Would You Drive This? 1991 Mitsubishi Montero LS 4×4

This was the Mitsubishi's response to the smash success of the now classic Range Rover. And as it turns out, the Mitsubishi was far more reliable. It has a 3.0L V6 with about 141 horsepower and a 4 speed automatic. That engine is fairly easy to work on and had a tendency leak from the valve cover gaskets as well as from the rear main seal (typical Japanese truck), but was otherwise dependable and cheap to operate. It has 4 wheel drive with a two speed transfer case, and some had a locking rear diff.

Not bad for a 1990s family SUV if not for the propensity to roll over. The Montero (along with the Isuzu Trooper and Suzuki Samarai) was called out in both Consumer Reports and on Dateline NBC for their unusually high rollover risk. Sales cratered after that and the Mitsubishi Montero was canceled, but not before a cheaper version called the Montero Sport hit the market.

But it does look cool as hell despite it's safety concerns. I wish Mitsubishi would build trucks again for the US market - they are currently rumored to be kept overseas b/c of the chicken tax.






This one sold in 2022 for about $9600. I like the color and the setup of this trim and body style a lot. Bring a Trailer

Mitsubishi's Montero/Pajero was gaining a reputation for being a budget Land Cruiser competitor in the 1980s and 1990s. It had won a lot of high profile off road rallies with the Montero. It had gained a strong following while Nissan was fumbling with how to market their Pathfinder. Then the whole thing sort of went haywire when the Americans found out that it rolled over too easily and was actually extremely dangerous.