The Montero is equally adept at higher speed gravel road maneuvers too, thanks a great deal to its M-ASTC Active Skid and Traction Control. Its tight unibody construction aided by a fully independent coil spring suspension with double wishbones up front and multi-link setup in the rear, plus direct variable ratio rack-and-pinion steering maintained controlled turn in and no disconcerting roll tendencies - of course I'm not a WRC rally star like Mitsubishi drivers François Delecour or Alister McRae. Speaking of which Mitsubishi has had some decent practice running their machinery on gravel, dirt, muddy and snow covered roads. While Mitsubishi didn't manage to take the World Rally Championship top-spot this year they have won the toughest, fastest, longest and most grueling Safari Rally in Africa an amazing five times. What's more with the great Tommi Makinen at the wheel they took the WRC title four years in a row, from 1996 to 1999.
This rally experience pays off on the pavement as well. Of course the Montero isn't as nimble around fast corners as its compact-sized car-based Outlander sibling, or I'm sure the upcoming midsize Endeavor that will be built on Galant architecture, after all there has to be some compromise for its stellar off-road capability. But still if driven at speeds slightly beyond the speed limit the big SUV is quite capable, managing the rough and tumble, curving and undulating mostly paved Quebec back roads with ease. Its 215-hp, 24-valve, SOHC 3.8-L V6 accelerates well, especially due to 248 lb-ft of torque, while the 5-speed automatic shifts uniformly in 'Drive' mode, well matched to the engine. It also incorporates Sportronic Sequential shifting, allowing manually actuated gear changing especially helpful off the beaten path, but also making highway driving more enjoyable. When the need arises the ABS equipped 4-wheel disc brakes bring the sport utility to a standstill with surprising decorum, considering its overall heft.