2001MitsubishiMonteroMitsubishi Montero2001 Mitsubishi Montero LimitedSport UtilityWagon4WDOye, JapanThe Montero is redesigned for 2001 and features a sculpted body, stiffer frame, improved suspension and more interior room.Attractive outer shell, solid off-road ability, easy to stow third seat Lack of power from standard V6, no optional V8, mediocre interior materials.Celebrating its first major redesign since 1992, the Montero has been improved in almost every way. Mitsubishi addressed issues like interior seating and ride quality, exterior shape, feature content and even engine performance while keeping the original Montero's claim to off-road rally king in sight. Two trim levels are available, the base XLS and uplevel Limited. The most obvious improvement comes from the new Montero's sculpted shape, which replaces its former "tall box" look. The pronounced fender flares and swept-back headlights remind us of Toyota's Land Cruiser, which is not a bad thing. This updated shell sits on an all-new unibody structure with independent suspension both front and rear. A new rack-and-pinion steering design further enhances on-road driving manners, making the Montero more pleasant for soccer mom (or dad) duty. Also improved for 2001 are passenger accommodations. Cargo volume is up 15 cubic feet for a total of 82. Front- and middle-row passengers gain head-, hip-, leg- and shoulder room. Third row passengers are still cramped with a scant 19.4 inches of legroom, but the third row seat itself now folds completely flat for easy storage like the Honda Odyssey and Mazda MPV. Side air bags are standard on both XLS and Limited models. Mitsubishi worked to improve the Montero's 3.5-liter V6, but in our opinion this full-sized SUV needs either a more powerful V6 or an optional V8. Horsepower is up by three and torque is up by 12 foot-pounds, giving the 2001 Montero 200 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 235 foot-pounds of torque at a user-friendly 3500 rpm. These numbers translate to adequate around-town performance with a single occupant, but load up all seven of those seats and/or hook a trailer to the Montero's rear bumper, and forward progress, or lack thereof, would likely become a issue. A unique (at least for a SUVs) transmission is found on the new Montero. While the base XLS gets a standard-issue four-speed automatic, Limited models come equipped with a five-speed manumatic transmission. Similar to the manumatic found in Mitsubishi's new Eclipse, this transmission allows for easy upshifts and downshifts by placing the shifter in a separate gate. The Limited also gets an improved version of Mitsubishi's ActiveTrac four-wheel drive system. A torque-sensing limited-slip rear differential is standard on the Limited and optional on the Montero XLS. Montero's feature list is rather impressive. Base XLS models get improved antilock brakes, electronic brake distribution, a 100-watt audio system with CD player, remote keyless entry, dual glove boxes and three 12-volt power outlets. Step up to the Limited and you get a leather interior with wood trim, heated front seats, a 175-watt audio system and a LCD multi-function display. Automatic climate control is optional on the Limited. Almost all of the ingredients for success are in place. If Mitsubishi could give the Montero some serious power, they would have a serious entry to compete in the upper end of the midsize SUV market. GMC JimmyIsuzu TrooperJeep Grand CherokeeToyota 4Runner336,000560,000336,0007100,00011.6 sec.136 ft.0.6963.5 litersV6200 hp @ 5000 rpm235 ft-lbs. @ 3000 rpm96 cu.ft.1165 lbs.5000 lbs.188.9 in.73.9 in.73.1 in.4675 lbs.109.5 in.37.4 ft.9.3 in.38.9 in.37.7 in.NANANANA42.7 in.37.6 in.7StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedAcceptablePoor23.8 gal.13 mpg / 18 mpg309 mi. / 428 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$32,317$35,4977.35%$545N/A2% of the Base MSRPXLS (4A): 3.5L V6 SOHC MPI 24-valve engine; 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 490 amp battery; engine oil cooler; 85 amp alternator; driver's selectable multi-mode transmission, transmission oil cooler; part-time 4-wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and manual shift, 4.9 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 23.8 gal. capacity fuel tank; front and rear mud flaps, running boards, skid plates, side impact bars; conventional rear cargo door; roof rack; front and rear body-colored bumpers with front and rear tow hooks, rear step bumper; clearcoat lower accent two-tone paint; aero-composite halogen auto off headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote black folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels;P265/70SR16 M&S BSW tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, single-disc CD player, 6 speakers, theft deterrent, and fixed diversity antenna; cruise control; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, remote fuel door release; 3 power accessory outlets, front lighter element, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, in-dash clock, compass, exterior temp, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, low fuel, low washer fluid, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; deep tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function, manual 1/4 vent windows;variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, fixed-interval rear wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 7, front bucket seats with adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment, passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment; 2nd-row 60/40 folding rear reclining split-bench seat with adjustable headrests; removable 3rd-row bench seat with adjustable headrest; height-adjustable front seatbelts; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats; interior lights include dome light, front and rear reading lights, door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargocover, cargo tie downs, cargo light; black grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.
LIMITED (5A) (in addition to or instead of XLS (5A) equipment): 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; electronic shift, limited-slip differential, 4.3 axle ratio; front express open sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote chrome heated folding outside mirrors; 7 speakers, and power retractable diversity antenna; heated-cushion front bucket seats, driver's seat includes 8-way power adjustment, power 2-way lumbar support; leather seats, leatherette door trim insert, simulated wood trim on instrument panel and chrome grille.