From the Archive: 1994 luxury sport-ute showdown:
In the last couple go-arounds, the Montero hasn't won any standing ovations. In our most recent sport-utility test, it placed fourth among six vehicles, and a recent long-term hauler wasn't exactly memorable. This year's Montero SR comes with a new and more powerful engine, and some other refinements that have boosted its image.
It's a strange sight to see a tachometer on a sport-utility with a 7000-rprn redline. In terms of sophistication, Mitsubishi's all-new DOHC, 215-horsepower V-6 is very untrucklike, and took to high-speed interstate driving like a greyhound after a jackrabbit. That's a good sign in a vehicle that not too long ago could be charitably described as a turtle—quick enough to have come in second only to the speedy Jeep in nearly all the acceleration tests.
The driver's seat is comfortable for long trips and offers a commanding view of the road, as well as the truck. Mitsu's clever shock-absorbed driver's seat has bitten the dust for 1994, although we only missed it during rough off-roading. The dash-mounted inclinometer, altimeter, and compass can seem a bit unnecessary until you get lost on a dark, wintry Adirondack road, as did one of your humble servants.
The Montero performed unremarkably through the emergency lane-change course. But then, during one run, it got our attention when we almost rolled it. Given the tipsy-turvy manners of most sport-utility vehicles in emergency maneuvers, we'll chalk up that near-disaster to happenstance. As for its steering, we wish Mitsubishi would exorcise the on-center dead spot, but at least there's an airbag for the driver.
The Montero SR finished fourth, as it did in our May 1992 comparo, but this time it competed in a much pricier segment. Now that's a step in the right direction. —
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