2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport 3.5 XS 4WD Sport Utility Wagon 4WD Japan Because the Montero Sport underwent an update last year, this midsize SUV pretty much remains static for 2001. You can now get the base level ES trim in a 4WD configuration, and later this year, the XS trim level debuts, with the 3.5-liter V6 from the pricey Limited model. A Lower Anchor Tether Child (LATCH) restraint system comes standard, and the light trucks meet LEV standards. Enthusiastic 3.5-liter V6 on Limited and XS, attractive inside and out, comfortable front seats. Overly soft suspension, lethargic transmission, sloppy steering. Blame it on a lack of imagination on the part of Mitsubishi's name-creating factory, but the Montero Sport bears little resemblance to the full-size Montero, especially with this year's dramatic redesign of the bigger sibling. The Montero Sport is currently available in four trim levels: ES, LS, XLS and Limited. Each trim level comes in 2WD or 4WD. All 2001 Montero Sports are powered by one of two 24-valve, SOHC V6 engines: the 3.0-liter model or the 3.5-liter version. Coming soon to a dealership near you is the XS, equipped with the more powerful V6 and sporty trim inside and out. Standard on all but the Limited and XS models is the smaller 3.0-liter, 173-horsepower engine. ES buyers receive power windows and door locks, single CD player, rear window wiper/washer and an overhead console with digital clock, map lights and compartments for sunglasses, garage door openers and security cards. Consumers stepping up to the LS will get three-spoke, 16-inch alloy wheels, tube-style side steps, a luggage rack, antilock brakes, driver's seat-height adjuster, 60/40 split-folding rear seat and tinted privacy glass. The Montero Sport XLS adds integrated fog lamps, eight-spoke alloy wheels, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and outside thermometer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and remote keyless entry. The Limited trim level comes standard with a 3.5-liter, 200-horsepower V6 engine. Other standard features on the Limited include body-colored door handles, mirrors and fender flares, integrated side steps, power sunroof, machine-finished alloy wheels and rear seat heaters. Even with the larger engine, we found the Montero Sport to be underpowered when gaining elevation at a steady pace, with its four-speed transmission hunting for the appropriate gears. Slipping into four-wheel drive on-the-fly is easy with Montero Sport's well-placed shift lever, and there are seven available grab handles when the road gets rough. The interior layout is ergonomically sound and user-friendly, though door handles seem small and the stereo buttons are cluttered. The Montero Sport's ergonomically sound and user-friendly interior features a center console with two cupholders, multiple power outlets, seats with lumbar support, two-tone trim and attractive fabrics. Outside, the vehicle shows off a body-colored front bumper, cross-hatch black grille, black tailgate garnish, striking bodyside molding, 16-inch alloy wheels, and 255/70 tires for the LS, XLS and Limited. Mitsubishi offers a limited-slip differential for both 2WD and 4WD models, available as part of the XLS premium package or standard on the Limited. Not that you'd want to take this rogue on any serious dirt trails -- a combination of a soft suspension system and less-than-razor-sharp steering prohibits it from being an off-roader for anything more serious than the mucky parking lot of the Corn Cob Festival. Although the Montero Sport deserves consideration for your next SUV purchase, it shouldn't be a sole contender merely based upon its looks. Chevrolet Blazer Ford Explorer Nissan Pathfinder Toyota 4Runner 336,000 560,000 336,000 7100,000 NA NA NA 6 3.5 liters V6 197 hp @ 5000 rpm 223 ft-lbs. @ 3500 rpm 79 cu.ft. 1275 lbs. 5000 lbs. 181.1 in. 69.9 in. 68.3 in. 4275 lbs. 107.3 in. 38.8 ft. 8.7 in. 38.9 in. 37.3 in. NA NA NA NA 42.8 in. 33.5 in. 5 Standard Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Not Tested Rating = Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested 19.5 gal. 17 mpg / 21 mpg 332 mi. / 410 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. $26,077 $28,667 7.35% $545 N/A 2% of the Base MSRP ES 2WD (4A): 3L V-6 SOHC MPI 24-valve engine; 4-speed electronic overdrive automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 60 amp alternator; transmission oil cooler; rear-wheel drive, 4.64 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent double-wishbone suspension with anti-roll bar, front torsion springs, front torsion bar, rigid rear axle multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; power-assisted recirculating ball steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 19.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; front and rear mud flaps, skid plate(s), side impact bars; liftgate rear cargo door; front and rear body-colored bumpers with front and rear tow hooks, rear step bumper; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote black folding outside mirrors; 15" x 6" silver steel wheels; P235/75SR15 BSW M+S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; air conditioning; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature,single-disc CD player, 4 speakers, fixed antenna; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, child-safety rear door locks, remote fuel door release; 3 power accessory outlets, front lighter element(s), driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, ashtray; analog instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temp gauge, in-overhead console clock, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down function, fixed 1/4 vent windows; fixed interval front windshield wipers, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 4-way adjustment, lumbar support, passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment; full folding rear reclining bench seat with adjustable headrests; height-adjustable frontseatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, full overhead console with storage, locking glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel covered bin, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo tie downs, cargo light; black grille, black side windows moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles. ES 4WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of ES 2WD (4A) equipment): 85 amp alternator; part-time 4-wheel drive, auto locking hub control and manual shift, 4.9 axle ratio; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; black bodyside molding black fender flares; underbody mounted full-size alloy spare wheel; 6 speakers; cruise control; deep tinted windows; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, rear window wiper; driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment; 60/40 folding rear reclining bench seat with adjustable headrests, center armrest; interior lights include 2 door curb lights; front and rear cupholders, and interior concealed storage. LS 2WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of ES 4WD (4A) equipment): Rear-wheel drive; front disc/rear drum brakes; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels; P255/70SR16 BSW M+S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; remote keyless entry, and panic alarm. 3.5 XS 2WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of LS 2WD (4A) equipment): 3.5L V-6 SOHC MPI 24-valve engine; roof rack; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; leather-wrapped gearshift knob; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment. XLS 2WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of 3.5 XS 2WD (4A) equipment): 3L V-6 SOHC MPI 24-valve engine; running boards; front and rear colored bumpers with front and rear tow hooks, rear step bumper; body-colored bodyside molding colored fender flares; clearcoat lower accent two-tone paint; power retractable antenna; analog instrumentation display includes compass, exterior temp; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; premium cloth seats; interior lights include illuminated entry; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; mini overhead console locking glove box; cargo cover, and chrome grille. LS 4WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of XLS 2WD (4A) equipment): Part-time 4-wheel drive, auto locking hub control and manual shift; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; front and rear body-colored bumpers with front and rear tow hooks, rear step bumper; black bodyside molding black fender flares; clearcoat monotone paint; underbody mounted full-size alloy spare wheel; fixed antenna; full overhead console with storage, and; black grille. 3.5 XS 4WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of LS 4WD (4A) equipment): 3.5L V-6 SOHC MPI 24-valve engine; roof rack; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; leather-wrapped gearshift knob; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment. XLS 4WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of 3.5 XS 4WD (4A) equipment): 3L V-6 SOHC MPI 24-valve engine; running boards; rear step bumper; body-colored bodyside molding colored fender flares; clearcoat lower accent two-tone paint; power retractable antenna; analog instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temp gauge, in-overhead console clock, compass, exterior temp, trip odometer; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; premium cloth seats; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights, 2 door curb lights, illuminated entry; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; mini overhead console locking glove box, cargo cover, cargo net, concealed cargo storage, and chrome grille. LTD 2WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of XLS 4WD (4A) equipment): 3.5L V-6 SOHC MPI 24-valve engine; rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential; front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock brakes; running boards; front express open sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; front and rear body-colored bumpers with front and rear tow hooks, rear step bumper; body-colored bodyside molding body-colored fender flares; clearcoat monotone paint; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; full-size steel spare wheel; rear heater; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, single-disc CD player, 8 premium speakers, amplifier, theft deterrent, power retractable diversity antenna; leather seats, leatherette door trim insert; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; chrome grille, and body-colored door handles. LTD 4WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of LTD 2WD (4A) equipment): Part-time 4-wheel drive, auto locking hub control and manual shift, limited-slip differential, 4.9 axle ratio; underbody mounted full-size alloy spare wheel; analog instrumentation display includes tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temp gauge, volt gauge, in-overhead console clock, compass, exterior temp, trip odometer; cargo net, and concealed cargo storage.