The butch looks of this new Triton was enough to see Mitsubishi scoop up this award for the second year running.
It looks as if the butch new design of Mitsubishi’s latest Triton has gone down a storm with those in its home market, as this pickup truck recently was awarded the Design Car of the Year at the 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year awards. This is incidentally to be second time that the tri-diamond has received this particular award in as many years, as last year’s prize was scooped up by its Delica Mini super height-wagon kei-car.
A departure from its previously rather curvaceous overall look, this latest Triton has instead decided to go down the boxy road that harks back to an older era of pickup trucks. Mitsubishi has highlighted that this particular look created here is to be based upon its new “Beast Mode” design concept, with the organising committee commending the tri-diamond mark for ‘giving its signature 4WD a rugged yet inspiring design that encourages customers to explore a new lifestyle.’
Among the design highlights on the exterior of Triton includes the automaker’s latest iteration of the Dynamic Shield front fascia, where the rectangular grille and a trio of L-shaped LED lights is supposedly to give the impression of a hawk gazing at its prey. Its profile meanwhile is headlined by prominent fenders that is there to provide a sense of width as well as stability and toughness, with its rump finally finished off by a set of T-shaped taillights on both sides (and a subtle spoiler atop) of a damped tailgate.
Inside, the instrument panel has been designed with the Horizontal Axis concept that apparently allows drivers to easily notice changes in the vehicle’s posture while driving. Mitsubishi is also keen to highlight that with a nod to professional use, soft pads have been incorporated in key areas to protect passengers, while geometric shapes and metallic elements create a high-contrast, modern space.
Developed under the product concept of “Power for Adventure,” the all-new Triton features a complete overhaul of everything from the interior and exterior design to the chassis, ladder frame, and engine. It was first launched in Thailand – where its production plant is located – in July 2023 and introduced in Japan in February 2024, before eventually landing locally just two months prior.
There are currently 5 variants of the Mitsubishi Triton available in Malaysia:
- Triton Single Cab – RM101,980
- Triton MT – RM114,980
- Triton AT GL – RM116,980
- Triton AT Premium – RM145,980
- Triton Athlete – RM165,980
The Triton is a pickup with a lineage that could be traced to the Mitsubishi Forte, originally released in 1978. Since then, about 5.7 million units have been produced over five generations and sold in approximately 150 countries around the world.
