Verdict
The Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 is the far more capable workhorse on paper: RM36,451 more buys 179 hp and 430 Nm, a six-speed manual and Easy Select 4WD, against the Mk1 Facelift’s 88 hp, 196 Nm, five-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It also brings three airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control. But the older truck is RM65,529 rather than RM101,980, has four doors and five seats, and costs RM28 more a year in road tax. For a Malaysian buyer carrying a crew, its cabin layout matters more than the Mk3’s much stronger drivetrain.
Pick the Mitsubishi Triton Mk1 Facelift if you need the lower RM65,529 entry price and a four-door, five-seat pickup.
Pick the Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 if you want 430 Nm, Easy Select 4WD and modern safety equipment, and can live with two doors and two seats.
Key differences
- Price: Mitsubishi Triton Mk1 Facelift RM65,529; Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 RM101,980.
- Output: Mitsubishi Triton Mk1 Facelift 88 hp and 196 Nm; Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 179 hp and 430 Nm.
- Transmission and driveline: Mitsubishi Triton Mk1 Facelift five-speed manual and rear-wheel drive; Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 six-speed manual and all-wheel drive…
- Cabin: Mitsubishi Triton Mk1 Facelift four doors and five seats; Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 two doors and two seats.
- Safety: Mitsubishi Triton Mk1 Facelift has no listed airbags, ABS/EBD or stability control; Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 has three airbags, ABS/EBD and stability…
- Warranty: Mitsubishi Triton Mk1 Facelift gets three years/100,000 km; Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 gets five years/unlimited mileage.
Mk1 Facelift
- RM36,451 cheaper to buy.
- Four doors and five seats.
- 15-inch alloy wheels.
- 88 hp and 196 Nm trail the Mk3’s 179 hp and 430 Nm.
- Five-speed manual and rear-wheel drive versus a six-speed manual with Easy Select 4WD.
- Shorter three-year/100,000 km warranty.
Mk3
- 179 hp and 430 Nm turbodiesel.
- Easy Select 4WD, ABS/EBD and stability control.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- RM36,451 dearer than the Mk1 Facelift.
- Only two doors and two seats, against four doors and five seats.
- 16-inch steel wheels versus the Mk1 Facelift’s 15-inch alloys.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM65,529✓ | RM101,980 |
| Body type | Pickup | Pickup |
| Segment | Truck/4X4 | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM822 | RM794✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 8-valve SOHC turbodiesel | 16-valve DOHC commonrail turbodiesel, variable geometry turbo |
| Capacity | 2,477 cc | 2,442 cc |
| Horsepower | 88 hp at 4,000 rpm | 179 hp at 3,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 196 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 430 Nm at 2,250 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 91.1 mm × 95 mm | 86 mm × 105.1 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 15.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 5MT | 6MT |
| Gears | 5 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Jatco |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,220 mm | 5,320 mm |
| Width | 1,750 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,655 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,560 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Front Tyre | 235/75R15 | 265/70R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/75R15 | 265/70R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Full Size |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Spring | Leaf Springs |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Easy Select 4WD |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 4 stars — Mitsubishi L200 with 2 airbags and no stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | 3 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point, 1 lap belt | 2 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on Front Passenger Seat |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Room Lamp | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio CD Player | 2-DIN CD Radio with Bluetooth, AUX, USB |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Manual Key |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
Mk1 Facelift vs Mk3 FAQ
Is the Mitsubishi Triton Mk1 Facelift or Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 better?
The Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 is better for traction, performance and safety, with 179 hp, 430 Nm, Easy Select 4WD, three airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control. The Mk1 Facelift is the better fit only if five seats, four doors and a lower purchase price are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 costs RM36,451 more: RM101,980 versus RM65,529 for the Mitsubishi Triton Mk1 Facelift.
Which Triton is better for carrying people?
The Mitsubishi Triton Mk1 Facelift. It has four doors and five seats, while the Mitsubishi Triton Mk3 has two doors and two seats.
