2024 Mitsubishi Triton GSR v Isuzu D-Max X-Rider: Spec battle

26/06/2024

The Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux have traditionally been the top dogs when it comes to sales in the 4×4 ute segment, but the Mitsubishi Triton and Isuzu D-Max are worthy challengers.

That’s especially true when you look at higher specification examples, such as the Triton GSR and D-Max X-Rider.

Both are priced around the $60,000 mark, and get a healthy serving of the goodies offered by the respective manufacturers.

Mitsubishi Triton GSR

But which of these segment stalwarts offers the most value on paper?

Pricing

The GSR sits at the top of the Mitsubishi Triton range, commanding a price tag of $63,840 plus on-road costs.

On the other hand, the X-Rider is the middle Isuzu D-Max variant.

At $59,500 before on-road costs it’s more than $4000 cheaper than the Triton, although the flagship X-Terrain tops $70,000.

Drivetrains and efficiency

Both the Mitsubishi Triton GSR and Isuzu D-Max X-Rider are powered by turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engines.

Mitsubishi Triton

The Triton boasts an extra turbo, but the D-Max has displacement on its side. Resulting outputs fall in the favour of the Mitsubishi, which has an extra 10kW and 20Nm.

Power is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission in both cars.

Mitsubishi claims a superior fuel economy figure of 7.7L/100km.

Dimensions

The Mitsubishi Triton is the larger of these two utes, topping the D-Max for every dimension aside from ground clearance.

However, there’s very little separating the pair on paper.

Servicing and warranty

The Mitsubishi range is backed by Australia’s longest new car warranty, provided you service within the dealer network.

The 2024 Isuzu D-Max is covered by a six-year, 150,000km warranty. When you service on schedule at an Isuzu dealer, up to seven years of roadside assistance is offered.

Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, apart from a complimentary three-month service.

Safety

The Mitsubishi Triton has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing carried out in 2024.

It scored 86 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, 74 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 70 per cent for safety assist.

Standard safety equipment includes:

8 airbags incl. front-side
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian, Cyclist detection
- Junction assist
Adaptive cruise control
Blind-spot monitoring
Driver attention monitoring
Emergency lane keeping
Front, rear cross-traffic alert
Intelligent speed limiter
Lane keep assist
Multi-collision brake
Parking sensors front, rear
Trailer stability assist
Reversing camera
Tyre pressure monitoring

GLX+ and up get a surround-view camera and rear AEB.

The Isuzu D-Max was tested by ANCAP in 2020 and earned a five-star rating. It received a design change to the driver’s knee airbag and instrument panel in July 2022 and was re-tested, maintaining its five-star rating.

That rating was based on an adult occupant protection score of 86 per cent, a child occupant protection score of 89 per cent, a vulnerable road user protection score of 69 per cent and a safety assist score of 81 per cent.

Every model comes standard with the following safety features:

Eight airbags
Autonomous emergency braking
Blind-spot monitoring
Driver attention monitoring
Forward collision warning
Lane-departure warning
Lane-keep assist
Rear cross-traffic assist
Turn assist
Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
Traffic sign recognition
Driver attention assist
Reversing camera

Automatic models also add wrong-pedal acceleration warning.

LS-M Ute variants add rear parking sensors, LS-U and up add tyre pressure monitoring, and front parking sensors are reserved for the flagship X-Terrain.