Car design awards are usually given to sports cars or supercars, most of the time. But for the 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year Design Award, the winner wasn’t a fancy coupe or a convertible—it was a pickup truck! Yes, really. A group of 59 judges selected the all-new third-generation Mitsubishi Triton, making it the first pickup truck to ever win this award.
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When giving the Design Car of the Year award, the jury praised the all-new Mitsubishi Triton for its “rugged yet inspiring design that encourages customers to explore a new lifestyle.” We’re not entirely sure what the “new lifestyle” part means, but we can agree that the truck’s tough and bold “Beast Mode” design stands out.
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Although the exterior design played a big role in winning the award, the newly redesigned dashboard also made an impact. According to Mitsubishi, the Horizontal Axis dashboard concept helps drivers easily spot changes in the vehicle’s posture while driving, making it both stylish and practical.
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The all-new third-generation Mitsubishi Triton was officially launched in Malaysia this October, offering five different variants. It wouldn’t be surprising if the award went to the top-spec Athlete variant (priced at RM165,980), as it’s the most eye-catching model with its sleek blacked-out accents.
The range-topping Triton Athlete is also the most powerful, featuring a new 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine that delivers 204 hp and 470 Nm of torque. It’s paired exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission and comes equipped with the Super Select II 4WD system, which allows 4WD to stay engaged even on paved roads with good grip.
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Malaysia