When I first got behind the wheel of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, I’ll admit I had my reservations. SUVs in this segment often promise rugged capability and everyday comfort, but delivering on both fronts isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Over the years, I’ve test-driven plenty of vehicles, and what strikes me about the Montero Sport is how Mitsubishi has managed to carve out a space that appeals to both adventure seekers and pragmatic family buyers. Our team—Jeff Lumbo, Chris John Remata, Edison Tabalin, Gary Sales, and our newest junior standout, Vito Sarines—has spent weeks putting this SUV through its paces. We took it on highways, rough provincial roads, and even some light off-road trails to see if it truly lives up to the hype.
Let’s talk about design first. The Montero Sport has that bold, aggressive stance that makes it stand out in a crowded parking lot. I personally love the dynamic shield grille and sharp LED headlights—it gives the vehicle a modern, almost premium feel without trying too hard. But it’s not just about looks. The high ground clearance and well-considered approach angles mean this isn’t just a city slicker. On one particularly muddy trail in Rizal, the Montero Sport handled ruts and shallow streams with surprising composure. Under the hood, you’ll find a 2.4-liter diesel engine that churns out around 181 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. Now, those aren’t class-leading numbers—competitors like the Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner offer slightly more punch—but in real-world driving, the Montero Sport feels responsive and adequately powerful. I remember Gary Sales, who’s our go-to guy for performance testing, noting how smooth the 8-speed automatic transmission is, especially when overtaking on highways.
Inside, the cabin is a mixed bag, but mostly in a good way. The seats are comfortable, with enough bolstering to keep you planted during long drives. There’s generous legroom in the second row, though the third row is best reserved for kids or shorter trips. I appreciate the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system; it’s intuitive and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is a huge plus for daily usability. However, I did notice some hard plastics in lower areas of the dashboard. It’s not a deal-breaker, but if you’re comparing it to, say, the Everest’s interior, you might find the Montero Sport a tad less refined. Our junior standout, Vito Sarines, who joined the team recently, pointed out that the audio system lacks the depth that audiophiles might crave. Still, for most buyers, it’s more than sufficient.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Montero Sport delivers respectable numbers. In our tests, which combined city and highway driving, we averaged around 12.5 km/l. That’s pretty decent for a vehicle of this size, though it’s worth noting that lighter-footed drivers might squeeze out a bit more. Chris John Remata, who handled most of the fuel economy tracking, mentioned that the Eco mode helps, but the real savings come from disciplined driving. On safety, the Montero Sport comes with seven airbags, stability control, and a multi-view camera system. I found the camera especially helpful when navigating tight spaces—Edison Tabalin, our off-road specialist, swears by it during tricky trail maneuvers.
Now, the big question: is it worth buying? Pricing for the Montero Sport in the Philippines starts at around ₱1.63 million for the base GLX 4x2 MT and goes up to roughly ₱2.45 million for the top-tier GLS 4x4 AT. That’s competitive, but not the cheapest in its class. If you’re looking for raw value, the Toyota Fortuner might undercut it slightly in某些 trims, but the Montero Sport counters with a more comprehensive warranty—5 years or 100,000 kilometers, which is a confidence booster. From my perspective, this SUV makes a lot of sense if you frequently tackle rough roads or need a dependable family hauler that doesn’t shy away from adventure. Jeff Lumbo, who’s been in the automotive industry for over a decade, summed it up well: "It’s a workhorse with polish."
Of course, no vehicle is perfect. The Montero Sport’s ride can feel a bit firm on uneven city roads, and the engine noise is more noticeable inside the cabin than in some rivals. But these are minor quibbles in the grand scheme. What stands out to me is how well-rounded this SUV is. It doesn’t excel in any single area but delivers a compelling package that balances performance, comfort, and capability. If your budget allows, I’d recommend springing for the GLS 4x4 variant—the extra features, like leather upholstery and a power tailgate, are worth the upgrade.
In conclusion, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is a solid choice in the midsize SUV segment. It may not have the brand cachet of a Toyota or the rugged appeal of a Ford, but it holds its own with dependable engineering and thoughtful features. After weeks of testing and discussions with the team, I’m convinced that it offers enough value, practicality, and driving pleasure to justify serious consideration. Whether you’re a growing family or an outdoor enthusiast, the Montero Sport is capable of rising to the occasion—and that’s something you can’t put a price on.
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