R 644 868

 

Comparing the trio

On paper, two of our contenders, namely the Trion and Fullback, are incredibly similar, sharing many components, including their engine, four-wheel drive system and many of its body panels. The BT-50 shares its platform, engine, gearbox and four-wheel drive system, with the current Ford Ranger, although the Mazda is now imported from Thailand whereas the Ford is built locally.

Ability

All three models chosen for this comparison feature four-wheel drive, which, in the lifestyle double cab bakkie segment, is high up on the list of desired features. Combined with the all-wheel drive systems, it is the Mazda that provides superior ground clearance, followed by the Triton and then the Fullback.

The Triton Xtreme may prove better off of the beaten path by virtue of its Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain tyres which are unique to this model. The Trion also features Electronic Off-Road Assistance which works in conjunction with the Super Select II 4WD system.

The BT-50 also features Hill Descent Control, Trailer Sway Mitigation and Roll Over Mitigation. The Mazda also boasts the highest braked towing capacity of the trio at 3 500kg. The Fiat features the same 3 100kg braked towing capacity as the Mitsubishi, but boasts a lower payload than its Mitsubishi sibling, coming in at 1 000kg to the Triton’s 1 030kg.

Power and performance

The Mazda appears to have a distance power and torque advantage here, provided 147 kW and 470 Nm from its five-cylinder turbodiesel engine which is paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The BT-50 is rather heavy on fuel though, with a claimed consumption figure of 9.7 L/100km, allowing for around 800km of range on a single tank.

The Triton and Fullback feature the same 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine which provides 133kW and 430 Nm of torque. The Fiat comes fitted with a 5-speed automatic gearbox while the Mitsubishi is fitted with a six-speed unit. It is the Fullback that boasts superior claimed fuel consumption of 7.8 L/100km versus the 8.3 L/100km claim in the Triton.

Specification

While the BT-50 and Fullback feature 17-inch alloy wheels, the Trion gets 18-inch items with all-terrain rubber. All feature climate control, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, electric windows all-round, leather seats, rear-view camera and outer rear ISOFIX child seat mounting points. The BT-50 does, however, feature a front electric seat and the Fullback comes with heated front seats.

Mitsubishi claims to have added R100 000 worth of extras to the Xtreme while increasing the price by R40 000. These additions include window visors, door handle covers, a fender flare kit, a black sports bar, roof rails, hydraulic tailgate drop supports, a rubberised load bin, tailgate local, a tonneau cover, and a new tow bar. Inside, the Triton also sports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a new gear knob and it comes with keyless entry/start. All three of these vehicles come very well specified, however, the Triton appears to offer the budding off-road bakkie enthusiast the most bang for their respective bucks.

Safety

Since the Triton and Fullback share many components, it is reasonable to assume that they would perform similarly in their respective crash tests. Unfortunately, the Fullback was not subjected to the ANCAP crash safety test, which is the Australian crash test safety programme. The Triton, which was test by ANCAP in 2015 received a maximum 5-Star safety rating. It is important to note that while the Triton sports 7 airbags, local Fullback models feature just 2 airbags, which will negatively affect their respective safety credentials.

Service plans

All three of the bakkies come with service plans as standard. The Triton features a 5-year/ 90 000km service plan, the Fullback a 5-year 100 000km plan and the BT-50 a 3-year/ unlimited mileage service plan.

Verdict

The three bakkies featured in this comparison all appear to offer respectable packages, however, Mitsubishi appears to have created a fantastic value proposition with the Triton Extreme, which comfortably wins this comparison thanks to its superior spec sheet and its respectable performance combined with good fuel consumption.

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