What Makes the 2019 Montero Sport a Top SUV Choice for Adventure Seekers?

As an automotive journalist who's driven everything from rugged off-roaders to luxury cruisers, I've developed a particular appreciation for vehicles that genuinely deliver on their adventure promises. When Mitsubishi lent me the 2019 Montero Sport for a week-long test drive through various terrains, I approached it with both professional curiosity and personal excitement. Having experienced numerous SUVs that claim off-road capability but deliver mostly pavement performance, I was pleasantly surprised by how thoroughly the Montero Sport won me over.

Let me start with what initially caught my attention - the design philosophy behind this vehicle. Mitsubishi seems to have understood something fundamental about modern adventure seekers: we want capability without sacrificing comfort, and ruggedness without compromising style. The Montero Sport's bold front grille and distinctive LED lighting create an immediate presence that says "serious business," while the 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires hint at its dual-purpose nature. During my time with the vehicle, I took it through everything from highway commutes to rocky trails in the Santa Monica mountains, and it handled each environment with impressive composure. The 2.4-liter MIVEC diesel engine delivers 181 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque - numbers that translate to real-world capability when you're climbing steep grades or passing slower vehicles on mountain roads. What impressed me most wasn't just the power itself, but how smoothly it was delivered across the RPM range, making technical off-road maneuvers feel surprisingly manageable.

Now, you might wonder why I'm discussing what appears to be a standard SUV review when we're talking about adventure-seeking. Here's where my perspective might diverge from traditional automotive analysis. I've come to view modern vehicles, especially adventure-focused SUVs, through a lens similar to how gamers approach special edition packages in their favorite titles. Think about it - when you purchase a special edition game with a season pass, you're not just buying the base experience. You're investing in future content, additional characters, cosmetic enhancements, and various goodies that enrich your overall experience over time. The 2019 Montero Sport functions similarly for adventure enthusiasts. Its core capabilities serve as your "base game," while the various features and technologies act as your season pass content that continuously enhances every journey.

The comparison becomes particularly relevant when we examine the Montero Sport's available features. The Super Select 4WD-II system isn't just a single setting; it's multiple "DLC characters" for different terrain types - 2WD for efficiency, 4WD Auto for variable conditions, 4WD Lock for challenging trails, and low-range gearing for serious off-roading. Each mode fundamentally changes how the vehicle behaves, much like selecting different characters in a game adapts your playstyle. The 360-degree camera system and multi-around monitor? Those are your cosmetic and utility upgrades, providing enhanced visibility that transforms tricky maneuvers from stressful to straightforward. During my off-road testing, these systems proved invaluable when navigating tight trails where precise wheel placement meant the difference between smooth progress and potential damage.

Where the vehicle truly shines, in my opinion, is how it balances high-tech features with genuine mechanical capability. Many modern SUVs have become so focused on technology that they've lost their mechanical soul, but the Montero Sport maintains that perfect equilibrium. The electronically controlled suspension adapts to changing conditions while still providing the robust foundation needed for serious off-pavement travel. I particularly appreciated the hill descent control during a particularly steep, rocky decline that would have required careful brake modulation in less capable vehicles. Instead, I simply set my desired speed and focused on steering, arriving at the bottom with confidence rather than anxiety. This integration of electronic aids with mechanical excellence reminds me of how the best games blend stunning graphics with deep gameplay mechanics - neither aspect feels compromised.

Practical considerations matter tremendously for adventure vehicles, and here the Montero Sport delivers what I consider exceptional value. With seating for seven passengers and up to 1,633 liters of cargo space with the third row folded, it accommodates both people and gear without forcing the "what do we leave behind" conversation that plagues many adventures. During my testing, I managed to fit two mountain bikes (with front wheels removed), camping gear for four people, and a week's worth of supplies without resorting to external racks or trailers. The 500mm water wading depth might seem like a spec sheet number until you encounter an unexpectedly deep water crossing, as I did during a sudden desert downpour. That capability provides peace of mind that's difficult to quantify until you need it.

Fuel efficiency often becomes the Achilles' heel of capable SUVs, but the Montero Sport's diesel powerplant achieves what I measured as approximately 12.5 km/L in mixed driving - respectable numbers for a vehicle of this size and capability. Over my 800 kilometers of testing across various conditions, the fuel economy remained consistently in this range, only dipping to around 9 km/L during aggressive off-road driving. These numbers matter because adventure vehicles need range and efficiency as much as they need capability - there's little point in reaching remote locations if you're constantly worrying about your next fuel stop.

What ultimately won me over wasn't any single feature, but how everything worked together to create what I'd describe as a "confidence multiplier." The Montero Sport doesn't just transport you to adventures; it enhances the entire experience by removing barriers and concerns that often accompany off-pavement travel. The comfortable seats and excellent sound insulation make long highway journeys pleasant, while the robust construction and capable systems ensure you arrive ready for whatever challenges your destination presents. It's this holistic approach to adventure mobility that sets the vehicle apart in a crowded segment. After my week with the Montero Sport, I found myself genuinely missing it when I returned to my regular vehicle - the highest compliment I can pay any test vehicle. For adventure seekers weighing their options in the competitive midsize SUV market, the 2019 Montero Sport deserves serious consideration as a complete package that delivers both immediate satisfaction and long-term adventure capability.