1998 Mitsubishi Montero Walkaround Review at Automotive.com
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Mitsubishi
Montero
1998

1998 Mitsubishi Montero Review: Exterior

Below is a full, detailed 1998 Mitsubishi Montero review and road test from New Car Test Drive. A full evaluation of price, equipment, the driving experience, and specs are all here in a structured, easy-to-navigate format from journalists with limitless ...     read more
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1998 Mitsubishi Montero Review

Less upright, but still grand.
Walkaround
Stylists face something of a dilemma when trying to make a practical vehicle look dashing: The most efficient

shape for carrying five people and luggage is, as always, a box. An engine has to go somewhere too, and the ideal

home for it is a smaller box. So the Montero Sport's basic design consists of two boxes.

But those boxes have been smoothed and rounded here, giving the Sport a sleek, distinctive look. Overall, the

styling is a success, though some viewers may find the chopped-top appearance strange at first. The oversized tires

and wheel opening extensions fitted to upscale Sports serve to exaggerate the visual mismatch between body and roof

line. We found it more attractive as familiarity increased because the Montero Sport's design sets it apart from the

rest of the sport-utility pack.

Buyers looking for a rugged look with the utility of a large, efficient station wagon will gravitate toward the

two-wheel-drive models, the base ES and the more powerful LS.

Those who real off-road capability will opt for one of the four-wheel-drive models. Montero Sport's 4WD system

includes a 2-speed shift-on-the-fly transfer case that provides low-range gearing for tough conditions and steep

hills. For extreme off-highway adventures, a choice of a limited-slip or a locking rear differential is available.

Two engines are available. The base model, the Montero Sport ES, is fitted with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine

that develops 134 horsepower and a 5-speed manual transmission.

All other Montero Sports are powered by a 173-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. Those models are: LS 2WD, LS 4WD, XLS 2WD

and XLS 4WD. All of them come with a 4-speed automatic transmission, except for the LS 4WD, which can be ordered

with a 5-speed manual.

Mitsubishi's V6 is a rugged, refined engine. We prefer it over the four-cylinder engine, finding that its increased

trailer-pulling ability and all-around civility more than compensate for a decrease in fuel economy. (The 2.4-liter

ES 2WD 5-speed is rated 22/25 mpg city/highway by EPA, while the 3.0-liter LS 2WD automatic gets 19/22. Probably

because of its taller top gear, the LS 4WD with automatic gets 18/21, while the LS 4WD with 5-speed only gets 17/20.)

Other differences between the models are confined largely to varying levels of standard equipment and the

availability of options. The top-of-the-line XLS comes standard with air conditioning, power sunroof, two-tone exterior

paint, fender flares, cruise control, leather upholstery and power windows, mirrors and door locks. These amenities

can be added to the two LS versions at extra cost. Anti-lock braking systems are optional on the two-wheel-drive models

and standard when four-wheel drive is ordered. (The base ES doesn't offer ABS). Next Page


1998 Mitsubishi Montero