Mitsubishi Montero

Specs at a glance: what the extra displacement actually buys

The 3.8 AT is the only 4 generation engine above 200 hp. Versus the 3.2 diesel it adds 85 hp and loses 52 Nm (329 vs 381). Versus the 3.0 six it adds 72 hp and 68 Nm. Versus the 3.5 six it adds 61 hp and 23 Nm. The diesel is the torque leader of the generation by 52 Nm over the 3.8 AT and by 120 Nm over the 3.0.

4 generation (2006-09-01 to 2014-01-31, SUV 3-doors) is the only generation with both a Turbo Diesel four and three Gasoline V-shaped sixes. Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres):

The 3.8 AT is the only 4 generation engine above 200 hp. Versus the 3.2 diesel it adds 85 hp and loses 52 Nm (329 vs 381). Versus the 3.0 six it adds 72 hp and 68 Nm. Versus the 3.5 six it adds 61 hp and 23 Nm. The diesel is the torque leader of the generation by 52 Nm over the 3.8 AT and by 120 Nm over the 3.0.

3 generation (1999-08-01 to 2006-08-31, SUV 3-doors) is where the 3.5 name splits by power and injection. Distinguish them:

• 3.5 AT 208 hp / 3.5 MT 208 hp — Distributed injection (multi-point), 300 Nm, compression 9.5, fuel 95
• 3.5 AT 200 hp / 3.5 MT 200 hp — same injection and 300 Nm, still 9.5
• 3.5 AT 203 hp — 318 Nm, compression 10.4
• 3.5 MT 220 hp / 3.5 AT 220 hp — Direct injection (direct), 348 Nm, compression not measured, ground clearance 235 mm (15 mm above the 220 mm used on the 200/203/208 hp 3.5 rows)

The 220 hp 3.5 pair is the torque peak of the gasoline sixes in this generation (348 Nm). That is 19 Nm more than the 250 hp 3.8 AT in the same generation (329 Nm) and 10 Nm more than the 215 hp 3.8 AT (338 Nm).

2 generation (1991-01-01 to 1999-07-31, SUV 3-doors) has no diesel. Two 3.0 outputs: 150 hp / 236 Nm and 180 hp / 255 Nm. The 180 hp 3.0 MT is 30 hp and 19 Nm above the 150 hp 3.0 MT. The 3.5 MT 208 hp is 58 hp and 64 Nm above the 150 hp 3.0 MT, and 28 hp and 45 Nm above the 180 hp 3.0 MT.

1 generation (1982-05-01 to 1991-01-31, SUV 5-doors — the only 5-door body in this model’s data) is the only generation with a Carburetor four (2.6 MT / 2.6 AT, 109 hp) and a small Turbo Diesel (2.5 MT / 2.5 AT, 84 hp; torque not measured). The 3.0 six here is 143 hp / 244 Nm — 7 hp below the later 150 hp 3.0 and 37 hp below the 180 hp 3.0.

Engine: same badge, different machine

Diesel: 3.2 versus 2.5

The 3.2 is an Inline 4, Turbo, 3200 cm³, 4 valves per cylinder, bore × stroke 98.5 × 105, compression 17, fuel Diesel.

• 4 generation 3.2 MT and both 3.2 AT rows: 165 hp at 3500 rpm, 381 Nm at 2000 rpm, 5 speeds.
• 3 generation 3.2 MT: 165 hp, 373 Nm, 5 Manual. 3.2 AT: 165 hp, 373 Nm, 4 Automatic.

The 4 generation diesel adds 8 Nm over the 3 generation diesel at the same 165 hp. It also adds mass: 4 generation kerb 2310 kg versus 2155 kg on 3 generation 3.2 MT (+155 kg). Weight per horsepower rises from 13.1 kg/hp to 14.0 kg/hp. 0–100 km/h goes from 12.0 s (3 generation 3.2 MT) to 13.2 s (4 generation 3.2 MT) — 1.2 s slower. Top speed rises from 170 to 177 km/h (+7). Mixed consumption rises from 9.7 to 10.5 L/100 km (+0.8). Highway: 8.1 versus 9.0. City: 12.5 versus 13.1.

The 3 generation 3.2 AT is the only diesel automatic with 4 speeds (not 5). Versus its own 3.2 MT it is 1.8 s slower to 100 km/h (13.8 vs 12.0) at the same 170 km/h top speed, and mixed use is 1.0 L/100 km higher (10.7 vs 9.7).

The 1 generation 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT is 84 hp from 2476 cm³ — 81 hp and 724 cm³ below the 3.2. Power per litre: 33.9 versus 51.6. Torque, 0–100, top speed, and consumption for the 2.5 are not measured. Boost is Turbo on both diesels. Drive is AWD on all of them.

Gasoline sixes: 3.0, 3.5, 3.8

All sixes in the data are V-shaped, 6 cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No.

3.0 (2972 cm³, bore 91.1 × 76) by generation:

• 1 generation: 143 hp / 244 Nm, compression 10, fuel 95, injection Distributed injection (multi-point)
• 2 generation 150 hp: 236 Nm, compression 8.9, fuel 92 — 7 hp more than 1 generation, 8 Nm less, compression 1.1 points lower
• 2 generation 180 hp: 255 Nm, compression 9, fuel 92 — 37 hp and 11 Nm above 1 generation 3.0
• 4 generation: 178 hp at 5250 rpm / 261 Nm at 4000 rpm, compression 10, fuel 92 — 2 hp below 2 generation’s 180 hp row, 6 Nm above it

3.5 (3497 cm³, 93 × 85.8):

• 2 generation 3.5 MT / 3.5 AT: 208 hp / 300 Nm, fuel 95, compression 9.5
• 3 generation repeats 208 hp and adds 200, 203, and 220 hp (see above)
• 4 generation 3.5 MT / 3.5 AT: 189 hp at 4750 rpm / 306 Nm at 3750 rpm, fuel 92, compression 9.5

4 generation’s 3.5 is 19 hp below 3 generation’s 208 hp 3.5 and 31 hp below the 220 hp 3.5, but torque is 6 Nm above the 208/200 hp rows (306 vs 300) and 42 Nm below the 220 hp Direct injection (direct) pair (348 Nm). Fuel grade drops from 95 to 92.

3.8 (3828 cm³, 95 × 90, fuel 95, Distributed injection (multi-point)):

• 3 generation 3.8 AT 215 hp / 338 Nm, compression 10, 0–100 9.9 s, top speed 184 km/h — the shortest measured sprint in the whole model
• 3 generation 3.8 AT 250 hp / 329 Nm (two rows: tanks 88 L and 90 L), compression 9.8, 0–100 10.8 s, 200 km/h
• 4 generation 3.8 AT 250 hp / 329 Nm (two rows: 69 L / 2035 kg / 220 mm and 88 L / 2215 kg / 225 mm), same 10.8 s and 200 km/h

The 215 hp 3.8 AT is 35 hp below the 250 hp 3.8 AT but 9 Nm stronger (338 vs 329) and 0.9 s quicker to 100 km/h (9.9 vs 10.8). It is 16 km/h slower at the top (184 vs 200). Consumption for the 215 hp 3.8 AT is not measured; for every 250 hp 3.8 AT with figures it is 17.7 / 11.2 / 13.5 L/100 km (city / highway / mixed).

Performance: manuals, automatics, and the 4-speed exceptions

Where both gearboxes exist on the same engine:

• 4 generation 3.2 MT 13.2 s vs 3.2 AT 14.0 s — automatic costs 0.8 s; both 177 km/h
• 4 generation 3.0 MT 12.6 s vs 3.0 AT 13.6 s — 1.0 s; both 175 km/h
• 4 generation 3.5 MT 12.6 s vs 3.5 AT 13.6 s — 1.0 s; MT top speed 175 km/h, 3.5 AT top speed not measured
• 3 generation 3.2 MT 12.0 s vs 3.2 AT 13.8 s — 1.8 s (this automatic is 4 speeds)
• 3 generation 3.5 MT 220 hp 10.7 s vs 3.5 AT 220 hp 11.7 s — 1.0 s; 190 vs 185 km/h
• 3 generation 3.5 MT 208 hp 10.7 s vs 3.5 AT 208 hp — automatic 0–100 and top speed not measured
• 3 generation 3.5 MT 200 hp 10.7 s vs 3.5 AT 200 hp — same gap in the data: MT measured, AT not measured

4-speed Automatic rows (not 5): 4 generation 3.5 AT 189 hp; 3 generation 3.2 AT; every 2 generation 3.0 AT and 3.5 AT; every 1 generation 2.5 AT, 2.6 AT, and 3.0 AT.

Fastest measured 0–100 in the catalogue: 3 generation 3.8 AT 215 hp at 9.9 s. Next: 3 generation 3.5 MT 208/200/220 hp at 10.7 s and 2 generation 3.5 MT at 10.5 s. Slowest measured: 4 generation 3.2 AT at 14.0 s. Highest measured top speed: 200 km/h on every 250 hp 3.8 AT. Lowest measured top speed: 165 km/h on 2 generation 3.0 MT 150 hp.

Fuel consumption and range (mpg-style use of L/100 km)

Best measured mixed figure: 3 generation 3.2 MT at 9.7 L/100 km. Next: 4 generation 3.2 MT 10.5 and 3.2 AT 10.6. Worst measured mixed: 2 generation 3.0 AT 180 hp at 14.7, then 2 generation 3.5 MT 14.5, then 3 generation 3.5 AT 208/200/220 hp at 14.2.

City: diesel best is 12.5 (3 generation 3.2 MT); gasoline best measured is 14.7 (2 generation 3.0 MT 180 hp). City worst measured is 19.5 on 3 generation 3.5 AT 208 hp and 200 hp (and the 203 hp 3.5 AT). Highway best is 8.1 (3 generation 3.2 MT); highway worst among measured diesels is 9.1 (4 generation 3.2 AT); highway worst among measured gasoline is 13.1 (2 generation both 180 hp 3.0 rows).

Tank sizes that change range arithmetic (tank ÷ mixed L/100 km, where mixed is measured):

• 4 generation 3.2 MT 69 L / 10.5 → 657 km; same engine with 88 L → 838 km (+181 km)
• 4 generation 3.2 AT 69 L / 10.6 → 651 km; 88 L → 830 km
• 4 generation 3.8 AT 69 L / 13.5 → 511 km; 88 L → 652 km
• 4 generation 3.0 / 3.5 MT 88 L / 12.2 → 721 km
• 3 generation 3.2 MT 90 L / 9.7 → 928 km (longest calculated mixed range in the set)
• 3 generation 3.5 MT 208 hp 88 L / 12.8 → 688 km; 90 L / 12.8 → 703 km
• 2 generation 3.0 MT 150 hp 92 L / 13.7 → 672 km; 3.5 MT 92 L / 14.5 → 634 km

CO2 and eco class are not measured on every version.

Dimensions, weight, clearance

Body: SUV 3-doors for 2, 3, and 4 generation; SUV 5-doors for 1 generation. Wheel sizes: not measured on every version. Front and rear suspension where listed: Independent, spring. Brakes: Ventilated disc front; rear label in the data is Disc ventilated.

Ground clearance:

• 205 mm: 2 generation 3.0 MT 180 hp and 3.0 AT 180 hp
• 210 mm: all other 2 generation rows; all 1 generation rows
• 220 mm: almost all 3 and 4 generation rows
• 225 mm: 4 generation 3.8 AT 250 hp with 88 L / 2215 kg
• 235 mm: 3 generation 3.5 MT 220 hp and 3.5 AT 220 hp

Kerb weight span among measured rows: 1485 kg (1 generation 2.6 MT, 60 L tank) to 2310 kg (4 generation diesels and 3.0 / 3.5 MT). That is +825 kg. Gross: measured from 2530 kg (4 generation 3.8 AT 69 L) to 3030 kg (several 4 generation rows). Payload where both kerb and gross exist: 4 generation 3.2 720 kg (3030−2310); 4 generation light 3.8 AT 495 kg (2530−2035); 4 generation 88 L 3.8 AT 695 kg (2910−2215); 3 generation 3.5 MT 208 hp 625 kg (2760−2135); 3 generation 3.2 MT 655 kg (2810−2155); 2 generation 3.0 MT 150 hp 605 kg (2650−2045).

Which version to choose

Need the least fuel on mixed cycles. 3 generation 3.2 MT (165 hp, 373 Nm, 9.7 mixed, 90 L). If you must have 4 generation sheet metal, 3.2 MT with the 88 L tank (10.5 mixed) beats the 69 L diesel on range by 181 km at the same 13.2 s.

Need an automatic diesel. 4 generation 3.2 AT is the only diesel automatic with 5 speeds (14.0 s, 177 km/h, 10.6 mixed). 3 generation 3.2 AT is 4 speeds, 13.8 s, 170 km/h, 10.7 mixed, kerb not measured, 90 L tank.

Need the shortest 0–100. 3 generation 3.8 AT 215 hp at 9.9 s. Consumption not measured; tank 90 L; kerb 2170 kg; clearance 220 mm. If you need 200 km/h instead of 184, the 250 hp 3.8 AT is 0.9 s slower and 16 km/h faster.

Need the most horsepower. Any 3.8 AT 250 hp (3 or 4 generation). Same 250 hp, 329 Nm, 10.8 s, 200 km/h. Pick 4 generation’s 2035 kg / 69 L row for the lowest kg/hp (8.1) and 220 mm; pick the 2215 kg / 88 L / 225 mm row for 5 mm extra clearance and 141 km extra mixed range (652 vs 511 km).

Need gasoline torque, not peak hp. 3 generation 3.5 MT 220 hp or 3.5 AT 220 hp: 348 Nm, Direct injection (direct), 235 mm clearance. The MT is 10.7 s and 190 km/h; the AT is 11.7 s and 185 km/h. Mixed 13.1 (MT) vs 14.2 (AT).

Need 4 generation gasoline without the 3.8. 3.0 MT (178 hp, 12.6 s, 12.2 mixed, 88 L, 92) matches 3.5 MT (189 hp) on 0–100 (both 12.6 s) and mixed (both 12.2) at 11 hp less and 45 Nm less. Power per litre favours the 3.0 (59.9 vs 54.0). 3.5 AT in 4 generation is the weak data row: 4 speeds, 0–100 13.6 s, top speed not measured, all three consumption figures not measured, kerb not measured.

Need the lightest measured kerb. 1 generation 2.6 MT 60 L at 1485 kg (109 hp, Carburetor, Inline 4). Next: 1 generation 3.0 MT 60 L at 1548 kg. Performance and consumption not measured on both.

Need a 2 generation daily. Prefer 3.5 MT 208 hp if 0–100 is measured (10.5 s, 185 km/h, 14.5 mixed) over 3.0 MT 150 hp (12.5 s, 165 km/h, 13.7 mixed): +58 hp, 2.0 s quicker, 20 km/h more top speed, 0.8 L/100 km more mixed. The 180 hp 3.0 MT is 1875 kg (170 kg below the 150 hp 3.0 MT’s 2045 kg) but 0–100 and top speed are not measured; mixed 13.8 is 0.1 above the 150 hp MT. Both 180 hp 3.0 rows sit at 205 mm, 5 mm below the 150/208 hp 2 generation rows.

Problems and reliability as numbers, not stories. The data do not record failure rates. What they do record: 4 generation is heavier than 3 generation on the shared diesel (2310 vs 2155 kg) and slower to 100 km/h (13.2 vs 12.0 on 3.2 MT) despite +8 Nm; 4 generation 3.5 is detuned 19 hp versus 3 generation’s 208 hp 3.5 and loses the 95 fuel / Direct injection (direct) 220 hp option; several automatics (3.5 AT 189 hp in 4 generation, 3.2 AT in 3 generation, all 2 and 1 generation automatics listed) use 4 speeds against 5 on the matching manuals. Treat not measured 0–100, consumption, and kerb as missing tests, not as proof the car is slow, thirsty, or light.

If the choice is one row: 3 generation 3.2 MT for economy and measured diesel pace; 4 generation 3.8 AT 250 hp at 2035 kg for power-to-weight; 3 generation 3.8 AT 215 hp if 9.9 s matters more than 250 hp.