Review and test drive: Mitsubishi Montero 3.2 DI-D 200 CV Aut, grandpa's experience

SUVs are in fashion, nobody can doubt that, so much so that every brand has at least one SUV in its model range. But true off-roaders have been disappearing from the market. Even some brands that had always been known for having one or two pure 4×4 models have given in to the SUV craze. After all, manufacturers have to launch products people want, and 4x4s have been relegated to a very niche segment.

Fortunately for lovers of the 4×4 world (of which I am one) there are still some brands with a great history in off-roading that keep betting on pure models created by and for off the asphalt. That is how the Mitsubishi Montero we tested this time can be defined, specifically the Mitsubishi Montero 3.2 DI-D with 200 CV and automatic gearbox.

Exterior design: 4×4 height, XL MPV size

Outside, the Montero is a sturdy car, with an imposing look both because of its dimensions (4.9 metres) and its squared, large-scale design. At the front it has barely changed in recent years, with standout polygonal-design headlights featuring xenon technology and LED daytime running lights along their lower part. The front bumper and lower protection remind us that this is a real 4×4.

Straight lines are the stars on the sides, from the windows themselves to the side door mouldings. That said, the side step takes away some height but is practical for getting into the interior. The wheels also stand out, with a profile focused on off-road behaviour and sizes of 265/60 R18.

At the rear, the first thing that stands out is the spare wheel, one of the few survivors that still keeps the spare wheel hung on the tailgate, quite a feat?? in today’s SUV and pseudo-SUV market. The boot lid opens sideways, so you have to watch your distance when parking in a garage and not get too close to the wall or you won’t be able to open the tailgate. That said, thanks to its huge opening, it lets you load any kind of object very comfortably.

Finally, in the exterior design we must not forget the sunroof. It is not panoramic because it does not cover the whole roof of the car, but it is large and brings a lot of light into the interior.

Interior design: room for seven in a design that has barely changed over the years

When we manage to climb into its interior, a complicated task especially for an older person because of the height, we find an extremely spacious interior and a familiar design with elements that have remained unchanged for years, standing out for example the on-board computer screen, which is even exotic thanks to the vintage touch it gives the Montero.

The dashboard design is made of straight lines (like the whole ensemble), quite simple in terms of buttons and lines. The quality is correct, with much of the dashboard in soft plastic, although there are some areas where soft plastics should not be found, least of all in a car at this price (such as the silver mouldings).

The driving position is very high, giving the feeling of sitting at the wheel of a very large car (or a van), with good front and side visibility (thanks to the huge mirrors). The seat is perhaps not very ergonomic -it has electric adjustment- and lateral support is scarce, but even so it is a relatively comfortable car for long journeys. Another detail to improve is that the steering wheel can only be adjusted for height, not reach.

The rear seats have more than enough space for feet and head, and are even comfortable for three occupants. The backrests can be adjusted for recline and have their own climate controls with side air vents.

If we move to the third row of seats, the width of the bench stands out (which is hidden under the boot floor), although it is positioned too low, which takes away comfort when seated. Access is not easy either, but it does its job, even for adult passengers.

Overall, the interior of the Mitsubishi Montero is very spacious and comfortable, with an overall level of quality that is more than correct and fittings that do the job, all the more so in a car like this that is subjected to a more demanding running regime than a passenger car.

In terms of storage spaces it does not stand out particularly apart from the huge central compartment and the main glovebox; otherwise the door pockets are small and there are none in the rear doors. There are also not many places to leave our belongings around the car, or the ones there are, are small (such as the one on the centre console).

The boot is enormous, with plenty of room to load practically anything. With five seats it has a capacity of 663 litres, which is reduced to 215 litres with seven seats, which is still more space than some city cars offer.

Engine and performance: 3.2 litres with 200 CV and plenty of character

Under the bonnet the Montero hides a 3.2-litre, four-cylinder engine producing 200 CV. With these figures we can already get an idea of the pushing power this 4×4 has. It is not a performance engine in the sense of being fast or gaining speed abruptly; it is 200 CV of pure vigour tasked with moving 2.5 tonnes, and off-road it pushes the Montero along with enviable ease.

In fact, it takes 11 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, but its 441 Nm of torque is noticeable when pushing, and even on country roads or motorways it moves with ease. Paired with the engine is an automatic gearbox with only five ratios -torque converter-. It is a good gearbox for moving through complicated terrain, but five gears are not enough to achieve good consumption on the motorway or even on country roads. That said, it has a sequential mode and the gearbox has good engine-braking capacity.

Nor is it an engine that stands out for its smoothness, quite the opposite, although this again forms part of the special charm of this off-roader: you can hear the turbo working at every moment, giving the car a sturdy touch.

Handling

In terms of handling, the standout is the enormous ride comfort it offers on all kinds of roads and motorways. That said, its suspension setup is designed for off-road use, that is, soft, which is noticeable when cornering or driving at high speeds, where you inevitably have to anticipate road conditions.

Its dimensions and weight also do not help make it agile. In fact, on bends the inertia is very noticeable, but this is entirely understandable and logical given the use it was designed for. Taking that into account, on motorways or country roads it is a relatively comfortable car, maintaining a good level of interior comfort and being a good devourer of kilometres (a shame about the higher consumption). In town, perhaps its size, lack of agility and consumption make it not the best habitat to drive in, although it has a good steering lock which lets us manoeuvre with some ease in tight spaces.

The steering stands out for its huge travel and its extreme firmness; although it is power-assisted, it does not seem to be. Meanwhile the braking system perfectly fulfils its job of stopping this almost 2.5-tonne 4×4 with authority.

Off-road performance

The main reason for the existence of the Mitsubishi Montero is to take it off the asphalt. On the road it is a spacious and comfortable car but it is not designed for it. However, when we decide to leave the asphalt, it does not matter what state the route we choose is in: we are not at the wheel of an SUV but of a true 4×4.

To test it we chose one of the most demanding scenarios for testing an off-roader: as every year we attend the Rallye de Portugal, accessing the different stages via very complicated tracks and areas that only the most capable 4x4s climb. Before getting down to it, I would rather talk about the arsenal the Montero hides. The first thing that stands out at a glance is the huge ground clearance (somewhat reduced by the side step, but still more than an SUV can offer). If we continue with the exterior, the tyres also stand out, with their enormous profile and designed specifically for use off the asphalt.

Mechanically the Montero is one of the few cars still equipped with a transfer case, from the lever next to the gearbox we can select several modes: 2H, 4H, 4HLc, 4LLc. The first is rear-wheel drive (sufficient for most tracks and routes), the second is permanent four-wheel drive, the next mode also includes a centre differential lock, and finally the low range keeping the centre differential locked. If this is not enough, we can still lock the rear differential from a button for the most complex moments.

Once we have become familiar with the transfer case and drive modes, we set off on the first test. It is a stony track with frequent ditches, where some previous driver has tried to fill the ditch with stones so they could get their car through. Luckily the Montero does not even need that: it goes over the track without even having to engage four-wheel drive.

On the second day, with the approach to the famous “Fafe jump” section, things get complicated. The 4x4s that went through before (extremely prepared for off-road use) have wrecked the track, full of earth and trial-like ruts with constant changes of grip and ditches into which the whole wheel drops. We select 4HLc mode and advance slowly in first gear, ideal for off-road use. The Montero twists but moves forward safely without hesitation, never even coming close to compromising any part of the car, let alone the drivetrain.

On going over the same route again, the track is even worse, so we go completely off it, advancing down a difficult descent where the very dry earth means we can barely brake. But once again the Montero moves forward with total confidence , never showing a moment of danger or risk, which is surprising. The independent suspension (wishbone-type on both axles) does its job without complaint, and we reach the end of the route in just minutes.

In short, when the test ends, that old slogan comes to mind: “Where a Montero goes, nobody goes“, which today becomes absolute truth as true off-roaders gradually disappear from the market, replaced by SUVs.

Consumption

Consumption is not the Montero’s best quality: its size and weight, together with its five-speed automatic gearbox, produce consumption figures that are above those of similar rivals. On the motorway the lowest consumption we achieved was 10.9 litres per 100 km, driving very carefully with the accelerator. On country roads the normal figure ranges between 11 and 12 litres per 100 km. In town the figure rises to 16 litres per 100 km, as it does if we drive for a good while off paved roads, although the latter is more understandable.

Equipment

The Montero’s equipment is as complete as it is dated, having dispensed with the driver assistance systems that are so fashionable in new launches. It is available with two equipment levels: Spirit and Kaiteki, the first aimed at a work-oriented audience and the second more complete. Among the changes in this version is a new infotainment system with a touchscreen and smartphone connectivity.

A notable equipment detail is the good illumination from the xenon headlights, or the quality of the sound from the Rockford Fosgate system (860 W and 12 speakers). On the negative side, parking sensors are missing (both front and rear, as the rear-view camera alone is insufficient).

Personal opinion and price

The starting price of the three-door Montero is 36,725 euros, while our five-door unit with the most complete trim reaches a price of 48,525 euros. Given the years it has been on the market and the lack of some equipment elements compared with other vehicles, it cannot be considered a cheap car. It is true that its capability is beyond doubt, but in the case of our unit a price close to 50,000 euros is too high.

As for my personal opinion of the Mitsubishi Montero, it is very positive, apart from a couple of details that do not convince us. If you are looking for a true 4×4, the options are few, and therefore the Montero is an excellent choice for its capabilities, size and space. The downsides, however, are high fuel consumption and a final price that should be more competitive.