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Crew cabs are big business these days – big for business.
Thanks to recent advances in technology, safety and convenience, hay trucks have migrated from farms and workplaces across the country to graze suburban driveways and have become the preferred choice for adventurous modern families.
Today they’re more like an SUV with a big open trunk than the no-frills, hardcore workhorses they once were. And as a result, there are more models to choose from than ever before, from simple standard models to powerful off-road vehicles that charge through the desert.
In between there are a variety of options aimed at typical Australian families, like the two here; The KGM Musso and the Mitsubishi Triton.
So let’s take a look at them…
How much do they cost?
The KGM Musso is offered in three model levels in both regular and long-wheelbase XLV configurations, starting with the entry-level ELX, which starts at $42,500 drive-away or what we’re comparing here.
For a similar price to the full-size Musso XLV Ultimate, check out the base model GLX Mitsubishi Triton 4×4 crew cab, which costs from $51,440 plus on-roads.
In terms of features, however, the mid-range GLX-R is closer, starting at $57,240 on-road.
You could spend even more on the higher-spec GLS ($59,840 plus on-roads) or the GSR at $64,500 plus ORCs. But that might stretch the budget too much for this comparison.
What do you get?
At the moment it’s the Musso XLV Ultimate versus the Triton GLX-R, both of which come with a generous range of standard equipment including 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, air conditioning, electric windows and dual digital displays with Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone mirroring.
But for significantly less, the Musso offers significantly more. On the outside, it has brighter and more efficient LED headlights than the Triton’s halogen units, as well as integrated roof rails, rear privacy glass and a sunroof.
Inside, it also features leatherette upholstery with power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, larger 12.3-inch digital displays compared to the Triton’s 7.0-inch screen between the traditional dials in the instrument cluster, a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system.
The Triton offers several amenities over the KGM, such as an integrated satellite navigation system and a wireless phone charger. But otherwise the Musso builds on its excellent value for money offering more bang for your buck.
Are you sure?
The Mitsubishi Triton makes up a bit of ground on the safety front with some additional features like adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and two additional airbags.
It also receives the maximum safety rating of five stars from ANCAP, while the Musso has yet to be tested by the independent crash testing authority.
Nevertheless, both vehicles are equipped with a full range of advanced driver assistance systems, including:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
- Lane keeping assistant
- Monitoring driver attention
- Trailer sway control
- Blind spot detection
- Rear cross traffic warning
- Safe exit warning
- Tire pressure monitoring
- Parking sensors front and rear
- 360 degree parking display
How are they inside?
The KGM Musso is a slightly larger vehicle than the Mitsubishi Triton, with a length of 5409mm, a width of 1950mm and a wheelbase of 3210mm.
This means it offers more space in the cabin, with seating for five and additional cargo capacity in the tray.
The Musso’s interior design is also more car-like than the Triton’s utilitarian toolbox aesthetic, with large dual digital screens and comfortable and supportive heated and ventilated front seats, rare in this class.
There’s plenty of headroom for all occupants, even with the sunroof, and room for three in the back seat with rear air vents, a fold-down center armrest with cup holders and additional bottle holders in the door pockets.
The rear seat base on neither model folds up, as some other models do, to provide additional storage space for large items. However, the Musso can be equipped with a clever shelf that slides under the seat for added security.
There’s a lot to like about the Triton, too: excellent seats, high-quality materials and physical buttons for shortcuts on both the infotainment touchscreen and the climate controls below.
Plus, with the light headliner and textured seat pattern, it feels a bit brighter than the Musso’s all-black hue.
At the back, the Musso’s tray is slightly larger in both overall length and width (1600mm versus 1555mm and 1570mm versus 1545mm respectively) and noticeably deeper (570mm versus 526mm).
Both vehicles are capable of towing up to 3500kg with a braked trailer, but the Triton has a higher total payload of 1093kg compared to the Musso’s 880kg due to its car-like multi-link rear suspension with coil springs, which also brings rear disc brakes, while the Triton has dated drum brakes.
What’s under the hood?
Both vehicles follow the same philosophy when it comes to powertrains, each featuring a turbodiesel four-cylinder engine connected to an all-wheel drive transmission via a six-speed automatic transmission.
However, this oversimplifies things a bit, as each of them has unique differences and, accordingly, their own strengths and weaknesses.
The KGM Musso uses a 2.2-litre unit that produces 133kW of power and 420Nm of torque and meets the latest – and most stringent in this class – Euro 6b emissions standards, while the Triton has a larger capacity 2.4-litre engine that produces 150kW and 470Nm but is only certified to Euro 5 regulations.
Both feature four-wheel-drive transmissions with low-profile transfer cases, locking rear differentials and multi-mode drive settings that adapt the electronics to a variety of off-road driving conditions. It is important that both models are also equipped with full-size spare wheels.
Despite its larger capacity, the Triton is more fuel efficient, with a claimed average consumption of 7.7L/100km, than the Musso at 8.6L/100km. Both have a 75 liter fuel tank.
Operating costs
Mitsubishi sets the benchmark for long-term customer benefits with a 10-year factory warranty that includes roadside assistance and service at maximum prices for the entire period, provided the vehicle is properly maintained within its dealer network.
However, KGM isn’t far behind with a seven-year, unlimited mileage warranty that covers commercial use only, as well as five years of free roadside assistance and a seven-year service pricing menu.
Both the Musso and Triton require regular servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, but the KGM proves to be more cost-effective to maintain, costing an average of $462 per year, while the Triton costs an average of $600 per year over the same period.
The choice of Daily Sparkz
There are clearly advantages to choosing one of these vehicles over the other, and the better choice depends on your individual priorities.
It’s hard to ignore the Triton’s better safety features, Mitsubishi’s 10-year warranty, and its higher payload capacity if you plan to load the bed regularly or use it as a tool truck.
However, the purchase and maintenance costs are significantly higher, and it does not offer anywhere near the same level of comfort and amenities as the KGM Musso, which is undeniably one of the cheapest vehicles in its segment.
MORE: Explore the KGM Musso showroom
