New Car Review of the 2005 Mitsubishi Montero Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

Description: Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $35,799
Invoice Price Range: $33,723
Where built: Japan

Mitsubishi's original SUV, Montero, stretches to full-size proportions on a unibody structure with a plush four-door cabin containing three rows of seats for seven and strong mechanical systems capable of aggressive action, whether on pavement or dirt. This year Montero comes only one way -- first-class in deluxe Limited trim.

For power, a single-cam 3.8-liter V6 engine drops below the shapely hood. Also, Mitsubishi adds the Active Trac four-wheel-drive (4WD) mechanism with push-button switching between rear two-wheel-drive (2WD), AWD, and high or low range of 4WD.

All tie together to a 5-speed Sportronic automatic with clutch-less manual mode. Also working is a Dynamic Skid Control (DSC) system with computer-managed braking called Active Brake Traction Control (ABTC).