The Mitsubishi Montero Sport is one of the most popular pickup truck-based, midsize SUVs in the Philippine market. And from the get-go, many are of the opinion that it already has the road presence and the right number of mechanical bits to handle rough roads and light off-roading.
The Montero Sport in stock form
But what can one do to improve the Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2021 even further? How can one make it look more macho? What kind of mods does it need to become a full-on off-roader? Here are some tips & advice.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Modified: Macho looks with some practicality
Before describing what you can do to the Montero to make it a capable off-roader, let’s first talk about some mods that can make it look like one but not totally quite there yet. These modifications however, can also see some use in off-road situations, but for the most part, they lean more towards the SUV’s looks and practicality.
A Montero Sport equipped with a roof rack [Photo source: Premium Overland Outfitters]
For instance, something as simple as roof racks can enhance the look of your Montero Sport. It provides it with a more utilitarian feel, plus it can allow you to carry stuff that otherwise won’t fit inside.
Another aftermarket part that can make your Montero Sport more tougher-looking is of course a new set of aftermarket wheels. The stock wheels of this Mitsubishi model already look great, but the angular designs from Black Rhino might complement the futuristic look of the Montero Sport’s front end. There are also brands like BCC Wheels, Fuel Wheels, among others. Even Rota Wheels have some off-road models that might suit the Montero Sport.
Check out this Montero Sport kitted out as a search and rescue vehicle for the PNP-HPG
Do note though that if you’re fitting your Montero Sport with larger aftermarket wheels, it might have some effect on its handling. Also note that installing a set of new tires with aggressive off-road treads might negatively impact the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels of your SUV. All-terrain tires might also cause poor fuel efficiency on pavement.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Modified: Full-on rockhopper
If you want to prepare your Montero Sport to be able to handle mud, rocks, sand, and whatnot, then you’d have to consider some mods that will drastically change the SUV mechanically.
Plus, these will require a lot of work and money on your part if you’re installing them yourself. We do not recommend that though. Instead, we encourage you to acquire the services of any of the many off-road tuning shops here in the Philippines.
Looks menacing right? [Photo source: wolf4x4]
To start off, you’d want to increase the Montero Sport’s ride height. In stock form, it already has 218mm. Then again, that might not be enough if you want to take it out to the boonies. For this, you’d want a suspension lift kit.
Specifically, brands that sell this mod for the Montero Sport include ARB with their Old Man Emu kit. This can cost around Php 50,000. That’s quite a bit of dough, but the said kit already includes front shock absorbers and 20mm coils, and rear shock absorbers as well as 35mm coils.
If you can wait for imported products, there’s also the suspension lift kit from TJM. Like ARB, they’re also made in Australia, but this one’s geared more towards peak performance on sand.
Next up, you’d want a steel bumper that can accommodate a winch. For this, there are brands like Hamer, rhino4x4, SR Performance, among others.
A Montero Sport equipped with ARB's Old Man Emu Suspension kit [Photo source: ARB Europe]
Do note that a steel bumper is useful for protecting your Montero Sport. Plus, a winch can pull you out of sticky situations when you need it. Plus, most of these products already come with mounting points for steel skid plates and even for auxiliary lighting.
And lastly, you’d want a good set of tires that are rated for off-road use. As we’ve said, these can negatively affect your fuel mileage, but that’s the price you’ll have to pay for being able to rock crawl or go through knee-deep mud pits.
In the Philippines, there are numerous options for these. There are brands like BFGoodrich, Cooper, Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, and many others. Be aware though that all-terrain tires carry a premium over regular road tires.
To conclude, those are the basic mods one can provide the Montero Sport for a more macho appearance, and more capable off-road. Be aware though that this list is far from exhaustive as there are numerous other modifications that you can give to your Montero Sport.
These look cool. But if you're only driving your Montero on pavement, then you might get poor fuel mileage
For instance, you might want to give it a chip tune to get more torque. You might want an aftermarket radiator for better cooling. You might even want a better air intake or a larger intercooler. The sky’s the limit for Montero Sport mods, but be aware that these can be expensive, and you have to know what you’re doing.
Also, you might take stock of the Montero Sport variant you already have especially if you want to go off-roading. For this, you’d want the Montero Sport GT 4x4 AT. It is the only trim for this model with a 4x4 drivetrain after all. Otherwise, no dice.
For more guides on car mods, and car buying and selling guides, keep it here on the Philippines’ largest automotive portal.
Know more about Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2024
One of the popular midsize SUVs in the Philippines is the Montero Sport by Japanese auto giant Mitsubishi. It continually hits the list of best-selling cars in the country every year. Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2024 price in the Philippines is quite good, ranging from PHP 1,568,000 to PHP 2,567,000 with a lot of variants. Powering this midsize SUV is a 2.4-liter 4N15 inline-4 Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) that makes 179 hp and 430 Nm of torque. It can send power to all four wheels via either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic with Sports Mode. The Montero Sport spans 4,825 mm in length, 1,815 mm in width, and 1,835 mm in height. Currently, this Mitsubishi vehicle is competing against the Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu mu-X, and Ford Everest.
The Mitsubishi Montero Sport, as a third-generation model, displays its benchmark for the brand's contemporary lineup, which is the 'Dynamic Shield' grille that shows a completely redesigned front. Similar to the model it replaced, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is L200 or Strada pickup based. The chassis and half of its front body structure are the same as its pickup sibling. It still uses the three-link live axle coil spring for the rear suspension and the independent double-wishbone front suspension from the model it supersedes. The full list of Mitsubishi Montero Sport for sale of car dealers on Philkotse.com gets 82 results, you can take a look to make a wise choice yourself.
>>> New and used Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2024 for sale in the Philippines
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Launch
The first-generation Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2024 pickup-based SUV debuted in 1996 in Japan. It was formerly called the Challenger. It was only in early 2005 that the model reached the Philippines. The very first Mitsubishi Montero Sport in Philippine-spec was the modified model that features a split grille in Olivier Boulay-design. In 2008, the second-generation model arrived that was pickup-based like before, longer and came with seats in the third row that added extra seating capacity from five to now seven seats. In early 2016, it was then replaced by the latest third-generation model.
The Mitsubishi Philippines launched the third-generation Mitsubishi Montero Sport replacing its predecessors in terms of power, refinement, and style. On October 4, 2019, the refreshed Mitsubishi Montero Sport was introduced in the Philippines to provide the top-selling SUV with its updated look.
Later in 2022, the marque introduced the all-new Montero Sport Black Series Ralliart Edition at the 8th Philippine International Motor Show.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Exterior
The 'Dynamic Shield’ design language helps in projecting a futuristic concept for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport Philippines. The front end has enough amount of chrome, intensely edgy and sharp. At the top grille part, two short strips of chrome are present. The chrome strips also outline the bumper's side surfaces and finish descending lower near the fog lamps. The projector headlamps are also attractive and sleek.
Its roofline is properly crafted, enabling it to thin down the windows more. The overhangs of the rear are more extended, making the wheelbase shorter. The tail lights touch the bumper on the back and are upright long. The registration number is ingrained on the trunk lid, and the exhaust time is immersed in chrome.
The Montero Sport measures 4,825mm long, 1,815mm wide, the wheelbase measures 2,800mm, and 218mm of ground clearance.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Interior
The Mitsubishi Montero Sport Philippines employed a simple-to-operate straight-forward dashboard. The dashboard is mainly composed of materials such as piano-black plastics, polyurethane, and satin chrome plastics. Leather seats for range-toppers come with motorized adjustments. The Mitsubishi Montero Sport has plenty of space and has an expandable cargo volume because of its configurable seats. Using a specific function available only to the model, the third row is capable of being folded flat onto the floor, thus, creating a big cargo space.
The Mitsubishi Montero Sport also features front seats that are highly driver-centric with a supportive backrest. The seats in the second row are adjustable and can be shifted slightly forward to provide additional legroom in the last row when the third row is moved backward.
Technology & Safety Features
The GT variant is equipped with an infotainment system, two 8-inch LCD located on the instrument cluster, an Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and a power tailgate. The GT and GLS variants both feature reverse sensors, the Tomtom navigation, and the reverse camera. Cruise control is also included, which comes as a standard.
Safety features that come as a standard are the Brake Override, ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, side-impact beams, ISOFIX child seat tethers, and speed-sensing door locks. On the other hand, both GLS and GT variants are equipped with stability and traction control, extra four airbags, trailer stability control, hill descent control, and hill start, and brake assists.
In 2016, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport Philippines garnered a 5-star rating in ASEAN NCAP for adult occupancy protection and a 4-star rating for child occupancy protection.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Platform & Chassis
The Mitsubishi Montero Sport Philippines rides on a ladder-frame chassis, available in four-wheel-drive and rear-wheel configurations. It is a five-door midsize SUV sitting on the KR/KS/QE platform. It has a double-wishbone suspension with coil springs and a stabilizer bar at the front and 3-link coil springs with a stabilizer bar at the rear end. All its wheels are equipped with disc brakes.
The Mitsubishi Montero Sport can accommodate seven occupants and has an automatic transmission available. Moreover, depending on the fuel type and variant, the model has a 17.40 km/L fuel consumption on the highway.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Engine & Drivetrain
The Mitsubishi Montero Sport Philippines is powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder engine with the addition of the turbocharged formula, giving it a bit more power. A maximum of 78 horsepower can be put out by its diesel motor, which can be considered adequate for its range. The engine can produce a torque power of up to 430 Nm, which can mean better power performance even on rough roads, and is capable of pulling off a tremendous amount of load.
The midsize SUV, when fully loaded, can put up a total of nine kilometers using a liter of diesel in and about the city. And can provide the utmost of 13 km/L on the highway. With its prices not exceeding the Php2-million mark, its engine can be quite surprising.
Available colors for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport Philippines are Sterling Silver Metallic, Medium Red, Graphite Gray Metallic, Jet Black Mica, and White Diamond.
Without a doubt, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is a decent choice in the local midsize SUV market. It offers the lowest power numbers as compared to segment rivals with 179 hp and 430 Nm of torque. Rivals such as the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest 2024 can generate as much as 500 Nm of torque. However, the Mitsubishi SUV makes up for it thanks to its impressive driving dynamics. The 8-speed automatic transmission provides a smooth ride. Also, the MIVEC technology, which is the world's first, improves power delivery and fuel efficiency. Only the Mitsubishi Montero Sport and Ford Everest get to benefit from a sunroof.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2024 Price List
| Variants | Price |
|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLX 2.4 4x2 MT | ₱1,568,000 |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLX 2.4 4x2 MT (White Diamond) | ₱1,583,000 |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS 2.4 4x2 AT | ₱1,899,000 |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS 2.4 4x2 AT (White Diamond) | ₱1,914,000 |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2.4 Black Series 4x2 AT | ₱2,162,000 |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2.4 Black Series 4x2 AT (White Diamond) | ₱2,177,000 |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2.4 Black Series 4x4 AT | ₱2,502,000 |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2.4 Black Series 4x4 AT (White Diamond) | ₱2,517,000 |
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Pros & Cons
Pros
- Rugged exterior stance
- Impressive powertrain
- Good cabin space
Cons
- Interior isn't as plush as exterior
- Power is low numbers-wise compared to rivals
- Reverse camera resolution can be improved
Mitsubishi Montero Sport FAQs
1. How much is a new Mitsubishi Montero Sport?
The price varies from P1,568,000 to P2,341,000 for four different Mitsubishi Montero Sport variants. The entry-level is the GLX 2.4 4x2 MT, while the most advanced is the GT 2.4 4x4 AT.
2. Is the Mitsubishi Montero Sport reliable?
Of course. The Mitsubishi Montero engine is powerful and quiet with a smooth gearbox. In addition, the car provides good visibility, a small turning radius, and a great steering feel. Thus, it feels quite comfortable driving down the street.
3. Is the Mitsubishi Montero Sport good for off-road?
Absolutely yes, the off-road capability on the new Montero Sport is enhanced with Terrain mode. With each operating mode, the system will fine-tune the engine performance, accelerator pedal sensitivity, and ESC electronic stability control system to make the car overcome all kinds of harsh terrain.
4. Does the Montero have a reverse camera?
Yes, it does. The Mitsubishi Montero Sport is equipped with keyless entry, reverse sensors, and a camera.
5. What type of car is the Montero Sport?
The Mitsubishi Montero Sport is a 7-seater midsize SUV that provides high performance and a great steering feel.
₱ 1,568,000 - ₱ 2,366,000
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