Acceleration

Limited	Class Average
4	5

Adequate pep for most conditions. Still, passing or merging with fast-moving traffic requires either a heavy throttle foot, using the automatic transmission's manual shift feature, or both.

Fuel Economy

Limited	Class Average
3	3.8

Averaged 14.4 mpg in our tests. Mitsubishi recommends premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Limited	Class Average
5	5.4

Curiously stiff on sharp ridges and cracks, and big tires transmit even small bumps. But suspension does limit wallow over moguls and allows only minor fore/aft pitching.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Limited	Class Average
3	4.1

Feels ponderous in urban traffic, slightly tippy on tight twisty roads. Steering accurate, if a bit overboosted. Gusty crosswinds induce mild highway wander, unsurprising in a tall boxy wagon. Good braking power is easily modulated, but simulated panic stops often induce queasy body bobble.

Quietness

Limited	Class Average
5	5.2

Engine decently quiet in gentle cruising, rather raucous at high rpm. Tire noise modest on most surfaces. Wind rush rises sharply with speed.

Controls

Limited	Class Average
6	6.3

Dashboard looks busy but works pretty well. Some secondary functions display on dashboard screen that can be hard to see in bright sunlight. And 4WD lever blocked by shifter. Standard leather upholstery, wood-rim steering wheel add class, but materials more truck-sturdy than car-elegant. Smooth control action, rattle-free assembly.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Limited	Class Average
7	6.7

Comfortable, spacious seats. Commanding driver positioning, but the long of leg may want more rearward seat travel. Trio of rear headrests interfere with aft visibility. Unusually large sunroof opening.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Limited	Class Average
6	6.2

Second-row bench wide enough for three adults and has good knee clearance. But toe space tight, cushion flat and uncomfortably low to floor. Tall step-in, narrow floor passages impede entry/exit. Cramped, hard-to-access 3rd-row seat is strictly for toddlers.

Cargo Room

Limited	Class Average
9	8.3

Large cargo door opens from street side to reasonably low load deck. Little cargo space behind 3rd-row seat, but that folds into floor to open up ample volume. Plentiful cabin storage includes bi-level glovebox and center console, several small cubbies.

Value within Class

Limited	Class Average
4	5.7

Montero delivers a solid build, 3-row seating, versatile 4WD, and standard traction/antiskid control. But the lack of curtain side airbags betrays an aging design. So do mediocre performance and trucklike ride and handling. Poor fuel economy and the Mitsubishi brand's weak resale values round out Montero's list of demerits.

Total Score

Limited	Class Average
52	56.7

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		43
Average Score		56
High Score		66