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New Car Test Drive - 1995 Mitsubishi Montero
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| Updated |
Jul 7, 2004 20:22:55 |
| Rating |
 119 ( 2 +1.68% ) | | Author | Ray Thursby |
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Description:
Big truck is fun for a big price
If you were to pick one word to describe the Montero, a good choice might be imposing. From its muscular presence on the road to the way it’s packaged, the Montero stands out from the rest of the compact sport/utility crowd, both figuratively and literally.
Imposing isn’t a bad thing for a sport/utility to be, and the Montero is rolling proof.
Being one of the largest vehicles in its class gives it some distinct advantages in terms of passenger and load space. Being more powerful than most competitors certainly doesn’t hurt driveability. And the comfort and convenience features Mitsubishi supplies with every Montero give buyers fair deal for the money.
Walkaround
The Montero was totally redesigned in 1992, the last year received substantial interior improvements, including a standard driver’s airbag. This year, the base LS Montero receives a new, more powerful engine, while the top-of-the-line SR is unchanged.
It seems surprising that the company would go to such lengths to maintain and improve the appeal of a vehicle that sells at a rate of fewer than 10,000 units per year in the United States. But the factors that keep Montero sales low have more to do with import quotas and a small dealer network than with the vehicle itself. Mitsubishi’s big bopper offers a lot to serious sport /utility buyers.
Although aerodynamic designÂľ
sloping noses, sculptured sides and sharply raked windshieldsÂľ
has spread to the sport/utility class, it has hardly affected the Montero. Mitsubishi carried on with a traditional upright piano look in designing the latest Montero. From bluff front to slab sides the Montero resists contemporary style trendsÂľ
a successful resistance in our opinion.
There are practical aspects to this choice. The long wheelbase makes room for wider doors, to the benefit of entry and exit as well as riding comfort. And the Montero’s high ground clearance (7.5 in. for the LS, 7.1 in. for the SR) is good for travel over bad roads, or no roads.
The Inside Story
The Montero’s high stance does make climbing in and out something of a chore. But once inside, passengers will find themselves in an attractive and well-appointed interior. There’s comfortable seating for five in front-bucket and center-bench seats, with leg- and headroom to spare. Two additional passengers can be carried in a rear-facing third seat, though this is suitable for short trips only. There are 3-point seat belts for each seating position.
Cargo space is generousÂľ
there’s almost 45 cu. ft. behind the center seat, a capacity that more than doubles when center and rear seats are folded flat. The rear door provides good access to this space, though the Montero’s ground clearance contributes to a higher-than-normal heave.
The dashboard carries major controls and instruments directly ahead of the driver, with an exceptional collection of subsidiary readouts in a central pod.
If there is any fault to find in the Montero’s design, it is in the cabin’s minor details. Between sound system, air conditioning, automatic transmission (when supplied) and 4-wheel-drive controls, there are a lot of buttons, knobs and levers for the driver to deal with, and their placement seems a little haphazard. There’s always a period of adjustment for a driver in an unfamiliar vehicle; it takes a little longer in a Montero.
The base Montero LS is pricey, but a pretty good value because of its comprehensive complement of standard equipmentÂľ
power windows, mirrors and locks; cruise control; and chassis skid plates for off-road underbody protection are all baked into the basic retail price. And the LS is even more attractive for 1995, thanks to a new engine.
Ride & Drive
Our test vehicle’s dual overhead-camV6 was more powerful than last year’s single overhead-cam version (214 hp vs. 151 hp) and offered noticeable gains in both response and smoothness. This engine is also the only Montero choice for buyers who want a 5-speed manual transmission.
Prospective LS buyers can add important options to their vehicles, such as anti-lock brakes, 4-speed automatic transmission and a power sunroof. Or, like us, they can simply choose the lavishly appointed Montero SR, which has all those features as standard equipment.
Many drivers will find the SR to be a more desirable choice, anyway, as its larger 3.5-liter V6 engine gives it a clear edge in horsepower and torque. In fact, the SR V6 is one of the strongest in the entire realm of compact sport/ utilities.
The downside of the SR’s extra power is indifferent fuel economy: The EPA rates the SR at an unimpressive 17 mpg. on the highway.
All Monteros are equipped with Active Trac 4WD, a system that incorporates a 2-speed transfer case, center differential and viscous coupling, and permits shifting between 2WD and 4WD at any speed below 62 mph. To shift into low-range 4WD, for really rough stuff, you have to stop.
It’s also important to keep in mind that, as sophisticated as it is, this is an on-demand system intended for situational use, unlike full-time 4WD systems.
Having said that, it’s only fair to point out that most sport/utility 4WD systems, while vastly improved over the last five years or so, are still on-demand systems.
On the highway, our Montero provided a smooth, albeit firm ride. The suspension did a good job of smoothing out rough pavement, but there was still a hint of the muscle required for stump jumping, rock hopping and other off-road forms of fun.
About the only other highway reminder of our Montero’s spot personality was its behavior in crosswinds. This is an exceptionally tall vehicle, and strong crosswinds push it around a bit more than some of the others.
Power steering and the good visibility a high seating position provides make it reasonably handy in traffic, although its 38.7-ft. turning circle falls into the category of not-so-handy.
The Montero’s interior noise levels are good at low speeds, and only so-so on the freeway.
There’s a fair amount of wind noise at higher speeds, which is partly a function of the relatively vertical windshield. And like all sport/utilities equipped with tires capable of clawing their way through dirt and mud, our Montero made noticeable tire noise when it was rolling on pavement.
As for engine performance, the extra power of the SR’s 3.5-liter V6 was welcome, but well short of heart-stopping. Although this V6 is a refined, technically advanced engine, it has to propel more than 4400lb. of sport/utility vehicle, which does take some of the edge off its zeal. The same applies to towing chores. And bulk is no friend to fuel economy, either.
Final Word
The Montero sits near the top of the sport/utility price list. With even a base model rolling out the dealer’s door at more than $25,000, it’s hardly inexpensive¾
you’re not far from a Land Rover Discovery for this kind of money¾
but you pay for what you get.
In the Montero’s case, that means the money buys a quality product that is generously equipped and carefully assembled. Mitsubishi doesn’t get the recognition it deserves on this score. It’s among the best.
Moreover, the Montero is, by and large, enjoyable to drive, extremely spacious and easy to live with. Of course there are compromises involved in any sport/utility design, but the big Mitsubishi meets the challenge as well as any other vehicle in its class, and better than most of them. |
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