Mitsubishi Montero is a long-running name in the world of sport utility vehicles, arriving in the mid-1980s with the likes of Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder.
Today’s Montero is a far cry different from the original.
Then, it was a short-wheelbase, minimalistic critter akin to an enclosed Jeep Wrangler. It was also an inexpensive, good-running truckette that gained a fair amount of popularity.
Now, Montero has grown into a midsize luxury craft more along the lines of Toyota Land Cruiser or Land Rover Discovery.
The Mitsubishi offers a full cargo of luxury and convenience gear, along with a reputation for off-highway prowess and above-average reliability. The price is still fairly moderate, though no longer what you’d call inexpensive.
A mild face lift and a more powerful engine mark the 2003 Montero, pushing it a bit higher up the luxury ladder without adding much to the bottom line.
What it is:
Montero is Mitsubishi’s flagship, a tall SUV with seating for seven, including a small, two-passenger jump seat that attaches to the cargo floor. Completely refurbished for 2001, Montero continues to impress with its broad range of standard equipment, thoughtful design and decent drivability. Though it looks like a truck, Montero uses a unibody structure like an automobile, including independent rear suspension.
Engine and transmission:
The V-6 engine has been upped in size and performance, growing to 3.8 liters from 3.5 liters, and to 215 horsepower from 200. Plus, fuel mileage is improved, no doubt due to the wonders of electronics. The engine is smooth but tends to roar when pushed. Acceleration is strong, even though Montero weighs in at a hefty 261/47 tons. Towing capacity is rated at 5,000 pounds. The five-speed automatic includes a manual shifting feature, which is handy on rocky trails and winding roads, and unusual in this class of vehicle.
The Active Trac four-wheel-drive system shifts easily through two-wheel drive, four-wheel high, and four-wheel low. Even experienced off-roaders CQ should find this sophisticated system rugged enough for most challenges.
Performance:
Rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes help tame this tall SUV, providing responsive cornering and stopping power, though basically, Montero still needs to be driven as a truck. The independent rear suspension helps smooth the ride. The SUV tends to wallow on its soft rear suspension and feels slightly tippy in turns. When this version of Montero first came out in 2000, Consumer Reports magazine tarred it as a rollover risk, which Mitsubishi heatedly disputes. All Monteros now come with an electronic skid- and traction-control system that works both off and on the highway. Among other advantages, this system helps reduce the chance of rollover. Antilock brakes are standard equipment.
Styling:
Uniquely rounded front fenders and an overall smoothing of the exterior help make Montero appear sporting and uptown. To my eyes, Montero looks a little too slick, losing some of its rugged outdoors appeal in favor of country-club style.
Interior:
Though fairly narrow, Montero has plenty of room inside, providing second-row passengers with an unusual amount of legroom. Tall drivers, on the other hand, might find legroom a bit too short. The third seat in the rear is minuscule, usable only by kids or really small adults. It also takes up most of the floor space, making cargo loading difficult. Too bad it doesn’t fold into the floor, like many of the competitors’ third seats. The center console and dashboard are nice, accessible and logical, with clear controls and gauges.
Pricing:
The lower-range XLS model tested here comes fully equipped with comfort and convenience features starting at $32,487. That’s not chicken feed, but you get a lot of luxury SUV for the money. The loaded Limited model is about $4,000 more. The test Montero was enhanced with a touring package, at $2,680, that included a huge sunroof, an excellent stereo upgrade, rear AC and heater with rear-seat controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel and power antenna. Shipping is $615.
Bottom line:
You could pay more for a luxury SUV and still not get the level of features and sophistication offered by Montero.
Mitsubishi Montero XLS
Vehicle type: Seven-passenger, four-door sport utility vehicle, two- and four-wheel drive.
Base price: $32,487.
Price as tested: $35,782.
Engine: 3.8-liter V-6, 215 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, 248 pounds-feet of torque at 3,250 rpm.
Transmission: Five-speed automatic.
Wheelbase: 109.7 inches.
Curb weight: 4,718 pounds.
Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds.
EPA mileage: 15 city, 19 highway.
Highs:
Moderate-priced luxury.
Brisk performance.
Attractive interior.
Lows:
Third-seat woes.
Too-slick styling.
Engine roar.
