I have now owned my triton for just over a year, so I believe I can give some sound thoughts on what it is like to live with on a day to day basis.
To begin with, lets start with the Triton's biggest seller, the price.
I paid about $32,000 for my 2017 GLX (yes I had some optional extras thrown on, but nothing to blow a price out). It the great words of James May, "I could buy the car, loose it and buy another one for less". He obviously wasnt talking about a Triton, but I feel it has the same meaning when comparing it to a Hilux or a Ranger.
The price is what drew me into the Triton, but once I was inside, I was pleasently impressed.
I am by no means a big man (5ft 5" with work boots and an 80's hair cut) but I found the cabin to be roomy and comfortable.
I am a strong believer that the interior of the car needs to make you feel good. You need to be comfortable and happy to be there. Lets face it, sitting on Victoria Road for 90 minutes a day in peak hour traffic, who cars what the car looks like, if the seats are comfy and the seating position is just right, thats all you need.
The steering wheel has all the standard buttons and controls clearly marked. The touch screen display on the GLX could definitely do with some refinement, however, comparing to the base model Hilux & Ranger, it is far superior. With the automatic connectivity of bluetooth and continuation of where you left off a big liking of mine.
As per all modern cars, maufacturers are pushing hard with this voice activated controls. As per every other maunfacturer...this one is rubbish. Ive tried it a few times now but never successfully achieved any calls with it. I think companys would be better off paying for the royalties to a company like google or Apple and tagging onto their Siri or Google voice. It is a far better product and saves them the headache of forever installing rubbish systems.
Since owning the car we have clocked up about 30xxxkms of everything from Sydney CBD driving, to rock crawling through national parks to camp.
The car has never let us down once. It has never skipped a beat or felt under powered, even following Landcruisers on the beach. Servicing prices have been standard and consistant, with nothing serious jumping out at us just yet. I tow every now and then but do have a full load of soil or gear in the tub regularly and the Triton takes it on with no worries.
The Triton really comes into its element once loaded.
It is definetley no power house. The 2.4L TD does try hard but getting it off the line can be a slow and argues task, loaded or unloaded.
The rind can be a little bumpy and stiff, but that is expected from a duel cab ute these days, unless you go for the Navara with the coil rear.
With ample room behind the rear seats for equitpment and a large enough back seat for a baby seat or regular sized adault, unlike me, it is a hard car to walk past.
The interior vinal flooring is an absolute godsend when it comes to cleaning afer a trip away or the dog gets sick.
The looks arent the best but if that is important for you, maybe a new career is what you need, not a work horse.
If you plan on modifying the car yourself then I would stick with the base model and put your own bells and whistles on it. If I had my time again I would probably pay that little bit extra for the GLS Black and get a few more creature comforts.
After having the car for a year, if budget was no issue I would still be hard pressed to walk past the triton over another duel cab ute.