If you're new to the Mitsubishi stable, don't confuse the Montero Sport with its bigger brother, the older Montero. (The Montero uses a similar rear coil spring suspension system, but starts near $32,000 and often tops $38,000 with all the options.)
For 1999, Mitsubishi stuffed the Montero's bigger 3.5-liter V6 into the Montero Sport Limited model. This 3.5-liter V6 produces 200 horsepower -- compared with 173 horsepower for the 3.0-liter V6 that goes in the other Montero Sport models.
SUV shoppers on a budget will now look elsewhere as the entry-level model has risen from less than $19,000 last year to more than $22,500 for 2000. The reason is simple: the less expensive 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and manual transmission are no longer available. For 2000, all Montero Sport models come standard with a V6 and automatic.
Three trim levels are available with the 173-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. The lineup starts with the $22,527 ES with two-wheel drive. The $24,777 LS adds privacy glass, fender flares, a split rear seat, power windows and larger alloy wheels. An additional $2,030 adds the optional four-wheel-drive system, which lets you shift between two- and four-wheel drive at any speed. For $27,872 you get the two-wheel-drive XLS, which has luxury stuff like a power antenna, keyless remote entry, fog lights, side steps, and a leather steering wheel. (Add $455 destination charge to all prices.)
To get the bigger 3.5-liter engine, however, you have to buy the Limited, which adds a limited-slip rear differential and a rear seat heater, and runs $29,907 for the two-wheel-drive version. For 2000, the price of the Montero Sport Limited 4x4 is $31,357.
Why are all of these wagons available without four-wheel-drive? According to Mitsubishi, about 65 percent of buyers prefer the two-wheel-drive models. Everyone dreams of the big 4x4 trip, but these cars are used primarily for everyday transportation, the company says.