Seven seats in a car usually spell disaster when it comes to a sporty driving experience; even more so if it’s a sport utility vehicle with off-road tires. Not so when it comes to Mitsubishi’s new Montero Sport GLS M/T, a car that’s fully capable to swallow seven in comfort, do the occasional off-roading but maintains its sporty pretentions on the pavement. In more ways than one, this is truly a winner and a benchmark in its class.
The Montero Sport pushes all the right buttons when it comes to aesthetics, driving performance and even equipment level. It’s being offered in no less than three variants, which all look fully-loaded inside and out—so there’s no shaming in even opting for the base model, very important for Filipinos who value appearance. Whether you’re opting for the P 1.345-million GLS 4×2 or the top-of-the-line P 1.680-million GLS SE, you’ll get the exterior chrome treatment, 17-inch alloys, complete safety equipment and pretty much the same sound system. Therefore, the only reason you’ll spring for the more expensive variants is the need for more thrust (the 4×2 does come with a smaller engine) and the need for four-wheel drive. Of course, there are minor equipment upgrades, but they’re pretty minor. Another reason, though mostly unrealized, is the need for a stick shift with your sport utility vehicle. If you desire such a combination, you’ll head straight for the P 1.470-million GLS 4×4.
Having a five-speed manual on your seven-seater may seem niche nowadays, but clearly you haven’t been outside Metro Manila. Though city folk prefer a slush box for obvious reasons (horrendous traffic), those who live outside the hustle and bustle like doing the shifting duties themselves. And compared to its compatriots, the Montero Sport has by far, the slickest and sportiest manual box. You can actually say that it’s downright sporty with excellent engagement and a forgiving clutch. What’s more, this slick gearbox is mated to a wonderfully capable 2.5-liter diesel engine that’s high on both power and refinement. Compared to the likes of the Ford Everest, the Montero Sport feels sort of anemic from standstill but when the turbo engages, it has more than enough power to mix it up with its rivals. Beyond the slight turbo lag though, there’s nothing else you can hate with the Montero Sport’s engine especially since it’s highly refined and quiet at any speed. The need to rev the engine for power does rob a bit of mileage: a not-so-stellar 8.50 km/L.
Another big advantage to the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is its stellar riding comfort and overall stability. If you have reservations about getting a pick-up based SUV because of the rough ride, you have nothing to worry about with the Montero Sport. In any given terrain, it feels comfortable. The ride is softer and suffers far less jiggles than say, the Toyota Fortuner. And despite the softer ride, there’s no inherent trade-off when it comes to handling. Though it still handles like a traditional SUV, it feels connected and stable through any sort of corner, and the brake feel is very excellent for a car equipped with rear drum brakes.
The Montero Sport’s sporty driving dynamics are matched by its youthful and dynamic interior treatment. Beige and faux wood are thrown out the window and in its place: futuristic metallic accents and two-tone black/gray interior scheme. Though the cabin plastics are generally made of the hard variety, the texturing and detailing give it a feel of sophistication and class. The instrumentation is particularly excellent with its red-lit gauges and aluminum trim. The three-spoke steering wheel, lifted directly from the Outlander/Lancer is nice to hold while the center-console multi-function meter lend that “Pajero” atmosphere. Even the seat materials are nice: they’re comfy but touch enough to withstand stains and dirt. Perhaps the only gripe you can level at the Montero Sport’s interior is the climate control which feel cheap and dated. The JVC stereo system requires a bit of a reach too, considering its placement and miniscule buttons. But you do have to applaud its complete set of inputs including USB and Apple iPod control.
If you’re the sort of family who’ll need to use all seven seats each and every time, the Montero Sport may not be the SUV for you. Despite its size, the Montero Sport is down on interior width compared to some of its rivals. This results in less shoulder room to play with. For the first two rows, this is perfectly fine—in fact you’ll like it because the experience is sportier; but for those on the third row, the experience is rather intimate because of the limited seat width and upright seat pitch. This isn’t helped that the air con vent is only located on the right side ala the pre-facelifted Fortuner. However, if the third row seats are merely used for emergencies, then you will have no problem with Montero Sport ownership. On the flipside, the smaller third row seat on the Montero Sport means it actually folds forward flatly instead of sideways. This is very useful for luggage and cargo hauling since there’s no obtrusive stuff hanging about. Mind you though, the operation isn’t a single lever affair. It involves you pushing the cushions up first and then folding the seat backs down. It’s certainly not high-tech but the resulting cargo space is exemplary.
Despite the cramped third row and some small cheap interior bits, it’s hard not to recommend the Mitsubishi Montero Sport. This is one tough car to beat because of its excellent value and refinement.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos By Ulysses Ang
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