NZ work-ute comparison

Isuzu D-Max vs Mitsubishi Triton: Which Diesel Ute Fits?

D-Max versus Triton is a genuinely close diesel work-ute decision. D-Max publishes the broader payload range; Triton publishes slightly higher power and torque. Grade, body and total support are more useful than one headline number.

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Isuzu D-Max case

3.0L 140kW/450Nm diesel

Mitsubishi Triton case

2.4L 150kW/470Nm bi-turbo diesel

Decision rule

Choose D-Max for its 3.0-litre diesel and strong published work-grade payload; choose Triton for its 150kW/470Nm bi-turbo diesel and Super Select II availability. Compare exact grades and completed cost.

Quick answer

The short answer

Choose Isuzu D-Max if…

Choose D-Max when published work-grade payload and the 3.0-litre diesel fit best.

Choose Mitsubishi Triton if…

Choose Triton when its extra published output, 4WD system or complete offer leads.

Neither automatically wins if…

Both reach 3.5t on suitable grades; towing alone cannot select the winner.

Available nowDiesel

Isuzu

Isuzu D-Max

$54,990 + ORC

3.0L 140kW/450Nm diesel
925–1,310kg published payload range
LX, LS and X-Terrain choices

View Isuzu D-Max →

Available nowDiesel

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Triton

Request current pricing

2.4L 150kW/470Nm bi-turbo diesel
Super Select II by grade
GLX to VRX work-and-premium ladder

View Mitsubishi Triton →

Published New Zealand comparison data
Comparison point	Isuzu D-Max	Mitsubishi Triton
NZ availability	Available now	Available now
Published price	$54,990 + ORC	Request current pricing
Verified variants	D-Max LX: Available now · D-Max LS: Available now · D-Max X-Terrain: Available now	Triton GLX: Available now · Triton GLX-Sport: Available now · Triton GLXR: Available now · Triton VRX: Available now
Powertrain	Diesel	Diesel
Body	Cab-chassis and wellside range	Cab-chassis and wellside range
Engine / system	3.0L turbo-diesel	2.4L bi-turbo diesel
Power	140kW	150kW
Torque	450Nm	470Nm
Transmission	Not published in the cited NZ source	Not published in the cited NZ source
Published economy	Not published in the cited NZ source	Not published in the cited NZ source
Payload	925–1,310kg across published wellside/cab-chassis grades	Up to 1,000kg
GVM	Not published in the cited NZ source	Not published in the cited NZ source
GCM	Not published in the cited NZ source	Not published in the cited NZ source
Towing	3,500kg braked	3,500kg braked
Cargo / tub	Not published in the cited NZ source	Not published in the cited NZ source
Driveline	2WD and 4WD choices	2WD or Super Select II 4WD by grade
Electric range	Not applicable	Not applicable
Combined range	Not applicable	Not applicable
Charging	Not applicable	Not applicable
Worksite power	Not stated	Not stated
Safety	Not published in the cited NZ source	Not published in the cited NZ source
Warranty	3 years / 100,000km standard; current eligible-vehicle offer extends to 6 years / 150,000km	5 years / 130,000km new-vehicle warranty; up to 10 years / 160,000km powertrain subject to conditions
Service / ownership	Current eligible-vehicle offer includes a 3-year service plan; verify offer timing and terms	15,000km or 12 months; authorised servicing required for Diamond Advantage extensions

Like-for-like

Realistic current grade matchups

These are shortlist starting points. Verify the exact New Zealand equipment, price and configuration before treating two grades as equivalent.

Work grade

Isuzu D-Max

D-Max LX

Mitsubishi Triton

Triton GLX

Match cab, chassis/wellside and 2WD/4WD.

Mid-grade double cab

Isuzu D-Max

D-Max LS

Mitsubishi Triton

Triton GLXR

Compare safety, 4WD system, tyres and price.

Premium double cab

Isuzu D-Max

D-Max X-Terrain

Mitsubishi Triton

Triton VRX

Equipment and support terms matter more than the range-top label.

Work-first verdict

Choose D-Max for its 3.0-litre diesel and strong published work-grade payload; choose Triton for its 150kW/470Nm bi-turbo diesel and Super Select II availability. Compare exact grades and completed cost.

Confirm before ordering

Match LX/GLX body and driveline
Compare payload after identical tray/canopy
Separate standard and conditional warranty benefits

Request offers for both →

Specifications are shared with the model pages and current vehicle finder. “Not published” is shown where the cited New Zealand source does not support one reliable model-family figure; exact grades can differ.

Research library

Keep the next decision one click away

These are normal, crawlable guide links—not filter URLs—so buyers and search engines can follow the site's real research hierarchy.

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Continue with the strongest adjacent model decisions, using crawlable canonical pages.

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Work-body payload breadth versus the new Navara double-cab range.

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Build a better shortlist

Use buying guides to define the body, duty cycle and ownership case first.

Buying guideBest Utes NZ

A work-first shortlist built around the job, not popularity.

Read guide CapabilityBest 4WD Utes

Terrain, low-range, tyres, payload and rural support.

Read guide ElectricBest Electric Utes

Current NZ availability, loaded range, charging and payload.

Read guide Decision guideUte vs Van

Choose by security, load type, towing, terrain and crew.

Read guide

Power, towing and payload

D-Max publishes 140kW/450Nm; Triton 150kW/470Nm. Both publish 3,500kg braked towing on suitable grades. D-Max cites 925–1,310kg payload across configurations; Triton states up to 1,000kg. Use exact GVM/GCM and finished mass before drawing a winner.

Work bodies and 4WD

Both offer cab-chassis and wellside work options. D-Max has 2WD and 4WD choices; Triton offers 2WD or Super Select II 4WD by grade. Builders should compare tray and canopy fit; farm users should test low-speed control, tyres and dealer reach.

High kilometres, warranty and downtime

Mitsubishi's programme records 5 years/130,000km vehicle cover with conditional longer powertrain cover. Isuzu records 3 years/100,000km standard plus a current eligible-vehicle extension. Verify service intervals, commercial-use conditions, loan vehicles and offer end dates.

Which is cheaper to buy?

A family starting price does not prove comparable value. Request LX versus GLX, LS versus GLXR or X-Terrain versus VRX offers with the same body, tow gear, tyres, servicing, finance and delivery timing.

Source discipline

Current primary sources

Specifications and prices can change. These first-party pages were checked on the dates shown; the supplying dealer's written offer remains decisive.

Isuzu Utes New Zealand D-MAX range↗Checked 11 September 2026
Isuzu Utes New Zealand warranty offer↗Checked 25 August 2026
Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand Triton range↗Checked 11 September 2026
Mitsubishi New Zealand Diamond Advantage warranty↗Checked 25 August 2026

Common questions

Isuzu D-Max vs Mitsubishi Triton NZ 2026 FAQs

Is D-Max or Triton better for towing?+

Both publish 3,500kg on suitable grades. Compare exact GCM, payload, tow-ball load, 4WD system and towing frequency.

Which has more power and torque?+

Triton's cited 2.4-litre bi-turbo publishes 150kW/470Nm versus D-Max's 140kW/450Nm. Those figures do not replace a loaded test and gearing comparison.

Which carries more payload?+

D-Max publishes up to 1,310kg across cited configurations; Triton publishes up to 1,000kg. Match the same cab/body and subtract identical fit-out.

Which grades are comparable?+

Use D-Max LX versus Triton GLX, LS versus GLXR and X-Terrain versus VRX as starting pairs, then verify current equipment.

Which has the better warranty?+

The programmes differ and include conditions. Compare Mitsubishi's standard and conditional powertrain cover with Isuzu's standard cover and time-limited eligible-vehicle offer.

Which is better for rural work?+

Test the exact 4WD grade, tyres, clearance, payload, service reach and recovery plan. The better badge cannot be decided independently of the route.

Ready for the next step?

Turn the shortlist into a clear dealer brief.

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