2005 Mitsubishi Montero

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2005 Mitsubishi Montero
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Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
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Safety & Recalls
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Key Specs

of the 2005 Mitsubishi Montero. Base trim shown.

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Passenger room
  • Cargo space
  • Low-range gearing
  • Versatile 4WD system

The Bad

  • Difficult entry and exit
  • Maneuverability
  • Abundant size
  • Fuel economy

Notable Features of the 2005 Mitsubishi Montero

  • Standard 4WD
  • Rally-racing heritage
  • Unibody construction

2005 Mitsubishi Montero Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview
Mitsubishi's largest midsize sport utility vehicle earned a larger, more powerful 3.8-liter V-6, additional safety features and a freshened appearance for 2003. When it was redesigned two years earlier, the Montero switched from a truck-based structure to carlike unibody construction.

Attesting to their offroad prowess, Monteros have dominated recent Paris-to-Dakar rallies. Mitsubishi also produces the midsize Endeavor and compact Outlander. Mitsubishi has suffered from sluggish sales lately.

The lower-priced XLS has been discontinued, so only the Limited edition is available for 2005. A tire-pressure monitor is now standard, and new 17-inch alloy wheels are installed.

Exterior
The updates in 2003 included a restyled grille, new integrated side steps and fresh bodyside cladding. The front and rear have a rounded profile. The Montero has minimal body overhangs. Measuring 190.2 inches long overall on a 109.7-inch wheelbase, the four-door Montero is comparable in size to the Endeavor but nearly 2 inches taller to the top of its roof rails. A full-size spare tire sits on the tailgate, and a power sunroof is standard.

The Montero has a fully independent front and rear suspension, which Mitsubishi claims is a benefit for offroad travel. Illuminated running boards, flip-open third-row windows, rear privacy glass and door-mounted puddle lamps are standard. A removable toolbox includes a flashlight.

Interior
The Montero seats up to seven occupants using two front buckets...
Vehicle Overview
Mitsubishi's largest midsize sport utility vehicle earned a larger, more powerful 3.8-liter V-6, additional safety features and a freshened appearance for 2003. When it was redesigned two years earlier, the Montero switched from a truck-based structure to carlike unibody construction.

Attesting to their offroad prowess, Monteros have dominated recent Paris-to-Dakar rallies. Mitsubishi also produces the midsize Endeavor and compact Outlander. Mitsubishi has suffered from sluggish sales lately.

The lower-priced XLS has been discontinued, so only the Limited edition is available for 2005. A tire-pressure monitor is now standard, and new 17-inch alloy wheels are installed.

Exterior
The updates in 2003 included a restyled grille, new integrated side steps and fresh bodyside cladding. The front and rear have a rounded profile. The Montero has minimal body overhangs. Measuring 190.2 inches long overall on a 109.7-inch wheelbase, the four-door Montero is comparable in size to the Endeavor but nearly 2 inches taller to the top of its roof rails. A full-size spare tire sits on the tailgate, and a power sunroof is standard.

The Montero has a fully independent front and rear suspension, which Mitsubishi claims is a benefit for offroad travel. Illuminated running boards, flip-open third-row windows, rear privacy glass and door-mounted puddle lamps are standard. A removable toolbox includes a flashlight.

Interior
The Montero seats up to seven occupants using two front buckets, a folding three-person middle bench seat and a removable two-place rear seat that folds flat into the floor. Leather seating surfaces, a leather- and wood-trimmed steering wheel, woodgrain accents, heated front seats, a 14-way adjustable driver's seat, heated mirrors and six passenger-assist grips are standard. Rear air conditioning is included. The 315-watt Mitsubishi/Infinity sound system includes a six-CD changer.

A backseat DVD entertainment system is optional. Maximum cargo space totals 91.7 cubic feet, but that drops to 39.8 cubic feet when all the seats are in their upright position.

Under the Hood
The Montero's 3.8-liter V-6 produces 215 horsepower and 248 pounds-feet of torque. Operating with throttle-by-wire control, the V-6 teams with a five-speed-automatic transmission that permits manually selected gear changes. Four-wheel drive with a Low range is standard.

Safety
All-disc antilock brakes, traction control and side-impact airbags are standard.

Driving Impressions
Though it is capable for ordinary driving and built for offroad prowess, Mitsubishi's flagship SUV has an old-fashioned feeling. The Montero's excessive size and trucklike sounds won't appeal to buyers who prefer a more modern — and perhaps smaller — model.


Latest 2005 Montero Stories

See all 2005 Mitsubishi Montero articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.8
5 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.8)
Performance
(4.0)
Interior Design
(4.2)
Comfort
(4.6)
Reliability
(4.6)
Value For The Money
(4.6)

What Drivers Are Saying

(4.0)

Old school cool

by 177monty from Northeast on December 19, 2017

I always liked the rugged look of the montero. It took awhile to find a nice one but the wait was worth it. Feels cool to ride in this unique truck Read full review

(5.0)

Capable off road machine and hauls the family

by Tundraguy from Warsaw va on July 11, 2017

I bought my Montero used. It currently has 185000 miles and runs great. The interior has held up awesome no rips in the leather or broken plastics. We get over 20mpg while on trips with 7 people and ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2005 Mitsubishi Montero currently has 0 recalls

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2005 Mitsubishi Montero has not been tested.

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Montero received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker