Mitsubishi took the wraps off the perfectly capable (we found out the fun way!) Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2016 with a fairly challenging desert drive.
The Montero Sport (aka the Pajero Sport or the Nativa in other regions) at first glance is a striking vehicle with aerodynamic body styling. It is higher than previous Pajero Sport versions and the overall belt line too is raised.
The top-of-the-line model comes equipped with all the modern off-roading features you’d expect including central diff lock and a Super Select four wheel drive system with 2WD, AWD and 4WD with low-range modes.
While I haven’t been a huge fan of the looks of almost any vehicle in the mid-range SUV segment, I have to admit the Montero Sport is a bit of a head turner. The model wears Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield front design and with its LED lamps and daytime running lights, looks a lot more upmarket. The piece-de-resistance for me however, is the progressive LED tail-light bank that traverses down the tail-gate of the car. It looks very fancy after dark and helps the Montero aggressively shake off its price bracket image.
On the inside too, the Montero Sport is tricked out and cushy. It is comfortable and spacious although the 3rd row will accommodate two adults only if their growth spurts stopped in their teenage years. Despite this, it is an excellent family hauler with great boot space if you opt out of a 3rd row option.
The leather seats look the business and feel the business on your soft bits even on long drives. There is plenty of leg room and headroom for front row and rear seat passengers even if you’re on the taller side.
The trim looks aesthetically brilliant for a vehicle that maxes out at Dh107,900. While the interior isn’t exactly Goodwood standard, the instruments and controls feel premium and not plasticky. The steering wheel encased in leather has voice controls, cruise control and entertainment volume control intuitively placed. The air-conditioning of this car is a big win and the entertainment system also offers USB support as well as Bluetooth connectivity to your smart-phone. However, you can only connect via Bluetooth when the car is stationary, which in my opinion is a very good thing considering the rising mass of texting drivers running amok every day.
The 7-inch screen on the entertainment interface is new and brilliantly appointed. The touch screen has a tiny bit of lag but I’m only nit-picking here. My only grouse with the entertainment system is the distortion at loud volumes despite six speakers and two tweeters.
The Margham desert was the perfect launch venue to put the Montero Sport to trial amidst the dunes. The 3.0 litre V6 married to an 8-speed automatic gearbox is a fun engine for the dunes and not once during the desert trail did it feel like it’ll get me stuck in a tight spot. The MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system) assisted engine is great at generating torque where it’s most needed – at the bottom of a steep hill. And I have to say that the Montero Sport addressed every challenging incline and slope with ease and confidence. I did have to push the pedal through the floor on more than one occasion but that’s just my grouse with turbo. You never truly know when it will kick in. In the desert that just doesn’t feel as good as a naturally aspirated engine. But it feels light and easily manouevrable.
The 218mm ground clearance is fantastic when you’re on the top of a dune at that agonizing spot where a lower SUV would bottom itself on the crest. The 4WD rotary selector is very handy when you’re blazing a trail in the soft stuff and the Montero Sport switches to low range coolly with a flick of the dial. The rear diff lock and hill assist are great additions in an SUV in this price bracket.
On the highway too, MIVEC ensures that decent torque doesn’t compromise horsepower and the Montero Sport traverses through gears with ease. The gearbox is also controlled via paddle-shifters that offer quick gearshifts through the rev range and keep the torque momentum flowing. While these make it great for highway driving, I found that I had to ‘step on the pedal’ to overtake or to beat another car to a coveted parking space. Did I mention, MIVEC technology also keeps fuel consumption extremely low?
This is an SUV built with the safety of your family in mind with comprehensive active and passive safety features. It boasts RISE*3 impact safety body design and a total of seven SRS airbags provide occupants outstanding passive safety. It also has a Forward Collision Mitigation system (FCM), the Blind Spot Warning system (BSW, a first in a Mitsubishi model) and the Ultrasonic mis-acceleration Mitigation System (UMS). In addition the all-new Montero Sport is fitted with many advanced features which go well beyond what is normally found in this class, such as an electric parking brake (first on a Mitsubishi model), a Multi-around Monitor and fully automaticclimate control allowing different temperatures to be set for driver and front seat passenger.
In all, the Montero Sport 2016 manages to offer a cavernous interior with premium trim and features, a great drive train and suspension and stylish looks for a price that’s unmatchable.
