If you're new to the Mitsubishi stable, don't confuse the Montero Sport with its older brother, the bigger and more radically styled Montero. The big Montero, with its 109.5-inch wheelbase, 104.6 cubic feet of passenger volume, and 5840 pound GVW starts near $32,000 and often tops $38,000 with all the options.
Our subject here is the junior-edition Montero Sport: 107.3-inch wheelbase, 93.6 cubic feet of passenger volume, and a GVW of 5000-5350 pounds. This is still no econo-SUV, however, with standard V6 power and a starting price close to $23,000.
For 2001, Montero Sport comes in a head-spinning five different trim levels, and each of these is now available in two-wheel or four-wheel drive.
ES, LS, and XLS variations are all powered by a 165-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. Even the $22,747 ES boasts a long list of luxury goodies. This model was offered only in 2WD last year, but is offered with 4WD for 2001.
Next up is the $25,627 LS, which adds rear privacy glass, more adjustments for the front seat, a 60/40 split rear seat, larger alloy wheels and, on 4WD versions only, four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS. For $27,397, you get the XLS, with color-keyed fender flares and other style enhancements, plus a security system in case the wrong sort of people notice.
Topping the line is the $31,317 Montero Sport Limited, with four-wheel-discs and ABS on 2WD as well as 4WD models, a limited-slip rear differential, plus monochromatic paint, Infinity stereo, tilt-and-slide moonroof, LCD trip computer, leather upholstery, and other ultimate-luxury equipment. Powering the Limited is Mitsubishi's top engine, a 3.5-liter V6 producing 197 horsepower.
New for 2001 is the Montero Sport 3.5XS, which combines the big engine with a slightly-better-than-LS trim level, and sells for a more reasonable $26,637. (We and others had complained about having to buy the whole farm just to get the big mill.) The 3.5XS is distinguished by unique matte-black exterior trim and comes only in Solano Black or Phoenix Red. As with all of its siblings, both two and four-wheel drive are available.
Curiously, Mitsubishi expects about 65 percent of Montero Sport buyers to select two-wheel drive. Although truck-based and fully capable of 4x4 adventure, most Montero Sports will live out their lives as hip, luxurious, suburban station wagons.