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Mitsubishi Montero Sport

2006-02-19T15:05:00.000-08:00

With its lean, muscular lines, Mitsubishi's Montero Sport has long been one of the best-looking SUVs. Lately, however, Mitsubishi has been working to prove that beauty is more than skin deep. Last year, the Montero Sport benefited from interior refinements and a coil-sprung rear suspension. For 2001, the body has been re-engineered for greater safety, and both available engines massaged for lower emissions with better fuel economy.
Headlining the changes, however, is a new performance-leader 3.5XS model, which combines Mitsubishi's biggest engine with a unique exterior appearance and a surprisingly moderate sticker price.

Model Lineup

If you're new to the Mitsubishi stable, don't confuse the Montero Sport with its older brother, the bigger and more radically styled Montero. The big Montero, with its 109.5-inch wheelbase, 104.6 cubic feet of passenger volume, and 5840 pound GVW starts near $32,000 and often tops $38,000 with all the options.
Our subject here is the junior-edition Montero Sport: 107.3-inch wheelbase, 93.6 cubic feet of passenger volume, and a GVW of 5000-5350 pounds. This is still no econo-SUV, however, with standard V6 power and a starting price close to $23,000.

For 2001, Montero Sport comes in a head-spinning five different trim levels, and each of these is now available in two-wheel or four-wheel drive.

ES, LS, and XLS variations are all powered by a 165-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. Even the $22,747 ES boasts a long list of luxury goodies. This model was offered only in 2WD last year, but is offered with 4WD for 2001.

Next up is the $25,627 LS, which adds rear privacy glass, more adjustments for the front seat, a 60/40 split rear seat, larger alloy wheels and, on 4WD versions only, four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS. For $27,397, you get the XLS, with color-keyed fender flares and other style enhancements, plus a security system in case the wrong sort of people notice.

Topping the line is the $31,317 Montero Sport Limited, with four-wheel-discs and ABS on 2WD as well as 4WD models, a limited-slip rear differential, plus monochromatic paint, Infinity stereo, tilt-and-slide moonroof, LCD trip computer, leather upholstery, and other ultimate-luxury equipment. Powering the Limited is Mitsubishi's top engine, a 3.5-liter V6 producing 197 horsepower.

New for 2001 is the Montero Sport 3.5XS, which combines the big engine with a slightly-better-than-LS trim level, and sells for a more reasonable $26,637. (We and others had complained about having to buy the whole farm just to get the big mill.) The 3.5XS is distinguished by unique matte-black exterior trim and comes only in Solano Black or Phoenix Red. As with all of its siblings, both two and four-wheel drive are available.

Curiously, Mitsubishi expects about 65 percent of Montero Sport buyers to select two-wheel drive. Although truck-based and fully capable of 4x4 adventure, most Montero Sports will live out their lives as hip, luxurious, suburban station wagons.

Walkaround

The Montero Sport is about the size of a Nissan Pathfinder. It sits high off the road, with more than eight inches of ground clearance, but its roof is only 65.6 inches tall, which is nearly four inches lower than a Jeep Grand Cherokee's.
Montero Sport's low roofline leads to more cramped feeling inside, but this is the trade-off for high fashion in the frenzied sport-utility market. While the average SUV-shopper ranks styling as their sixth buying priority, Montero Sport owners (according to Mitsubishi's research) list good looks as their number-two criteria. Possibly this explains why two-thirds of Montero Sports are sold with rear-drive only.

Last year, Mitsubishi updated the Montero with a new grille and tail lights and, more significantly, a new coil-spring rear suspension. For 2001, the emphasis has been on safety. Structural improvements are designed to deflect the force of an offset-front-end crash, and a new seat-belt pre-tensioner will help protect the driver from injury.

Interior Features

The Montero Sport offers more useful interior room than its small exterior dimensions might suggest. There is more cargo room with the rear seatback folded than you'll find in a Chevrolet Blazer, and just a milkcrate less than in Toyota's 4Runner or Isuzu's Rodeo. With the seatback raised for passengers, the Montero Sport has noticeably more cargo room than the Rodeo, or the Nissan Pathfinder. Passenger room in the Montero Sport is adequate, but lacks a bit in air space for stretching out of a paddling jacket.
The front seats, refined a bit last year, still hold the driver firmly. They don't feel as bucket-like as the front seats in an Explorer or Grand Cherokee, but they seem to keep the body in better control. A trip home after a weekend on the trails is relatively easy on your back, even after you've done things on your mountain bike that your chiropractor warned you not to do.

In the back seat, again, there's adequate room for three adults and, although the interior is slightly cramped for headroom, your legs will have no complaints.

The instrument panel is rather plain looking, which might be good news if you're easily distracted by clutter. Since 2000 it has been made in a pair of two-tone patterns, either tan-on-tan or gray-on-black. We prefer the darker version, since the lighter edition tends to reflect into the windshield in bright sunlight, or at night when a maplight is on.

Driving Impressions

With its big 3.5-liter V6, the Limited model is a gutsy rig. Accelerating from a standstill, it almost feels as potent as some of the bigger, V8-powered SUVs. It certainly shows no sign of strain when asked to move its 4330 pounds. And like the smaller, 3.0-liter V6, it's a smooth revver.
Montero Sport handles well on freeway ramps, and on winding roads. Its frame is fully boxed, and its long front torsion bars, beefy A-arms, and hefty rear trailing arms are unmistakably heavy-duty pieces. Really big impacts feel like, well, really big impacts, but you only feel them once and they never leave you with the feeling that you've broken something. The front suspension has adequate travel, so it will soak up uneven railroad crossings with aplomb. However, while you notice very little shake inside, there is enough side-to-side wiggling of the body to remind you that Montero Sport is not a car.

That said, the most comforting aspect of Montero Sport's ride is the lack of rattles, squeaks, and extraneous movements, which are endemic to most truck-chassis vehicles. (You'll notice them particularly if you are trading in a passenger sedan for your new sport-ute, as are so many buyers these days.) In comparison, however, the more expensive Jeep Grand Cherokee and Mercedes M-class wagons hide big bumps the best.

The antilock brakes (standard on all but ES) work well on steep hills in four-wheel-drive mode, even when low range is selected in the transfer case. It's an extra comfort for dirt drivers, who don't rely on much braking in these conditions, and instead use low range and low gears to walk down slick hills. On the pavement, the brakes feel terrific, and you can tell if you're on slippery or sticky roads by the feel of the pedal.

The low roof of the Montero Sport is an advantage in tight parking garages. We once enlisted a Chicago parking attendant to ride on the rear bumper of a big Montero, just to sag the rear end enough so the roof rack would clear the ceiling, and we could exit the underground parking lot of the Swissotel on Wacker Drive. A lower top is also beneficial when loading kayaks or mountain bikes onto the roof rack.

Summary

The sharp-looking Montero Sport is not as accessible to budget-SUV shoppers as the Jeep Cherokee or Nissan Xterra; yet it is priced below the larger, more-popular Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee, while offering similar performance. In overall ride and refinement the Montero Sport feels more luxurious than Explorer, which adds to the Mitsubishi's value.

Model Line Overview

Model lineup: 2WD: ES ($22,747); LS ($25,627); 3.5XS ($26,637); XLS ($27,397); LTD ($31,317);4WD: ES ($24,947); LS ($27,657); 3.5XS ($28,667); XLS ($29,307), LTD ($32,777)
Engines: 3.5-liter sohc 24-valve V6
Transmissions: 4-speed automatic
Safety equipment (standard): dual airbags standard; ABS optional
Safety equipment (optional): N/A
Basic warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled in: Oye, Japan

Specifications as Tested

Model tested (MSRP): Montero Sport Limited 4WD ($32,777)
Standard equipment: (Limited 4WD) air conditioning, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, limited-slip rear differential, machine-finish alloy wheels, rear-window wiper and washer, power locks, power driver's seat, leather seating surfaces, remote keyless entry, security system, power mirrors, cruise control, power windows, fog lights, trip computer, split rear seatback, wood-and-leather steering wheel, Infinity AM/FM/CD stereo, tow hooks, side steps, skid plates for transfer case, engine, and fuel tank
Options as tested (MSRP): N/A
Destination charge: 520
Gas guzzler tax: N/A
Price as tested (MSRP): $33297
Layout: front-engine, four-wheel drive
Engine: 165-hp 3.0-liter sohc 24-valve V6; 197-hp 3.5-liter sohc 24-valve V6
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 197 @ 5000
Torque (lb.-ft @ rpm): 223 @ 3500
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy (mpg): 16/20
Wheelbase (in.): 107.3
Length/width/height (in.): 181.1/69.9/68.3
Track, f/r (in.): 57.7/58.3
Turning circle (ft.): 38.7
Seating capacity: 5
Head/hip/leg room, f (in.): 37.6/53.1/42.8
Head/hip/leg room, m (in.): N/A
Head/hip/leg room, r (in.): 37.3/50.8/33.5
Cargo volume (cu. ft.): 79.3
Payload: N/A
Towing capacity (lbs.): 5000
Suspension, f: Independent
Suspension, r: live axle
Ground clearance (in.): 8.7
Cub weight (lbs.): 4330
Tires: P255/70R16
Fuel capacity (gal.): 19.5

2004 Montero Sport

2006-02-19T15:02:00.000-08:00

Rugged, refined and ready for adventure, the affordable 2004 Montero Sport has a great deal to offer. For starters, it’s a true SUV by nature. Bred from "real world" testing done on the relentless Dakar Rally course, Montero Sport is more than capable of bringing you the off-road performance you crave. Its rugged, utilitarian attributes are up for any type of adventure: a weekend on the slopes or an evening on the town. Montero Sport is ready and willing to get you there and get you noticed. And now both models come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine to
add more power into the equation. Plus, Montero Sport’s available
All-4-Wheel Drive™ system gives you the sure-footed, reliable traction you’ll need, making Montero Sport much more nimble when you’re driving in harsh conditions such as rain, snow and mud.

The 2004 Montero Sport comes loaded with standard features - like power windows, door locks and mirrors; air conditioning, 4-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and a 140-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with 6 speakers - that make Montero Sport an outstanding overall value. The 2004 Montero Sport: Conquer the road less traveled.

Mitsubishi Galant

2006-02-19T14:58:00.000-08:00

The big news from Mitsubishi is an all-new mid-size Galant, bigger in every dimension than its predecessor. It’s also more powerful, thanks to a 160-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 230-hp, 3.8-liter V-6, both of which come mated to a four-speed automatic. The Lancer lineup gets fresh front and rear styling, a five-door wagon, and a couple of fresh faces—the 162-hp Ralliart sedan and Sportback wagon. Rumors of a lightweight, stripped-down version of the Lancer Evolution have been swirling, and the car could make it stateside early next year. The immortal Diamante rolls on with a new front fascia and grille.

The Endeavor, Mitsu’s mid-size SUV that shares the new Galant’s platform and V-6 and four-speed powertrain, features a four-wheel independent suspension and available full-time four-wheel drive. The compact Outlander gets a power boost courtesy of a 160-hp, 2.4-liter engine. The Montero Sport drops its 3.0-liter V-6 and two trim levels, replaced by a 3.5-liter V-6 in LS and XLS trim.

Unchanged: Eclipse, Eclipse spyder, Montero.

MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT

2006-02-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

MITSUBISHI MONTERO SPORT
About all the body-on-frame Montero Sport has in common with the more upscale unibody Montero is a 197-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which powers the top-of-the-line XLS and Limited models (the ES and mid-level LS use a 165-hp, 3.0-liter V-6). The Sport comes with rear- or four-wheel drive, and all models have a four-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive versions have a full-time all-wheel-drive system that was introduced last year, replacing a manually shifted part-time system. For 2003 the roofline is lifted to create more headroom, the standard audio system is boosted to 140 watts, and, in a real marketing coup, the New Zealand Green exterior is replaced by Amazon Green. The Sport’s styling appeals to us and we like its off-road ability, but the ride is a bit bouncy and the steering is on the sloppy side. Still, it’s a good buy in the competitive SUV market.

SUV 2006 Montero

2006-02-19T14:49:00.000-08:00

It's not often that an SUV can be all things to all people. But that's exactly what you get with the 2006 Montero. The Montero is a bona-fide off-road legend. Specially prepared versions have won the grueling Dakar Rally for the last five years running. Success like that doesn't come easy. It comes from pure capability. And Montero has it in spades, with the technology to master any terrain. Its Active Trac® drive system gives you the traction to conquer any situation. In the event that traction is compromised, Mitsubishi Active Skid and Traction Control System (M-ASTC) controls engine speed while modulating the brake system to seamlessly restore traction and peace of mind. What's more, the Montero's five-speed Sportronic® transmission with adaptive shift control and clutchless manual shift mode gives you the best of both worlds. Smooth, electronically controlled automatic shifts when you want a more hands-off approach, or quick sequential manual shifting when you need more control. Active safety. Born in competition and proven in the real world.

But Montero is more than the sum of its capabilities. It offers these capabilities paired with all of the luxury flourishes SUV buyers expect and then some. As the first SUV to offer a disappearing third-row seat, this workhorse can seat seven adults in high style. And the extensive list of standard features means that there is more than enough luxury to go around. From boulders to boulevard, Montero can handle anything that gets thrown its way. All things to all people. It's a pretty good thing to be.

Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

2006-02-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

It’s been a while since I’ve driven a death car. My mind casts back to tail-happy 911’s, centrifugal Corvettes, terrifying TVR’s and flaming Ferraris. These days, very few car companies build cars that seduce you into serious speed, then blow up, fall apart, flip over and/or throw you into a solid object. I reckon I’ve survived enough motorized mayhem to know a death machine when I Ford GT one. So I was a little surprised when I turned at a four-way intersection, squeezed the gas and nearly drove the new Mitsubishi Eclipse GT into a parked car.

Torque steer. It’s that squirrelly squirming sensation that tells you that a front-wheel-drive car’s driven wheels are desperately scrabbling for grip. The Mitsubishi Eclipse GT is a torque steer poster child. Feed the Eclipse's 263hp engine some major revs and mid-course corrections are instantly out of the question-- and that’s WITH traction control. All you can do is saw away at the steering wheel, back off the gas and wait for the tires to grab enough tarmac to return you to normal programming.

It’s the wheels in the front that drive you crazy

The Eclipse’s tendency to lose traction at the front end is not quite as bad as hydroplaning, but only because it doesn’t last as long. And it’s true: you can avoid the problem by babying the gas pedal. But here’s the problem: an enthusiast can no more resist giving the Eclipse GT’s go pedal a proper pasting than they can avoid thumbing through sleazy car mags at a drug store.

Equipped with "Mitsubishi Innovative Variable timing and lift Electronic Control" (MIVEC), the Eclipse’s 3.8-liter V6 powerplant pours on the power from the basement to the penthouse. At the same time, the GT’s coffee-can exhaust emits a mid-range zizz that hardens into a determined wail as you enter MIVEC-ian hyperspace. The Eclipse GT’s six has so much sonic character that you blip the throttle for the Hell of it, lower the windows before entering tunnels and hold onto gear changes just because you can.

We like big butts and we can not lie…

You see my problem? The Eclipse's engine constantly begs for a bloody good thrashing. It gets worse. Floor the free-revving GT in second gear, or third. Once again, the steering wheel torques back. At that point, you’re going at least 50mph-- which is more than fast enough to make the sudden loss of directional stability a life-threatening experience. If you happen to be cornering at the time, it’s worse squared. The Eclipse GT has both an incurable understeer addiction AND a weight problem. When this sucker starts a nose-first slide towards the scenery, well, it's gonna be a while before helm control is yours for the taking. Did I mention that the GT feels a bit skittish at highway speeds?

In short, the Mitsubishi Eclipse GT is the kind of car Prince Charles would have bought his ex-wife if she’d survived her Parisian jaunt that fateful August morning.

Welcome inside Mitsubishi's orange soda. Plenty of fizz in here.

Mind you, the Eclipse would have been a far more a stylish way to go than Dodi's S-Class sedan. Mitsubishi's swoopy coupe is a glorious gallimaufry of design cues: a hint of Nissan 350Z, a touch of Lexus SC430, a dash of Audi TT, a reminiscence of Pontiac Grand Am. Put it all together and what have you got? God knows, but it ain’t dull. The Eclipse GT’s furiously funky shape is adorned with wikkid details, from a windshield so severely raked it could almost double as a coffee table, to a drilled aluminum gas cap (Audi again). Clock that wasp waist, bodacious butt, blistered arches and jewel-effect lenses. These Mitsubishi guys are sick.

The Eclipse’s interior is also a stylish step up from generic Japanese. Little details entrance: baseball glove stitching on the shift knob, body-hugging racing seats, sculpted metal door pulls. The GT’s [optional] nine-speaker, 650-watt Rockford Fosgate stereo-- complete with trunk-mounted 10" subwoofer-- tells you all you need to know about Mitsubishi’s ability to tune in to the youth market. Now, will someone please tell carmakers that a digital display needn't look a digital watch?

And while you’re at it, who’s going to convince Mitsubishi to give the Eclipse GT all-wheel-drive? The company steadfastly maintains that the market doesn’t want it. They report that just 3% of consumers who bought the last gen Eclipse signed-up for power to all four corners. And? Need we raise the thorny issue of mortality rates, lawsuits and the like? Or should we stick with the carrot, and point out that the GT is only a viscous coupling away from greatness?

I’m serious. If Mitsubishi could tame the Eclipse’s torque steer, the car’s fresh design, cracking engine, silken six speed gearbox, robust chassis, superb brakes and entirely reasonable sticker price would make it one of the best sports coupes of our time. As it is, the Eclipse scares me to death.