2005 Mitsubishi Montero Limited Road Test

The 3.8-litre engine is slightly down on displacement compared to rival offerings, as well as power, ringing in at a lackluster 215-horsepower. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

While the rest of the world mulls over the fantastic 3.2-litre direct-injection inline-four 'DI-D' diesel, us diesel-despising North Americans make due with a gasoline V6. But you've got to wonder whether Mitsubishi would do better with a top-line diesel than it does with its anemic V6. Such an engine would help it stand out in a very competitive market, and if Jeep's new Liberty diesel is any example about North America's changing preferences towards oil burners, Mitsubishi just might have a niche hit on its hands. The way it comes now, at 3.8-litres, it's slightly down on displacement compared to rival offerings, as well as power, ringing in at a lackluster 215-horsepower. It's not all bad news, however, as the V6 churns out 248 lb-ft of torque, but even then it pales in comparison to some of its competitors which now offer larger sixes with higher outputs, or V8s.

Looking at numbers and numbers alone, the Montero is a true heavyweight at around 2,154 kilos (4,750 lbs), further blunting performance. On the plus side, the Montero's V6 is creamy smooth and plenty quiet, though it is a bit noisy after the first few minutes of a cold start. On a less positive note, since this engine is of the same origins as the Galant and Endeavor, premium fuel is recommended even with less power - something that may take most mainstream SUV buyers off guard. Fuel consumption is about average, rated at 15.7 L/100 km city, and 11.2

Shift quality is above average in terms of smoothness. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

highway (15/19 mpg). This said the engine is designed to run on regular unleaded too, with the only drawback being a slight reduction in output.

Fuel costs aside, numbers on paper are much different than on the road in the real world, where the Montero actually comes across as feeling fairly brisk. A super-sensitive go-pedal, and mid-pedal downshifts make keeping pace with traffic rather easy, while the five-speed automatic Sportronic gearbox makes the most of the engine's meager output.

Shift quality is above average in terms of smoothness, and surprisingly the transmission holds onto a given gear during long curves, uphill or when passing. When called to downshift, hesitation can be detected, but this can be overcome by slotting the gaiter into Sportronic mode, which allows you to down- and up-shift into any desired gear.