When I first laid eyes on the 2019 Montero Sport GLS at the dealership, I immediately thought about how it would handle our family's weekend mountain trips. Having test-driven over a dozen mid-size SUVs in this segment, I've developed a pretty good sense of what makes a family vehicle truly special. The Montero Sport has always stood out to me as the workhorse of the SUV world, but this particular model year seemed to promise something more refined.
I remember thinking back to when I coached my daughter's soccer team last year and how I had to completely overhaul their approach to nutrition and preparation. Much like Tsuzurabara taking charge of the Angels and transforming their eating habits, I found myself needing to rethink what our family truly needed in a vehicle for our adventures. The old minivan we'd been using just wasn't cutting it anymore - it lacked the rugged capability for off-road excursions and the refined comfort for longer highway journeys. The 2019 Montero Sport GLS appeared to offer that perfect balance between everyday practicality and adventure-ready capability.
What struck me immediately about this SUV was its commanding presence. The bold grille and sharp LED headlights give it a modern yet timeless appearance that doesn't scream for attention but certainly commands respect on the road. During my first proper drive through winding mountain roads, the 2.4-liter diesel engine's 181 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque proved more than adequate for steep inclines. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifted seamlessly, unlike some competitors in this class that still struggle with jerky gear changes. I particularly appreciated how the suspension handled rough terrain - it absorbed bumps and imperfections without making the ride feel too soft or boat-like.
The interior space is where the Montero Sport truly shines for family use. With three growing kids and all their gear, we need every bit of the 1,510 liters of cargo space with the rear seats folded. What impressed me most was the thoughtful layout - there are actually seven proper cup holders, which might seem trivial until you're trying to manage drinks for everyone on a long journey. The third-row seats are surprisingly usable for adults on shorter trips, unlike many SUVs in this category where the back seats feel like an afterthought. During our month-long testing period, we logged over 2,000 miles including a particularly memorable trip to the Colorado Rockies where the Super Select II 4WD system handled unexpected snowfall with remarkable composure.
Fuel economy proved better than I expected for a vehicle of this size. Mitsubishi claims around 9.2 L/100km combined, but in real-world driving with a mix of city and highway conditions, we averaged about 10.1 L/100km. That's still respectable considering the vehicle's capabilities and size. The 1,815 kg towing capacity came in handy when we needed to haul our camping trailer, performing noticeably better than the Ford Everest we'd previously considered.
Where the Montero Sport really won me over was in its attention to safety features. The forward collision mitigation system actually prevented what could have been a serious accident when a deer jumped onto a dark country road during our evening drive home. The blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert systems became invaluable in crowded supermarket parking lots. Having tested numerous family SUVs, I can confidently say that Mitsubishi's safety suite implementation feels more intuitive and less intrusive than many German competitors costing twice as much.
Now, it's not perfect - no vehicle is. The infotainment system feels slightly dated compared to some Korean rivals, and the cabin materials, while durable, lack the premium feel of a Toyota Fortuner. But these are compromises I'm willing to make for the Montero Sport's outstanding reliability record and proven off-road capabilities. Having spoken with several long-term owners during my research, the consensus is that these vehicles regularly surpass 300,000 kilometers with proper maintenance.
After six months of ownership and numerous family adventures, I've come to appreciate how the Montero Sport GLS embodies that perfect balance between practical family transport and capable adventure vehicle. It reminds me of that soccer coaching experience - sometimes you need to step back, assess what truly matters, and make changes that might not be flashy but deliver real results. The Montero Sport isn't trying to be the most luxurious or technologically advanced SUV on the market, and that's precisely why it succeeds. It focuses on doing the important things exceptionally well - keeping your family safe, comfortable, and capable of handling whatever adventures you throw at it. For active families who value substance over style and capability over cachet, I genuinely believe the 2019 Montero Sport GLS represents one of the smartest choices in the mid-size SUV segment.
