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2006 Mitsubishi Montero Full Review
Date Published: 11/23/08
2006 Mitsubishi Montero Review
Mitsubishi's largest SUV soldiers into 2006 unchanged. Montero has a 215-hp V6 and a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate. Standard is Mitsubishi's ActiveTrac 4WD, which can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. Also included are ABS, traction/antiskid control, and front side airbags; curtain side airbags are unavailable. Montero has a side-opening cargo door. It seats seven via a 3rd-row bench that removes or folds flush with the cargo floor. Rear air conditioning and sunroof are among the standard features. DVD entertainment is the only factory option.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buys include Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Our Recommended picks are Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, Nissan Xterra, and Toyota 4Runner.

New or significantly redesigned models include Hummer H3, Jeep Commander, Pontiac Torrent, and Subaru B9 Tribeca.
News
The aging Montero heads out to pasture after 2006. A redesign was slated, but cash-strapped Mitsubishi says meager sales demand didn't justify the expense. Montero's demise leaves Mitsubishi's U.S. lineup without a truck-based SUV for the first time in its 25-year history.
2006 Mitsubishi Montero Road Test
Pros Cons
Passenger and cargo room Fuel economy
Steering/handling
Rear visibility
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
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
2006 Mitsubishi Montero Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 11/29/2005
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
Limited 4-door wagon $35,159 $34,061 $625
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Limited
Powertrain
3.8-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Front and rear air conditioning w/automatic climate control and rear controls, power steering, tilt wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats, 10-way power driver seat, 8-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholders, 2nd-row split folding seat, 3rd-row stowable seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, Infinity AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, power antenna, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, compass, outside-temperature indicator, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic-off headlights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, roof rails, rear privacy glass, running boards.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Front and rear tow hooks, skid plates, outside-mounted full-size spare tire, 265/65R17 tires, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Comfort and Convenience Features
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Rear-seat DVD entertainment system
Limited
$1,500
$1,308
Requires Sunroof Delete Pkg.
Sunroof Delete Pkg.
(credit)
$-1,050
$-916
Deletes power sunroof. Replaces in-dash 6-disc CD changer w/single-disc CD player. Requires rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
2006 Mitsubishi Montero Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Mitsubishi Montero 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 109.7
Overall Length, in. 190.2
Overall Width, in. 74.8
Overall Height, in. 74.2
Curb Weight, lbs. 4718
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 91.7
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 23.8
Seating Capacity 7
Front Head Room, in. 41.5
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.3
Rear Head Room, in. 40.6
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 35.2
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  sohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in. 3.8 /234
Horsepower @ rpm. 215 @ 5500
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 248 @ 3250
Availability Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
 
5-speed automatic 15/19
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Mitsubishi Montero 4-door wagon
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 10/100,000 --
Bumper-to-bumper 5/60,000 --
Corrosion 7/100,000 --
Free roadside assistance 5/unlimited --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: Japan
Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive
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