SHARP chiseled and well-defined look of the new Montero Sport
I’m often asked which among the current crop of SUVs is my recommended choice, and my answer has always been the same: Mitsubishi’s Montero Sport.
Having driven it quite extensively off road as well on paved tarmac (plus everywhere else in between), it’s hard to find fault in it.
That’s not to say that it is perfect versus its competitors, but the icing on the cake has to be the price: at P1.998 million for the top-of-the-line GT variant, it makes both financial (as well as emotional) sense to cost-conscious buyers and SUV/off-road enthusiasts looking for a good balance of performance, practicality and cost-savings.
We take a quick look at what makes the Montero Sport an amazingly great choice:
- Packed with technology
Cars are driven by technology, and the Montero Sport comes with technology from the future.
From the impressive 4N15 MIVEC engine, the eight-speed automatic, all the safety features we’ll get to later, the LED lighting, and even down to the design, the Montero Sport represents a quantum leap in looks, presence, and technology compared to its predecessor—and its competitors.
You really get your money’s worth with the Montero Sport.
- Efficiency is the name of the game
The all-new Montero Sport uses the smallest CRDi diesel engine in this segment, the much-vaunted 4N15 Clean Diesel MIVEC engine.
Though modest in displacement at 2.4 liters, the engine pumps out 181 hp, but a very respectable 430 Newton meters of torque, channeling power to all four wheels on demand via an eight-speed automatic transmission, the only one in its segment.
The small, lightweight, low emission, and fuel-efficient engine’s output is further maximized by the transmission.
- Handsome, futuristic looks
The Dynamic Shield front fascia is a quantum leap in terms of design for the Montero Sport, something we hope to see further in all future Mitsubishis.
From the sharp, chiseled, well-defined and futuristic look to the LED headlights, the controversial tail lights, and sporty profile, the Montero Sport’s exterior is a brave new front for the brand.
- Safety is key
The Montero Sport comes with a plethora of safety aids: seven airbags, ABS-EBD brakes with emergency brake assist, blind spot warning, forward collission mitigation system, active traction and stability control, hill start assist, and Mitsubishi’s RISE body structure engineering.
SIDE view of the old Montero Sport
Five years ago, these features were only available in cars costing two to three times more. Now, these features are standard in a car you and I can easily afford.
- Improved off-road prowess
The previous generation Montero Sport was derided by 4×4 enthusiasts because of its off-road ability, or lack thereof.
The latest Mitsubishi Montero Sport has impressive off-road ability, thanks to a revised long-travel suspension that has more than enough stroke to cope with the toughest of undulations.
You also get a tall flood-fording depth of 700 mm to battle all but the tallest of flash floods.
The Super Select shift-on-the-fly 4-Wheel Drive System coupled with Mitsubishi’s Off-Road Mode Software takes its cue from premium 4×4 SUVs such as Land Rover/Range Rover, Porsche’s Cayenne, and the like.
In four-wheel drive mode, you can choose from pre-defined surface settings: Rock, Sand, Mud/Snow and Gravel/Dirt.
The brains of the off-road mode software predetermines the amount of slip, braking power and torque distribution to aid you in conquering a difficult stretch of unpaved surface.
This software makes light to medium off roading easy for beginners like you and me.
Lastly, you get hill descent control as standard on the top-spec variants, which again makes off roading fun and easy for beginners.
- The most car-like driving experience
Many of today’s typical car buyers are looking for an SUV that rides tall, but still delivers car-like driving qualities. The Montero Sport is in fact the most car-like of all the diesel SUVs in the market.
THE NEW Montero Sport (left) represents a quantum leap in looks, presence, and technology compared to its predecessor (right).
It also offers the most superb riding comfort that’s close in feel to a sporty sedan, with the least amount of NVH permeating into the cabin. That’s thanks also to the 4N15 engine’s refined demeanor, plus extensive NVH cancelling engineering.
Drive a Montero Sport for an entire day nonstop, and you’ll see what I mean.
- Simple, classy, well-laid out interior
The Montero Sport’s interior is simple, classy and well-thought out: there’s no explosion of buttons; there’s a good amount of silver accents along with a touch of wood panels to liven up what could have been a very drab grey interior; and all the controls are legibly marked.
The instrument cluster is well-lit and easy to see, and the LCD touchscreen infotainment system is intuitive to use.
In many ways, it feels like Mitsubishi’s design has matured and reached its zenith both inside and out.
The result? A very upmarket interior that will age gracefully through years of service
- Impressive driving dynamics
The first time I stepped inside a Montero Sport, I floored it immediately at the Fujigane off-road park in Shizuoka, Japan.
NOTE the controversial tail lights of the new Montero Sport.
This was a RHD unit on an off-road park with very steep ascents, very deep moguls, and very rough and rocky paths. The Montero Sport swallowed everything with ease and aplomb.
On paved surfaces, where the majority of users and buyers will be driving the Montero Sport, it was truly amazing: smooth, refined, and crucially very responsive.
The Montero Sport feels eager: it accelerates hard, has good steering feel, feedback and decent effort, is powerful, strong and has easy-to-modulate brakes.
While the suspension is firm, there’s enough compliance to make high-speed irregularities on the road bearable, even after hours upon hours behind the wheel.
- Great driving position
A great driving position might be something overrated or subjective, but in truth, there is a prescribed and scientifically proven proper driving position that leaves your arms far enough from the steering wheel to give space for movement and the deployment of the airbag, a back that’s straight and well-supported, knees that are slightly bent to prevent submarining in the event of a forward collision, and shoulders perfectly aligned with the steering wheel column’s angle to minimize fatigue on long drives.
Well, the Montero Sport’s driving position is perfect in this regard. You know that real car guys designed the Montero Sport.
The driving position gets you in the road mood, keeps you safe in an accident, and gives you the best freedom of movement to enjoy the most out of driving the Montero Sport.
- A wide spread of prices and variants
There are currently four variants: three automatics in either 4WD or 2WD guise, and a six-speed manual in 4WD.
The cheapest variant is P1.55 million, while the top of the line GT spec comes at P1.998 million.
Mitsubishi is offering huge discounts to entice buyers to step up and take the plunge into Mitsubishi ownership.
I will say it again, the Montero Sport is not without fault, but it offers the best value for money proposition, packed with safety and advanced technological features, drives very well, and is supported and distributed by one of the country’s most well-loved and respected brands with a very big and broad dealership network nationwide that offers impressive deals and discounts not just on the Montero Sport, but on all their other vehicles.
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