2025 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Black Series: Blacked-out Midsize SUV Delivers a Full-Size SUV Knock-out Punch

The Filipino’s love affair with sport utility vehicles (SUVs) actually and truly started when Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) launched their Mitsubishi Pajero 5-door high-roof wagon more around 40 years ago. It was the middle of the “go-go” 1980s when businesses were making a fortune and large vehicles were the ultimate status symbol. Movie stars, celebrities, and popular athletes, such as PBA basketball star Alvin Patrimonio, arrived in style in Pajeros. Even neophyte wet-behind-the-ears politicians who joined the Cory government in 1986 were overhead muttering, “Donde es mi Pajero? (Where’s my Pajero?)”

Of course, competitors took notice of the Pajero’s popularity and status in the Philippines and launched their own full-size SUVs. Nissan’s Patrol became an integral part of the Presidential convoy; Ford’s Expedition became the status symbol of the mid-90’s to early 2000s; and Toyota’s Land Cruiser is the current status symbol among the wealthy and wannabes. Sadly, after four generations and a 40-year run, the Pajero was discontinued because of its increasingly expensive price and declining popularity. Mitsubishi wisely decided to focus on the “more affordable” and inherently popular mid-size SUV market with their Montero Sport.

Midsize Dimensions, Full-size Performance

Filipino buyers didn’t immediately warm up to the boxy first-generation Mitsubishi Montero Sport simply because they found the larger and iconic Pajero as a shapely, more upmarket status symbol. However, when the second-generation Montero Sport was introduced, it somehow captured the buyers’ hearts and opened their purses. It became quite popular and competed mightily against its competitors that an alleged black propaganda surfaced about its supposed sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) tendencies. Despite the negative publicity made by the SUA allegations, the Montero Sport sold as fast as Mitsubishi can make them.

The third and current Mitsubishi Montero Sport generation was introduced here in the Philippines in January 2016 with four variants – GLS 4×2 A/T, GLS Premium 4×2 A/T, GLS 4×4 M/T, and GT 4×4 A/T. During its 10-year production run, this mid-size Mitsubishi SUV has undergone several updates, including a facelift in October 2019 and another in June 2024, to keep it fresh and current. The trend towards minimal chrome accessories compelled the introduction of the Montero Sport Black Series in 2022, which later replaced the GT 4×4 A/T variant.

If It Ain’t Broke…

Mitsubishi wisely heeded the age-old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and continued producing the Montero Sport with the same winning formula since its inception nearly 10 years ago. It’s still the same midsize 5-door SUV that’s around 4.8 meters long, 1.8 meters wide and 1.8 meters high. By moving the driving lights to the sides, the “fluffy cheeks” of the pre-facelift Montero Sport now looks more chiseled and masculine. The black grille adds a sleek, strong streamlined look while the grille illumination enhances visibility and adds a futuristic vibe.

Our Black Series media demo unit feature a sleek black roof with matching black roof rails and a power sunroof with sliding and tilting functions. The electric rear tailgate now features a hands-free operation where a motion of your foot will automatically lift the tailgate, which would come in handy when you need an extra hand to help you load stuff into the back of the Montero Sport. The rear tailgate opening is wide while the loading capacity varies from 131 dry liters with the 3rd row seat up; 502 dry liters with the 3rd row seats folded and stored; and a cavernous 1,575 dry liters with the 3rd and 2nd row seats folded.

Full-Size 4×4 Performance     

The 4N15 MIVEC 2.4-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder engine produces around 179 horsepower that allows our Black Series to cruise comfortably at 100km/h on the toll ways with a full capacity of seven occupants and some stuff at the back. With 430 Newton-meters of torque, it can accelerate from a standing start quickly and smartly while an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel multiplies the power and torque much more efficiently and effectively than the first-generation Pajero could muster. After all, automotive technology has changed so much in the past four decades.

Even though we can toggle between two-wheel drive (2WD, 2H) and four-wheel drive (4WD, 4H) using the rotary Drive Mode Selector of Mitsubishi’s proprietary Super Select 4WD-II, we kept it in 2H since we just drove around the city during our temporary custody of this Montero Sport. Although, it was quite reassuring to know that we can engage 4HLc and 4LLc when the going gets really, really tough. And because our Black Series is an authentic 4×4 off-road vehicle, it has a 30° approach angle and a 24.2° departure angle to tackle rugged terrains. We’re just not sure if we have the guts to scratch that shiny gray metallic paintjob when we go off-roading.

Smooth, Urbanized Ride

Despite its 4×4 off-roading capabilities, our Black Series’ 2.8-meter wheelbase works together with the front independent double wishbone suspension and rear 3-link torque arm, with coil springs and stabilizer bars front and rear, to provide a quiet, comfortable yet sure-footed ride. Brakes are ventilated discs on all four corners while black 18-inch 6-spoke six-lug aluminum alloy wheels are wrapped with meaty 265/60HR18 Toyo A32 Open Country tires to provide the footprint this midsize Mitsubishi SUVs needs on paved roads or off.

Inside, luxury, comfort and space await the driver and passengers. Two-tone synthetic leather seats with large diamond stitching in the mid-section are nicely padded and designed for long-distance travelling comfort. The driver’s and front passenger seats are power-adjustable. The second-row seats have a center armrest and the rear seatback is manually adjustable for recline. Two adults can fit comfortably in the 3rd row seat. The driver faces an adjustable 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel, an 8-inch color LCD instrument panel and an 8-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, with all the controls within easy reach. 6 speakers with 2 tweeters clearly reproduce our favorite music that we plugged into one of the two USB ports in the center console.

Full-Size Safety, Midsize Fuel Efficiency

As expected from a high-value Japanese SUV, the Montero Sport Black Series comes with a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to enhance the safety of its occupants. Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Override System (BOS) and Brake Assist all work together to safely stop the vehicle. Multi-Around View Monitor and Reverse Sensors actively help the driver during tight maneuvers while Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) help the driver avoid collisions.

As if to silence its critics, Mitsubishi installed its high-tech UMS ultrasonic misacceleration mitigation system to avoid any recurrence of SUA with this current Montero Sport generation. Additionally, Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) are all designed to make driving this midsize SUV convenient, safe and easy. We also found it especially convenient that the Electronic Parking Brake is automatically engaged when “Park” is selected.

Facing Tougher Competition

During our weeklong stewardship of the Black Series, we drove it on the Skyway, the toll ways, on EDSA and on city streets but never off the beaten path. Because of our busy schedule, and partly because of the foul weather, we did not have a chance to test its 4×4 off-road capabilities. Besides, we don’t have the heart to take such a pristine and fresh-looking 9,600-kilometer Montero Sport out to the boondocks during a thunderstorm and get it all soiled and muddied. However, we were able to record a best average fuel mileage of around 15.9 kilometers per liter (km/L) on the highways (Ugh… blame the heavy rush hour traffic on the tollways and the rains) and between 8.7 km/L and 10.1 km/L around the city. (Ugh… blame the heavy everyday traffic in the city and the rains.)

With a price tag of P2.502 Million, the 2025 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Black Series currently faces a tough battle. While it has the features and the class of a full-size SUV that cost twice or even thrice as much, it has to compete with other popular midsized SUVs (Ford Everest, Isuzu Mu-X, Nissan Terra, Toyota Fortuner) as well as equally-capable but lower priced competitors from Korean and Chinese car brands. However, after driving it around for a week, we believe that it will appeal to most people who once had a Pajero, or dreamed of having a Pajero, or bought a second-hand Pajero to fulfill their dream and are now ready to buy a brand-new SUV.

We can only quote a line from the 1992 action movie “Passenger 57” when Wesley Snipes’ character John Cutter confidently said, “Always bet on black.”

Specifications

Vehicle Type: Front-engine, 4WD, 5-door mid-size SUV

Price: P2,502,000

Engine: 4N15 MIVEC inline 4-cylinder two-stage turbo direct injection diesel

Displacement: 2,440 cc

Maximum power: 181 PS (179 hp) @ 3,500 rpm

Maximum torque: 430 Nm @ 2,500 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

4WD system: Super Select 4WD-II

Wheelbase: 2,800 mm

Length: 4,825 mm

Width: 1,815 mm

Height: 1,835 mm

Cargo capacity: 131/502/1575 L

Minimum ground clearance: 218 mm

Turning radius: 5.5 m

Wading depth: 700 mm

Approach angle: 30°

Departure Angle: 24.2°

Front suspension: Independent, double wishbones with coil springs

Rear suspension: Rear 3-link torque arm with coil springs

Front brakes: Ventilated discs

Rear Brakes: Ventilated discs

Steering system: Rack and pinion with electric assistance (EPAS)

Wheels: 18-inch alloys

Tires: 265/60R18