Sometimes when the Top Gear Bakkie of the Year is announced, there is a lot of furniture moving around the room as Wynand Mostert shows his displeasure with the top pick. 

But this year the furniture was safe because Top Gear South Africa’s bakkie of the year for 2024 has gone to Mitsubishi’s Next-Gen Triton. 

Needless to say, Mostert as a Mitsubishi sales executive, does have his biased preferences but commenting on the award yesterday, he said: “This is the first award in a while that I actually agree with. It truly is a phenomenal bakkie and the feedback we have received from customers has only been good”. 

He added that the new Triton, currently available in a 2.4 litre single turbo version, generates a deceptively 135kw and 430Nm, and urged customers to feel the power for themselves. 

“By the end of next year, we expect the 2.4 litre twin turbo to be available in Namibian showrooms,” said Mostert. 

Mitsubishi’s next-gen Triton scooped the South African Top Gear Bakkie of the Year award, powered by WesBank, just two weeks after its South African launch.

These awards recognise the finest cars, brands and individuals that have shaped the regional automotive landscape in 2024. With 26 awards presented across various categories, the evening honoured vehicles that have set new benchmarks in innovation, performance, quality and value, as well as other areas that are sometimes overlooked.

 In addition to the cars, so too were the dynamic individuals and companies who have contributed to the continued success and growth of the motoring industry. 

Judges lauded the Next-Gen Triton for its compelling combination of unique styling, a roomy interior and excellent off-road ability and therefore found it to be a deserving winner of the Bakkie of the Year award. Judges were also impressed by the excellent value for money proposition which the Next-Gen Triton represents. 

Adding to this value for money offering is the fact that the pricing includes Mitsubishi’s Diamond Advantage Warranty which comprises a five-year/unlimited mileage, warranty as well as a five-year/90 000km service plan. 

Since making its global debut a year ago, the sixth generation Mitsubishi Triton has received a variety of prestigious awards including the special award at the RJC Car of the Year for 2025 run by the Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC), an iF Design Award 2024 in the product design discipline and the 2023 Good Design Award presented by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion among a host of others. 

Most recently, Mitsubishi announced that the Next-Gen Triton one-ton pick-up truck won the Design Car of the Year, awarded to cars with excellent exterior and interior design, at the 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year awards.

In awarding the Design Car of the Year, the organising committee commended Mitsubishi Motors for giving its signature 4WD a rugged yet inspiring design that encourages customers to explore a new lifestyle. The Triton was also recognised for its robust form that harmonizes with the bold Dynamic Shield front-end design, as well as its well-balanced proportions despite being a double cab.

“Internationally the all-new Triton has been an award-winner since its launch and it is great to see this trend continue in South Africa,” said Jeffrey Allison, General Manager: Marketing at Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA).

With a diverse model range, exclusive locally tailored editions, and the strongest warranty in its class, the Next-Gen Triton is ready to take on any challenge with confidence, a fact that is already being confirmed by this latest award.

“The South African bakkie market is extremely competitive and for our Next-Gen Triton to win the TopGear South Africa Bakkie of the Year is a massive achievement and hopefully a hint at the success we expect from this excellent product in South Africa,” Allison added.