Hyundai Elantra vs Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

Hyundai Elantra Discontinued model
Hyundai Elantra in South Africa

Hyundai Elantra

1.5 IVT Fluid Petrol Discontinued model
ZAR 492,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 85 kW 🔧 143 Nm ⛽ 17.5 km/l
VS
Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab in South Africa

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab

2.4L 4x2 GL M/T Diesel 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 499,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 81 kW 🔧 200 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Hyundai Elantra vs Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab: the short answer

Elantra holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Triton Single Cab.

Recorded price context Elantra: last listed from ZAR 448,900 · Triton Single Cab: current from ZAR 499,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Elantra Triton Single Cab
Maximum Power Elantra85 kW @ 6300 rpm Triton Single Cab81 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque Elantra143 Nm @ 4500 rpm Triton Single Cab200 Nm @ 1000-3750 rpm
Engine Size Elantra1497 cc Triton Single Cab2442 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Elantra17.5 km/l Triton Single Cab12.5 km/l
Ground Clearance Elantra130 mm Triton Single Cab200 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Hyundai Elantra

1.5 IVT Fluid

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab

2.4L 4x2 GL M/T

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Elantra

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency

Triton Single Cab

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Elantra

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Triton Single Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec Elantra Triton Single Cab
Model Introduced Year 1990 2024
Generation Seventh generation Elantra on Hyundai's K3 platform; bold parametric design language marks a clear break from the conservative sixth gen Sixth-generation Triton
Facelift History Seventh generation launched globally in 2020 and brought to SA; significant leap in styling and interior quality over the previous generation Next-Gen Triton launched in South Africa in November 2024.
Facelift Launched Since 2020 Current specification
Body Style Sedan Single-cab pickup
Production Status discontinued active
Segment Sedan One-ton single-cab pickup
Tare Mass Kg 1355 kg -
Vehicle Type Sedan Light commercial vehicle
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Model Year Not confirmed 2026
Spec Elantra Triton Single Cab
Length 4680 mm 5320 mm
Width 1825 mm 1865 mm
Height 1415 mm 1700 mm
Wheelbase 2720 mm 3130 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 130 mm 200 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 185 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 47 l 75 l
Boot/Cargo Space 473 l 1904 l
Kerb Weight 1355 kg 1625 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1860 kg 2570 kg
Payload Capacity 505 kg 945 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 0 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 2 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 1 rows
Doors 4 doors 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius Not Officially Disclosed 6.35 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 1007 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed Not Applicable
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1059 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This Elantra and Triton Single Cab comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Elantra 36 vs Triton Single Cab 34.

Efficiency index: Elantra 67 vs Triton Single Cab 49.

Safety-equipment index: Elantra 84 vs Triton Single Cab 32.

Practicality index: Elantra 61 vs Triton Single Cab 72.

Ownership-cover index: Elantra 65 vs Triton Single Cab not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Elantra leads by 16 points

Elantra holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Triton Single Cab.

Evidence leader 62 /100
Lead 16 points
Data 93% source coverage
62
#1 Evidence leader

Elantra

93% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 36
Performance 36
Efficiency 67
Safety 84
Practicality 61
Ownership 65
Leads by 16 points
46
#2

Triton Single Cab

79% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 72 Check Safety 32
Performance 34
Efficiency 49
Safety 32
Practicality 72
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Elantra +2 Efficiency Elantra +18 Safety Elantra +52 Practicality Triton Single Cab +11

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Elantra

Performance 36/100
Efficiency 67/100
Safety 84/100
Practicality 61/100
Ownership 65/100

Triton Single Cab

Performance 34/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 32/100
Practicality 72/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai Elantra leads the specification evidence index with 62 pts vs 46 pts for Triton Single Cab

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Elantra leads. However, Triton Single Cab may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Elantra vs Triton Single Cab questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.