A Glacier White Pearl Montero Sport arrived at our offices just in time for one staffer's three-day camping trip into the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. With its new grille, front bumper, fog lights and bodyside moldings, the 2000 Montero Sport looked aggressive and ready for anything. Appearing as rugged as a mountain man, the sport-ute's rear end also sported revised taillamps. With running boards, mudguards, a roof rack and 225/70R16 mud/snow tires, we were ready to tackle boulders, rivers, storms and bears-though we hoped we wouldn't encounter the latter.
Running last-minute errands around town to stock up on firewood, gear and gas, we found Mitsubishi's SUV to be pleasant and brawny, though not very agile. Parking in the grocery store lot was hampered by the vehicle's wide turning radius, and we had to reverse and inch forward several times to maneuver the Sport into the spot. When loading up the necessary tents, backpacks, sleeping bags and freeze-dried food, we found the cargo area to be user-friendly, with two divided floor compartments for holding small goods or wet clothing, a 40/60 split folding rear seat, and a cargo cover that prevented curious eyes from viewing our gear. The floor of the cargo space seemed a bit high for loading, though, and the spare tire was located under the vehicle.
At Denver's 5,280-foot elevation, the Montero Sport seemed powerful and capable of hauling a carload of campers and gear to any destination. Its suspension over a pothole-ridden highway was smoother than expected, thanks to improvements for 2000 that include a new three-link coil-spring rear suspension, making for a more stable ride. In addition, low-end torque was adequate and passing power around town was pleasing. It wasn't until we were heading uphill to higher elevations that the 3.5-liter, SOHC V6 engine seemed taxed. Producing 200 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 228 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm, we found the Montero Sport to be underpowered when gaining elevation at a steady pace, with its four-speed transmission hunting for the appropriate gears. Each time we reached a plateau, however, the tranny quieted itself and proceeded smoothly.
Passing through Gunnison, Colo., before trekking to the Spring Creek Reservoir, we encountered some craggy dirt roads running along a fly fisherman's paradise, the Taylor River. Slipping into four-wheel drive on-the-fly was easy with Montero Sport's well-placed shift lever, and the truck lumbered smoothly along for several miles until we reached our pristine camp site. With a total of seven grab handles inside the vehicle, there were plenty of places to hold on to when the going got rough. The vehicle's antilock brakes also came in handy early the next morning as we spotted two deer grazing along the side of the road on our way into town.
For 2000, Mitsubishi revamped its Montero Sport's interior and center console, adding a third 12-volt power outlet, a new, accessible location for the front cupholders, and two-tone instrument panel. All Limited models, including our test car, receive a new, monochromatic look, pearl white exterior color and a limited-slip differential. Other appreciated features included the standard running boards, alloy wheels, power sunroof, and auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and temperature display. Options on our test vehicle were limited to the leather seating package, which included heated seats and leather trim. The cabin was quiet-even on bumpy roads, and visibility was unobstructed, thanks to wide, fold-in side mirrors. The driving position was extremely comfortable, with plenty of legroom for both driver and passenger. Seats were supportive yet soft, causing little discomfort during our 500-mile journey. Our only wish was that Mitsubishi had installed captain's chairs, which would allow shorter drivers who sit closer to the wheel to have someplace to rest their arms. The arrow on the fuel gauge that highlighted the fuel door location was convenient and staffers thought the interior layout was ergonomically sound and user-friendly-though we would have liked both a cassette and CD player installed.
Complaints were limited to a heavy rear cargo door, smallish door handles that crowded one man's average-sized hand, and two radio station presets per button that made the stereo look cluttered. We also discovered a broken clock that refused to tell time correctly. We reset it at 5 p.m., but the clock read 6:32 p.m. just 15 minutes later, and some of the digital components were not lighting up.
Overall, we appreciated the vehicle's spiffy looks and comfortable interior. Rousing just a few minor complaints, the 2000 Montero Sport is worth looking into. The V6 engine should appease anyone who doesn't drive at high elevations on a regular basis; for those of us who do, we'll simply have to wait until Mitsubishi comes out with a V8.
Add A Comment »