Sixth generation Mitsi ute gets five stars, mainly praise.

THE latest Japanese one-tonne utility to land here has become the first dual cab to achieve a top score from the nationally-accredited crash test agency’s fresh, more stringent testing criteria.

The Mitsubishi Triton’s five star result from the NZ Government (and agencies)-funded Australasian New Car Assessment Programme applies to all rear and all-wheel-drive doublecab versions on sale here and in Australia.

The sixth-generation model, which is now releasing nationally, scored highly in ANCAP’s physical crash tests and recorded strong results for both front passages and child dummies in the second row.

ANCAP applauded Mitsubishi’s “considered approach” to the new model’s exterior design which helped it perform well in pedestrian impact tests.

However, it also noted that while the Triton’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system can detect and respond to other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclist and motorcyclists, it doesn’t have the capability of more advanced AEB systems to avoid a crash at a T-bone intersection or a head-on collision.

ANCAP gave the Triton an adult occupant protection rating of 86 percent and noted that maximum scores were given for the passenger in the front offset test and the driver in the full width frontal and oblique side pole tests. Child occupant protection was even higher, at 89 percent. Top marks were given for both child dummies in the frontal and side impact tests.

ANCAP did deliver a weak chest score for rear passengers however, and noted there was room for improvement in how the Triton protects the chest and upper legs of children sitting in the back.Child seats can also only be anchored to the Triton’s outboard positions as the centre seat doesn’t have a top tether point.