One of Australia’s best-selling utes is about to get a tougher-looking redesign.

    The 2024 Mitsubishi Triton has been spotted testing in Thailand, with spy photos published by the Facebook account MZ Crazy Cars.

    As with previous spy images, we can see the new Triton has bluffer, boxier styling and also appears wider.

    The current Triton is one of the narrower vehicles in its segment, measuring 1815mm wide – 103mm skinnier than the Ford Ranger.

    It’s also one of the oldest vehicles in its segment, following recent redesigns of the Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50, along with the imminent Volkswagen Amarok. It debuted in 2015, though it received a substantial facelift in 2019.

    A reveal of the next-generation ute had previously been expected before the end of the current Japanese financial year, which ends in March.

    Given Mitsubishi considers ASEAN and Oceania as its key regions, expect a local launch quite soon after the reveal.

    There’s a larger grille up front with split-level headlights, while down the side there’s a prominent crease and a belt line up-kick towards the back of the rear doors.

    As part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s leader-follower model, Mitsubishi is leading development of the Triton, with the next Nissan Navara set to share underpinnings but different styling.

    Under the bonnet, the Triton will house a “next generation diesel”. There has also been a lot chatter about electrification, given Mitsubishi is leading plug-in hybrid development for the Alliance.

    Outlander chief engineer Kentaro Honda told CarExpert last year that everything is on the table at the moment for the next-generation Triton.

    “Our strategy or concept on PHEV is good for C- or D-segment SUV and perhaps for small cars,” Honda-san said.

    “But, plug-in [hybrid] EV is better for SUV or truck category, and maybe hybrid-based… The basic components [for a truck] can use both PHEV or hybrid.”

    Honda-san went on to say that Mitsubishi was currently studying which application would work best for Triton – meaning full PHEV, or a regular hybrid using similar components but with a smaller battery.

    The mooted next-gen Triton PHEV would line-up against the PHEV version of the Ranger, confirmed for launch by 2024 with a focus on Europe’s stringent CO2 caps.

    Last year, the Triton was Australia’s third best-selling ute with 27,436 sales, behind only the pricier Ranger (47,479) and Toyota HiLux (64,391) and ahead of the newer D-Max (24,336).

    MORE: Everything Mitsubishi Triton
    MORE: 2023 Mitsubishi Triton: What we know

    William Stopford

    William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.

    Buy and Lease
    Uncover exclusive deals and discounts with a VIP referral to Australia's best dealers
    Uncover exclusive deals and discounts with a VIP referral to Australia's best dealers