2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport - Review

One thing really sets the revised 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport apart from the competition: styling. Its industrial-looking, sharply creased sheet metal provides a dissenting alternative to the mainstream looks of most other SUVs.

A new bumper, grille, fog lights and a new black rear-tailgate garnish set the 2000 Montero Sport apart from the 1999 model. There are many other refinements in the interior, like a new front console, new interior fabrics, and new seats with adjustable back support for the driver.

But the improvements to the Montero Sport are not only skin deep. Under the rear of the vehicle, a new smoother-riding coil-spring suspension replaces the leaf-spring setup of the previous model. While it now rides better than the old Montero Sport, the ride is still a bit harsh when compared to other SUVs, such as the Ford Explorer.

Power is now provided exclusively by V-6 engines — the four that was available from 1997-99 is gone. The standard engine is now a 173-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6. The top-of-the-line Montero Sport Limited gets a 200-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6.

While neither engine makes the Montero Sport a rocket, both provide adequate power. Their only drawback is that they seem to lack low-end torque, an important feature considering the 4,000-pound heft of the truck they are supposed to propel. Otherwise, they provide smooth, quiet cruising on the highway.

The 2000 Montero Sport should be in showrooms any time now. Prices will range from $22,527 for the base two-wheel-drive ES model to $32,592 for a loaded four-wheel-drive Limited model.