New year, new ride: Mitsubishi Montero Sport

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport is arguably one of the most popular sport utility vehicles (SUV) in the Philippine market today. Despite the proliferation of Chinese models, many Filipino enthusiasts and buyers alike still go for Japanese nameplates like the budget Pajero. 

Sometime last year, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) released homologation papers for a new Mitsubishi Montero Sport, which appears to be narrower and lower than the current-generation SUV sold by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation. 

Also, looking at the updated Mitsubishi Pajero Sports in Thailand, it seems to have improved comfort and convenience appointments, making it an appealing choice for families whose weekends consist of both crawling malls and embarking on spontaneous out-of-town trips.  

Of note, the currently offered Mitsubishi Montero Sport in the country has been around locally since 2016. 

Here are some exciting features that will interest those in the market for a new SUV: 

Narrower, lower 

As briefly covered above, the would-be (since the marque is yet to confirm its arrival) updated Mitsubishi Montero Sport is narrower and lower than the one on the market right now. 

Based on the LTO paperwork, it has the following measurements: 

Overall dimensions (length, width, height; in millimeters [mm>)	4,840 x 1,800 x 1,805
Wheelbase (in mm)	2,800
Ground clearance (in mm)	218
Overhang (in mm)	1,125
Gross vehicle weight (in kilograms)	2,710

If we look at the Mitsubishi Montero Sport on the Japanese carmaker’s Philippine subsidiary, it has an overall length of 4,840 mm, an overall width of 1,815 mm, and an overall height of 1,835 mm. It clears the ground by 218 mm. 

To the right customer, a smaller and shorter SUV would be ideal, whether it’s for ease of driving in the small streets of the metro or for convenience in parking in the many crammed lots found in the city.

When driven off the beaten path, its more compact size could also improve maneuverability in narrow ditches, or where there is thick foliage. 

Going over potholes, speed bumps, and rugged roads should not be a problem, as the updated SUV still retains a 218 mm clearance and still sports a set of wheels that measure 17 inches. 

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More tech-savvy 

Although the LTO documents do not specify standard interior features, the Thai-spec Mitsubishi Montero Sport has notable improvements over the Philippine-spec one. 

Specifically, a power lumbar support for the driver and a 12.1-inch widescreen roof monitor for the rear passengers.

For obvious reasons, the former works by alleviating back fatigue in long drives, while the latter helps in entertaining those sitting in the second and third rows. At the time of writing, the SUV in the same category (from a Japanese brand) that sports a similar flip-down screen is the Nissan Terra. 

Should the same feature be available to the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, it could trump the Nissan Terra since the screen from the somewhat struggling marque measures only 11 inches. Further, the entertainment display on the Montero Sport has infrared headphones and has HDMI- as well as USB-compatible inputs, for casting media from smartphones, tablets, or portable gaming consoles — like the Nintendo Switch. 

Available trims 

Per LTO’s homologation papers, there will be four variants of the updated Mitsubishi Montero Sport, namely: 

• GLX 2.4D 2WD AT
• GLS 2.4D 2WD AT
• Black Series 2.4D 2WD AT
• Black Series GLX 2.4D 4WD AT

Familiar power 

According to LTO, the updated Mitsubishi Montero Sport will be propelled by a 2,442 cubic-centimeter diesel engine, which is similar to the displacement size of the one we have here. 

What’s curious is that the four variants no longer have a manual gearbox and are all fitted with automatic transmissions. 

Despite the lack of a manual tranny, we believe that a manual mode will still be available in select models by way of paddle shifters, like the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Prime in Thailand. 

Final thoughts 

The arrival of the updated Mitsubishi Montero Sport could further shake things up in the local SUV scene.

Not only would it re-equip the tried and tested nameplate with modern ammunition to face the competition, but it could re-ignite the passion of enthusiasts who grew up on one of these vehicles. 

Also read:

'Updated' Mitsubishi Montero Sport expected to be introduced 'soon'

Mitsubishi updates Thai-spec Montero Sport

Mitsubishi Motors PH refreshes Montero Sport

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