Mitsubishi Triton vs Nissan Navara vs Ford Ranger: here's our winner

Introduced back in 2015, the latest generation Mitsubishi Triton was designed to address the criticism levelled against its predecessor, with more palatable styling, an interior with a more premium slant and a drive quality that makes it easy to live with as a lifestyle-oriented product. The Triton has received periodic updates during its six-year stint in the market and has remained a well-specified and capable offering in this segment.

While many consider the Triton a left-field option in the local double cab scene, in markets like Australia and New Zealand, it is hot on the heels of the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max in the monthly sales charts. We will be comparing the Triton with two bakkies built right here in South Africa, the recently updated Nissan Navara and one of the segment’s best-sellers, the Ford Ranger. We will be comparing the triton with these capable rivals to determine which is best.

Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D double cab 4x4 auto

Powertrain and fuel consumption

Powering the Triton is a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 133kW and 430Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox sending the power to all four wheels. Claimed fuel consumption is the worst in the group at 8.3 L/100km as are the CO2 emissions, which are 218g/km.

Standard equipment

The Triton’s trump card has been its list of standard features which includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a multifunction steering wheel, climate control, cruise control, keyless entry/start, a colour touchscreen infotainment system with USB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, leather seats, partially electric front seats, LED headlights and a reverse camera with rear PDC.

Safety

With a 5-Star ANCAP safety score, including a score of 36.22 points from a possible 37, the Triton is incredibly safe for a bakkie.

Practicality

The Triton is the narrowest, shortest and has the smallest wheelbase of our three contenders. While it offers the best turning circle of 11.8-metres, it has the lowest braked towing capacity. With approach, breakover and departure angles of 28, 25 and 22-degrees respectively, it beats the Ranger but does not offer as much as the Navara while its ground clearance is similar to the Nissan, but less than the Ford. Like its rivals, the Triton offers roughly a 1 000kg payload.

Price and value proposition

The Triton is the cheapest bakkie in this comparison and appears to have an impressive amount of capability and specification for the money but loses out when we look at its comparatively short warranty.

The competition

Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi double cab LE 4x4 auto

The Navara was recently updated and is now built right here in South Africa. It also has the most power and torque in this comparison, with its 2.5-litre turbodiesel offering 140kW and 450Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 7-speed automatic gearbox also sending power to all four wheels. The Navara takes second place in the efficiency department.

The Navara matches the Triton in terms of standard kit but also features both lane departure warning, blind-spot monitor and automatic windscreen wipers. The Navara was tested by the ANCAP assessment programme in 2015, where it achieved a crash test score of 5-Stars, achieving 35.01 from a possible 37 points.

The Navara can tow 3 500kg, but has a worse turning circle than the Triton, while also offering the same 1 000kg payload while sitting between the Triton and Ranger in terms of dimensions. Its approach, breakover and departure angles of 32.6, 23.3 and 26.5-degrees are the best of the trio too while its ground clearance is similar to the Tritons.

Looking at the Nissan from a value perspective, it is slightly more expensive than the Triton but has slightly more specification, a more powerful engine, and the best service plan and warranty combination.

Ford Ranger 2.0SiT double cab 4x4 XLT

Like the Navara, the Ranger is also built locally and has established itself as one of the most popular double cab bakkies on the market. Despite having the smallest engine here, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel Range performs well, with 132kW and 420Nm on offer, making it incredibly similar to the Triton in terms of outputs. The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox also sending power to all four wheels.

The Ranger is nearly identical to the Triton in terms of standard kit, however, its SYNC infotainment system has built-in navigation as standard while it also has front PDC where the other two competitors do not. The Ranger was also crash-tested by ANCAP in 2015 and achieved a 5-Star safety rating, scoring an impressive 36.72 from a possible 37 points, making it the safest vehicle here.

The Ranger is the largest product here and offers the same 3 500kg towing capacity as the Navara and offers the second-best turning circle. With 25.5, 18.5 and 21.8-degrees for its approach, breakover and departure angles, the Ranger is third in this category but has the most ground clearance. In terms of specification, The Ford is the second most expensive product in the comparison but is also the most efficient and offers the second-best service plan and warranty combination.

 

Facts and figures:

	Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D double cab 4x4 auto	Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi double cab LE 4x4 auto	Ford Ranger 2.0SiT double cab 4x4 XLT
Engine size (cyl/size)	4-cyl, 2.4-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.5-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel
Power/Torque	133 kW/430 Nm	140 kW/450 Nm	132 kW/420 Nm
Ground clearance	220mm	221mm	237mm
Service plan	5 yr / 90 000km	6 yr/ 90 000km	6 yr/90 000km
Airbag count	7	7	7
Warranty	3 yr/100 000km	6 yr/150 000km	4 yr/120 000km
Fuel tank capacity	75 litres	80 litres	80 litres
Ave Consumption *	8.3 L/100 km	8.1 L/100 km	7.5 L/100 km
Driven wheels	All	All	All
Towing Capacity(braked)	3 100kg	3 500kg	3 500kg
Price	R654 995	R667 000	R682 300

* Manufacturer's claimed figures.

Pricing was all-inclusive at the time of writing but may change without prior notice.

Verdict

We have pored over the figures and the result is that we have three very competitive products, all of which deserve your attention when shopping in this segment. There can be only one winner though and that is the Nissan Navara, which appears to offer the best middle ground, offering a middling price, capability, efficiency and the best service plan and warranty.