And choosing bull low means there won't be many roadway obstacles that can thwart your progression. Mitsubishi set up a fairly demanding off-road course to demonstrate the Montero's 4x4 manners and I have to admit it was up to the task. That said it's not like Mitsubishi would set up a course that the SUV would not be able to accomplish, but having driven a fair number of competitive sport-utilities where they were not designed to go I felt comfortable and confident in the Montero.
After running through a long but fairly easy sand trap the course made a sharp right toward an extremely tall (about 9 m or 30 ft) heap of dirt. Its commendable 39 degree approach and 18 degree departure angle made scaling the rather sharp vertical almost anticlimactic. Even when starting from standstill at mid-climb the traction control assisted 4WD bit into the wet dirt, gripping at all corners and then launching the big 2,170 kg (4,784 lb) Montero Limited forward with ease. The trip down the other side was made easier being that it was possible to see where I was going - those familiar with off-road excursions will attest that the trip up can often be filled only with blue sky (on a good day). Again the 4-sensor, 4-channel 'MultiMode' ABS equipped 4-wheel disc brakes dug the P265/70/R16 mud and snow tires into the dirt only enough to slow down, but not so much to skid. Incidentally the tires are wrapped around standard 16 x 7 inch aluminum alloy wheels.
I continued across a makeshift creek filled with muddy water and slippery logs, changed direction to the left and headed for a radical balancing test. A long grouping of large logs had been placed a meter (39 in) or so taller on one side of the pathway than the other, causing an extremely uncomfortable 'get-to-know-your-partner-well' sideways lean (I recommend a look at the photo gallery). Fortunately the well bolstered seats held most of me in place while I negotiated this awkward stage only to plop down on the other side and repeat the process leaning in the opposite direction. The remainder of the route was more of a breather thank goodness, allowing opportunity to test out the Montero's relatively tight 11.4 m (37.4 ft) turning circle a couple of times before heading up a short, steep embankment to the starting position. I did the circuit a few times just for fun, getting a little more comfortable with the truck and the course with each pass.