Head to Head: Mitsubishi Strada vs Maxus T60

If you are in the market to buy a brand new pickup truck there aren’t many options out there. You have the typical offerings from the well-established players and even new entries looking to shake up the segment. That being said, we compare a veteran of the segment in the form of the Mitsubishi Strada and its model lineup versus the kid on the block the Maxus T60 with all of its locally available variants to find out which one will come out on top.

Taking a look at what each pickup truck has to offer in terms of exterior equipment, the spec sheet reveals that they are both similarly equipped. Both the Maxus T60 and the Mitsubishi Strada come with LED headlights and daytime running lights for their respective higher-tier models. Lower models get halogen headlights instead for both pickup trucks. While sizes between the two are about the same as both can be had with 17-inch alloy wheels, however, the Strada comes with an 18-inch wheel option for its top-of-the-line model.

Where the two vehicles differ from one another is when it comes to their cargo capacities. The Mitsubishi Strada has a carrying capacity of 945kg, while its Maxus rival can carry between 1,010 to 1,040 depending on the model. In terms of bed sizes the T60 comes out on top as it comes with a bed that measures 1485 mm long, 1,510 mm wide, and 530 mm tall. The Strada, on the other hand, has a bed that measures, 1,442mm long 1,690 mm wide, and 482 mm tall. In terms of dimensions and cargo hauling usability, the Maxus has the advantage.

Since a pickup truck has to be able to carry cargo and heavy loads, the win for this category goes to the Maxus T60. It has a much bigger bed and has a larger cargo carrying capacity thus giving it the win for this category. Though we’ll leave the looks bit as a tie, either you like the Strada or you don’t, and it’s either you’re okay with the Maxus, or you’re not. 

Winner: Maxus T60

When it comes to the interior of both pickup trucks there is a bit of a small divide between the both of them. The Maxus T60 goes for a more utilitarian look and feel, but still manages to be comfortable. The Mitsubishi Strada, on the other hand, comes with a bit more of a premium interior with soft-touch materials present in the cabin. Leather and fabric seats are both available for either pickup truck depending on their variants, and power-adjustability for the driver’s seat can also be had for the higher tier models. The T60 comes with 6-way power adjustability, while the Strada comes with eight. This already puts a point in the Mitsubishi pickup truck’s favor.

On the infotainment side of things, the Maxus T60 can be had with either a 10- or 7-inch infotainment system that has Apple CarPlaty and MirrorLink connectivity. Over in the Mitsubishi Strada, it comes equipped with a 2-DIN infotainment system that unfortunately does not come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. With all things considered, the Maxus T60 and Mitsubishi Strada are pretty much similar when it comes to their interior technology. While the Mitsubishi pickup truck does come with Bluetooth connectivity, having Apple CarPlay gives the Maxus an advantage. The screen resolution might not be the best for the T60, but it’s still great to have large a display that you can see at a glance.

That said for this category we award it as a tie as both vehicles are relatively on the same playing field. It all boils down to design and comfort preference if you want it to be a deciding factor between the two.

Winner: Tie

In terms of safety equipment, the lower variants of both pickup trucks come equally matched. When it comes to the middle to higher-tier variants, however, the Mitsubishi Strada has the clear edge as it comes with more safety equipment straight from the showroom floor.

As far as safety technology and equipment is concerned, the Maxus T60 has driver and front passenger airbags, ABS with EBD, a tire pressure monitoring system, reverse camera and sensors, plus an engine immobilizer. This puts the Maxus pickup on par with the standard equipment available in its segment.

Its rival the Mitsubishi Strada, on the other hand, comes with more equipment. For its highest trim level, it comes equipped with 7 SRS airbags, a reverse camera, blind-spot warning system, lane change assist, ultrasonic misacceleration system, ABS with EBD,  Mitsubishi active stability, and traction control, and a forward collision mitigation system.

With that much safety technology, the clear winner for this category is the Mitsubishi Strada. While the Maxus T60 meets the industry standards for safety features, its Japanese rival takes it a notch further.

Winner: Mitsubishi Strada

When it comes to pricing, there is a clear difference between the two pickup trucks. The Mitsubishi Strada, without considerations for its cab and chassis model comes out as the more expensive vehicle. The Maxus T60, on the other hand, is the more affordable model between the two. In terms of its lineup as well the T60 presents itself as a better value for money option solely based on its pricing. This is where the Maxus pickup truck has an edge over its Japanese rival as it undercuts it for certain categories.

The Maxus T60, while matching the Strada in terms of its entry-level comes out as the more affordable vehicle. Despite it losing in terms of specifications to the entry-level 4x4 Strada GL in terms of drivetrain, it does make up for it elsewhere in its lineup as being the cheaper vehicle in terms of pricing for its specifications. With that in mind, we award the win for this category to the Maxus T60

Winner: Maxus T60

Under the hood, the two pickup truck options are vastly different from one another. The T60 is powered by a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine that produces 148hp and 360 Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission. The Mitsubishi Strada, on the other hand, is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel motor that pushes out 179hp and 430 Nm of torque. Its engine is mated to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.

On paper the Strada is down in terms of engine displacement, however, the pickup truck is able to make more power from a smaller motor. The argument can be made that a 2.8-liter powerplant from the T60 will be less stressed in the long run, but if you want a more powerful vehicle then the Mitsubishi is your best bet. With that in mind, we award the win to the Mitsubishi Strada as it produces more power and from a much smaller engine.

Winner Mitsubishi Strada

Both the Mitsubishi Strada and the Maxus T60 are great pickup trucks to get in their own right. The Maxus pickup truck presents itself as an affordable option for those looking to get a 4x4 automatic vehicle that just works with no muss and fuss about it. Even in its 4x2 variant, the T60 is still a great option to consider if you want a dependable workhorse that you know will take a beating but still keep on kicking.

The Mitsubishi Strada, on the other hand, is a better balance between work and play especially in its Athlete trim. That being said it does pack more power under the hood but comes a little bit under-specced when it comes to its cargo volume and cargo capacity compared to the rest of the competition. Regardless, the Strada does have a 4x4 MT model that many of those looking for a work-oriented pickup truck will surely appreciate. 

With that said, the overall win goes to the Mitsubishi Strada, as it comes with more power, a wider spread of variants ready to meet almost any budget, and more safety features available. This doesn’t take anything away from the Maxus T60 as it is still a vehicle worthy of consideration for your pickup truck shortlist.