Costa Rican Montero Sport

[sangiami]

I live in the US, and own both a 2016 Toyota 4Runner and a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. I recently traveled to Costa Rica, and rented a recent Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

I remember the Montero Sport from the early 2000s -- I looked at buying one when I bought my 2000 Jeep Cherokee. They've not been sold in the US for many years.

I thought it was an ideal vehicle for the Costa Rican roads, which can be narrow, rough, steep, and muddy. The Montero was slightly smaller than my 4Runner, but comfortably housed my family of 4, which includes 2 adult sized teenagers, and all of our luggage. The diesel motor had plenty of torque for steep climbs, and the suspension eagerly soaked up the potholes on the unpaved roads. On the highway, the Montero cruised smoothly at speed. Frankly, it rode better than the Jeep on paved roads. The styling is interesting and unique.

I'm not sure why Mitsubishi doesn't sell the Montero Sport in the states -- it would be a welcome change from Mitsubishi's lineup of bland crossovers. The diesel motor would never fly here, but this chassis would be great with a 2.5 liter turbo.

Has anyone else driven a recent Montero Sport? If so, what are your impressions?

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[Toasty]

I want one with the 6B31 V6 and Aisin 10 speed auto, Mitsubishi America actually had these here testing them and even teased publicly about it's release but then Nissan did their hostile takeover and it was shelved indefinitely. They're much better trucks than people think, bridging the gap between our Gen2 and Gen 3 Monteros.

 

[sangiami]

Toasty, I did not know that Mitsubishi considered bringing them the US, it's a shame that they changed course. Maybe they will reconsider given how strong the market for capable 4x4s seems to be now.


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[bartheil]

It's one of many pick-up truck based vehicles that you don't get in the US.
Toyota Fortuner = HiLux with a trunk
Pajero/Montero Sport = ?D200 with a trunk
Ford Everest = Ranger with a trunk
2018 Chevrolet TrailBlazer = Colorado with a trunk (I have this one and I love it)
There are a few more but I can't remember them.

 

[Toasty]

Toasty, I did not know that Mitsubishi considered bringing them the US, it's a shame that they changed course. Maybe they will reconsider given how strong the market for capable 4x4s seems to be now.


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Probably never going to happen now, thanks Nissan.

 

[plh]

These are all built in Thailand, plant is at capacity. Not so easy to tool up another facility.

 

[Toasty]

These are all built in Thailand, plant is at capacity. Not so easy to tool up another facility.

I wouldn't want them to either, American workers have shown us they are incapable of properly assembling a Mitsubishi as seen in the quality between the American made and Japanese Outlander Sports. I will say though the Thai built vehicles are solid, I don't think you can wear out a Mirage.

 

[plh]

I wouldn't want them to either, American workers have shown us they are incapable of properly assembling a Mitsubishi as seen in the quality between the American made and Japanese Outlander Sports. I will say though the Thai built vehicles are solid, I don't think you can wear out a Mirage.

After doing business there for the past 15 years in the tier 1 automotive sector, I100% agree with the great Thailand quality. It is amazing how many OEMs have located manufacturing there as well, mostly as a manufacturing hub to serve Southeast Asia. The 300% import duty on assembled autos to be sold in Thailand has very much helped their effort to become the leader in local assembly the area. Also noted, one of the best car & truck culture countries I have visited.

 

[sangiami]

Toasty,

The interesting thing is that, since killing the XTerra, Nissan does not sell a vehicle in this market segment in the US. The Montero Sport could have filled that gap for them, as well as bring some additional interest to the Mitsubishi brand.