As stylish and capable as the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is, it isn’t really known for having the most advanced tech features, especially in SUVs.

Things are changing a lot though, as high-end stuff in the Pajero are finally trickling down not just to the Montero, but even in the badge’s lower two-wheel-drive trims.

Before I give you the rundown of the innovative stuff, let’s first see why this has been the truck of choice for many SUV lovers. Let’s check out the Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS 2.4 4x2 A/T.

Ride and handling

Its image and reputation of toughness literally comes from its Strada roots, including the body-on-frame design that sits on a ladder frame. The chassis is stiff because of this, twisting on off-road surfaces, but if 90% of your route will be in the city instead of the Pinatubo trail, you’ll be thankful that the Montero Sport now uses independent suspension (front and rear) instead of leaf springs.

The ride is a very acceptable mix of rigidity and comfort. Bumps on the road are palpable but in a less pronounced manner as these are softened by the coil springs and quieted by the absorbing qualities of the chassis.

Water wading depth is at 700mm, which is definitely good for when the wet season comes in with the occasional flash floods, but I know deep down you’re praying you’ll never need to test it.

Engine

One of its popular features is its robust 2.4-liter engine that revs audibly and sounds throaty enough to trick you into thinking it has more than just 181ps and 430Nm of torque.

Acceleration is mild unless you give it more than 50% throttle input especially on the low gears. That’s when you’ll really hear it grunt and feel its almost two-ton body become more agile and quick on its feet.

Fuel thirst is superb: 14.3kpl at speeds of 70kph or above. In traffic, it goes down to a still-satisfactory 8.5kpl. It’s big yet easy to maneuver and even has the best turning radius of any SUV (5.6m). It will cruise along narrow streets and won’t pose too much of a problem in tight parking spaces.

Tech goodness

With the truck features out of the way, here are some of the new tech that not only makes cooler, but also allows for easier access, and greater ease of use.

The key fob is more versatile than ever. You don’t even need to push any button to open the door; just reach for the latch and it will unlock automatically.

It now uses a start/stop button, but the hitch is it’s on the driver’s left side. Muscle memory makes it something that will take a lot of getting used to, but there’s an upside. If you want to cool the cabin before getting in, now there’s don’t need to reach around the steering wheel to access the button to start the engine.

There are a lot of USB ports. Two are at the back, located behind the center console and one in front, just below the center stack. Rear passengers won’t need to leave their phones with you in front or need longer cables.

A large 6.75-inch touchscreen system is the highlight of the center stack. It boasts Bluetooth connectivity and has an easy pairing process even if it runs on a third-party software.

This model now uses an electronic parking brake. This is easier to engage, won’t ever apply the wrong amount of pressure, and more importantly, increases space around the center console.

For couples who can never agree on the right cabin temperature, there’s now dual climate zone. This way I can keep it cool on my side while my wife can set the temp higher on hers.

It’s more well-rounded now than ever before with truck features you have always loved about Mitsubishis, complemented by sedan-type amenities that makes driving it easier and more fun. Oh, and did I mention that it even has an eight-speed automatic transmission that can be overridden by magnesium alloy paddle shifters? It’s probably one of the smoothest-shifting gearboxes in the segment, too.

This model’s top of the line costs nearly two and a quarter million pesos. If that’s too much for you, it’s okay because this GLS 2.4 4x2 A/T, which is more than half a million pesos cheaper at P1.769 million, has good old SUV features you’re looking for, but now made better with new tech features that you want.

Photos by Eric Tipan