Looking for a utility vehicle that performs excellently in off-road conditions? The Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara are two of your best choices. There has been a lot of buzz around these two utes, largely because of their almost indistinguishable bodywork. Placed side by side, the Triton and Navara look so similar that you may exchange one for the other, unless you peek under their bonnets.
Although the Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara interestingly have almost the same exterior, they retain their own identity by featuring distinct technology and engines. Keep reading if you want to know what sets the Triton apart from the Navara.
Design
Both the Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara have almost the same exterior styling, characterized by their identical LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, locking rear diffs, and side steps. Both cars do not come with a tub liner, although the Triton offers this feature as an optional add-on. When you take a look inside the Triton and Navara, you will find carpet floors and fabric seats, although differ when it comes to the technology that they offer. Overall, the interior of the Mitsubishi Triton is more sophisticated and ergonomic. Its panels look sturdier than those of the Nissan Navara and it has a retractable steering wheel as well.
Although the inside of the Navara seems well put together, it lacks essential elements that are present in the Mitsubishi Triton. You may find the absence of a telescopic steering wheel a major disappointment, and you may also have to sit extremely close to the wheel due to its inadequate seat-height settings. Unlike the Triton that has a telescopic and well-designed steering wheel, the design of the Navara’s steering wheel does not make any sense and might even cause you to beep when taking a turn.
Other features that you will only find in the Triton are its free alloy wheel, wipers that are capable of detecting rain, digital radio receiver, parking sensors, and dual-zone climate control. The Mitsubishi Triton also has a better kit to offer than the Navara, which offers only basic features.
Power
While the Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton look like two peas in a pod, you will realize how different they are when you take a closer look at their engines. The Nissan Navara is packed with a 2-turbo 2.3-liter engine that runs at various speeds and generates 140 kW at 3750 rpm. This SUV has a maximum towing capacity of 3.5 tons and a fuel tank with an 80-liter capacity, which isn’t bad for this segment. But if there is one thing that the Nissan Navara lacks that the Mitsubishi Triton has, it’s the 4H mode that allows you to drive it more regularly, no matter the surface.
Unlike the Navara, the Triton features a 2.4-liter turbo diesel that offers 430 Nm of torque at 2500 rpm. This SUV also makes available a six-speed manual gearbox on top of its six-speed automatic option—something that you do not get with the Nissan Navara. The best thing about the Triton is that it comes with Mtisubishi’s Super-Select II 4WD system, giving you a broader range of options when it comes to driving modes. With this mode on, you can easily drive it and place it on full throttle without any difficulty. Its engine is also quiet enough to give you a more comfortable and noiseless drive.
Safety
Both the Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara boast of the five-star ANCAP ratings they received in 2015, but over the years, Mitsubishi has equipped the Triton with more safety features that the Nissan Navara does not have. While both SUVs come with plenty of airbags, only the Triton offers an autonomous emergency braking system and other safety technology, making it rise above its competitors in its segment. Since the Navara does not offer these features, it falls far behind the Mitsubishi Triton and does not really make a great choice if you are planning to use it as a family car. The Navara’s top tether point is also not as good as that of the Triton, which you can easily access behind the headrest of its backseat.
Verdict
The Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara are known for their similar bodywork, but they are poles apart when it comes to power and safety. While the Nissan Navara is not a bad choice if you are looking for a capable SUV, it pales in comparison to the Mitsubishi Triton, which does not only feature exceptional styling but also world-class safety features.
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