Mitsubishi Montero Sport - What makes it desirable

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport has been alive and well since it was first introduced back in the mid-1990s. In a world where nimble, urban-friendly crossovers are dime-a-dozen, proper body-on-frame SUVs like the Montero Sport do tend to stick out like prehistoric, lumbering dinosaurs.

However, unlike most of its soft-roader rivals in the segment, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is designed to keep going when things get really sticky -- situations that can only be escaped if you have a proper 4x4 vehicle with you -- something the Montero Sport most definitely is. Built on the same rugged platform as that of its pickup sibling - the Strada, the Montero Sport will not be bothered much if you were to suddenly run out of paved tarmac.

Technically, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport falls under the ‘midsize SUV’ segment, and in the Philippines, it competes with the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V, and the Isuzu mu-X. Spanning three generations, the latest of the breed hit the marketplace in 2015 and is currently the latest iteration of the Montero Sport in the country. It has long been one of the Japanese brand’s best-selling and crowd-favourite SUVs in the Philippines. But what makes it so desirable in the first place? Well, here are six major factors for that.

1. Exterior design

There was a time when the Mitsubishi Montero Sport was nowhere near the top, at least not when it came to its exterior design. While it certainly had an air of toughness and durability about it, it would never have won any beauty contest, that’s for sure. However, when it came to the all-new third-generation avatar, Mitsubishi scrapped their ancient design ideas in favour of their latest design philosophy.

The so-called ‘Dynamic Shield’ concept marked the Japanese automaker’s major shift in car design, and the new Montero Sport would now benefit from it. Upfront, the Montero Sport’s most distinctive styling feature comes in the form of its Dynamic Shield grille -- it’s large, bold and lends the SUV its much-needed aggression. Placed right next to the top of this grille are the Montero Sport’s ultra-sleek and stylish LED headlamps with their signature LED DRL elements, while the sculpted bumper integrates a massive air dam and a couple of fog lamps.

The clamshell bonnet leads to the Montero Sport’s high-riding but chiselled side profile. Here, you will find this SUV’s squared-off wheel arches, deep wheel wells, sharp creases along the beltline, stylish dual-tone alloy rims, fixed side steps and an aggressively-sloped rear window line. The rear styling, though, is a bit of a letdown.

While it does get stuff such as vertically-aligned tail lamps with crisp LED running lights, thick chrome bar on the tailgate and a satin silver lower-bumper trim piece -- the overall shape of this rear end is polarizing, to say the least -- one could even call it distasteful. Having said that, this new generation of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport arguably boasts the most modern and affable designs found on this model thus far.

2. Mitsubishi Montero Sport dimensions

Right at the onset, it becomes evidently clear that the Mitsubishi Montero Sport takes up more space than your average crossover when you try parking it.

Length	4,785mm
Width	1,815mm
Height	1,805mm
Wheelbase	2,800mm
Ground Clearance	218mm

3. Off-roading capabilities

Apart from its respectable ground clearance, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport also comes in tow with a maximum uphill climb angle of 45 degrees and a maximum wading depth of 700mm. On top of those, the Montero Sport is rated with a maximum approach angle of 30 degrees, ramp break-over angle of 23 degrees and a departure angle of 24.2 degrees. Further fortifying its capabilities is Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD - II (SS4 - II) four-wheel-drive system.

This brings with it a lockable rear differential that improves traction on slippery surfaces. Plus, there are also various driver-selectable off-road modes which can be selected on the fly. When you combine all these with the Montero Sport’s heavy-duty ladder-frame construction and chunky tyres, you end up with quite a capable off-road vehicle.

4. Interior space

Being a practical seven-seater family SUV, it is important that the Montero Sport provides as much room as possible. As it turns out, there really is loads of space in this cabin and across all three rows of seats. While many crossovers feel cramped and uncomfortable for adults in the last row, that’s far from the case here -- in spite of carrying all that off-road gear underneath the passenger compartment,

the Montero Sport’s third-row certainly doesn’t suffer. The first and second row, meanwhile, feels a lot more than adequate since the long wheelbase opens up plenty of knee and legroom. The seats offer enough support and are comfortable even on longer trips, which is certainly a boon.

5. Mitsubishi Montero Sport engine and transmission specifications 

In the Philippines, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is only available with one diesel engine. Depending on the trim, the Montero Sport can be equipped with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a smooth 8-speed automatic (with Sports Mode). However, do note that only the range-topping GT variant comes with a four-wheel-drive system, while the rest are only rear-wheel drive. As for the engine itself, the 2.4-litre four-cylinder mill uses technology such as dual overhead camshafts, variable geometry turbocharger and electronically-controlled variable valve timing.

Engine	2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power	179 hp at 3,500 rpm
Torque	430 Nm at 2,500 rpm
0 to 100 kmph	9 seconds
Top Speed	180 kmph

4. Features and equipment

Unlike its antiquated predecessors, the new Mitsubishi Montero Sport specs sheet is fitted with several modern features and equipment. On the fully-loaded GT variant, there are 18-inch alloy wheels, full-LED headlights, smart entry with push-button ignition, leather upholstery, tilt & telescopic adjustment for the multifunction,

leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-operated and auto-folding door mirrors, automatic dual-zone climate control with rear vents, cruise control, 6-speaker audio system, parking sensors with reversing camera, 6.75-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with GPS navigation, power sunroof, electronic parking brake, magnesium paddle shifters, power-operated front seats etc.
The Montero Sport also comes equipped with safety gear such as -

• Eight airbags
• Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control (M-ASTC)
• Ultrasonic Misaccelertion Mitigation System (UMS)
• Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) System
• Brake Override System
• Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system
• Hill Start Assist (HSA) with Hill Descent Control (HDC)
• Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)

5. Reliability

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport is one of the (if not the) most reliable cars in its class. Mitsubishi has been great when it comes to their cars’ reliability ratings for several years now, and the latest-gen Montero Sport isn’t an exception. Plus, with all that heavy-duty off-road gear and its rugged build, you don’t need to worry much about breaking anything easily.

6. Price

Compared to some of its closest competitors, here’s where the Mitsubishi Montero Sport makes another good case for itself - its price. In the Philippines, the Montero Sport price range is Php 1,560,000 to Php 2,000,000 for the entry-level and top-trim variants, respectively. On top of that, Mitsubishi Philippines is currently running an offer on the base GLX variant, with a downpayment of PhP 48,000 and a monthly EMI starting from PhP 27,405. The offer also includes zero percent interest, with EMIs lasting for 36 months (in case of a 20 percent downpayment).

Also Read:- 2020 Mitsubishi Montero Sport gets new optional visual upgrades