Mitsubishi's overachiever: The Montero Sport

MANILA, Philippines - Time was when the Mitsubishi Pajero lorded it over all other comers in the sport utility vehicle class. Heck it was king of the hill way before the terms “sport utility vehicle” or “SUV” were even coined. Its long glory days were in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

But after almost two decades of utter dominance, something happened to the Pajero. It grew larger, more sophisticated, more luxurious, and inevitably, much more expensive, pricing itself out of many people’s budgets.

We waited long and hard for Mitsubishi to come up with its own affordable pickup-based SUV along the lines of the Toyota Fortuner/Hilux, Isuzu Alterra/D-MAX, and Ford’s Everest/Ranger SUV/pickup platform twins. Until finally, a Mitsubishi Strada-based SUV came out to take up where the Pajero left off. It’s called the Montero Sport — and by golly if it’s one truck that still needs an introduction now.

Since its debut in August 2008, the Montero Sport has been the undisputed sales leader among midsized SUVs. In its first full year of Philippine sales in 2009, it racked up 8,092 deliveries to buyers who had to wait months to get one in their garage. But that was just a taste of what was to come.

In 2010, the Montero Sport found no less than 12,247 eager buyers. That’s a little over a thousand buyers a month or 34 units a day! And good for half the market share of its category. Not bad for a vehicle that costs well over P1.3 million. It’s become so ubiquitous it’s almost impossible to not know anyone who owns one.

While most motoring journalists would have their own impressions about the Montero Sport and what makes it tick, I asked some friends who own one what attribute of it that they like the most.

“It’s primarily the ride,” said Rey Gamboa, fellow Star columnist and Collegiate Champions League chairman.

“I appreciate its size and it gives me the comfort and security my daughter and I need, especially when cruising the infamous stretch of Commonwealth,” said Samsung Electronics Philippines’ Odette Velarde.

“We chose it for its value for money, design and the fact that it was highly recommended by friends,” said Noel San Juan of Unilab. “I like it for its comfortable ride, easy handling and engine power,” he added.

But it’s not just in vehicle sales that the Montero Sports comes out on top. When the Car of the Year-Philippines group composed of print, TV and online journalists from the local motoring beat tested and compared all midsized sport utility vehicles last year, the Montero Sport came out on top (as it did in COTY-P in 2009). It has also won the 2009 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards (AFPCA) Best Midsize SUV and was back-to-back Media’s choice for Best Bang for the Buck under the same AFPCA.

Like movies, it’s not often that we see a box office hit also become critically acclaimed — or vice versa. But Mitsubishi’s new off-roader is just that — a commercial and critical success.

At the heart of the Montero Sport is a 2.5-liter turbo-intercooled common-rail direct-injection (CRDi) diesel mated to a 4-speed automatic with Sportronic manumatic mode and makes use of Mitsubishi’s sophisticated Super Select 4WD system. (There is also a very attractively priced 2WD model.)

The new Montero Sport GTV variant boasts a similar engine but with a Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) that gives it more horsepower (178 ps), gobs more torque (350 Nm) as well as enhanced engine response and, believe it or not, improved fuel economy. These power and torque outputs are even higher than the old Montero Sport GLS SE’s much bigger 3.2-liter non-VGT turbo-diesel engine which pumped out 163 ps and 343 Nm of torque. (The 2.5-liter non-VGT engine puts out 136 ps and 314 Nm.)

Credit for the the widely acclaimed excellent riding comfort of the Montero Sport goes to front double wishbones with coil springs and rear 3-link coil suspension with long trailing arm. Both ends are fitted with stabilizer bars to reduce body roll during cornering. A power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system directing 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped by 265/65R-17 all-terrain rubber provide good road feel, better response, and a class leading turning radius of only 5.6 meters.  

Three years after its launch, we are still bowled over by its combination of stylish looks, smooth and powerful drivetrains, roomy and functional interior, rugged yet smooth-riding suspension, and its overall refinement. The Mitsubishi Montero Sport is simply a winner in anybody’s book.