The Mitsubishi Montero Sport has long been known for its rugged reliability and off-road capability, a trusted companion for both city streets and dirt trails. For 2025, Mitsubishi refines this formula by blending that proven toughness with a more modern, comfortable, and tech-improved interior, all while retaining the seven-seat versatility that families and adventurers alike have come to expect. Let’s get into it.
Exterior
The Montero Sport has undergone another facelift, and with that, some other changes in the exterior. With this particular unit being the range-topping Black Series 4WD, the unit came in a Jet Black color.
Starting with the front, comparing it to the pre-facelift version, you will see that they changed the bumper design by making it more similar to the Xpander, in my opinion. The top light still functions as a regular headlight, but in addition the massive integrated foglights in the middle section of the bumper. The grille also received an update by becoming a bit wider and chunkier to match the added bulk of the front. For aesthetics, the grill itself now has LED lights for a sporty and futuristic touch.
Moving to the side profile, I think it’s worth mentioning that the overall shape of the car became even more sleek but at the same time a bit more “boxy” staying in line with Mitsubishi’s “Dynamic Shield” concept. With an updated front and rear bumper, it may seem lower, but it still maintains a similar stance. If you will notice, the back became less rounded, adding to that “boxy” look.
At the back, the first thing that catches your eyes are the interesting tail light designs. First introduced back in the 2020 facelift model, this redesign was again part of the Dynamic Shield. It still retained that design, but without it cascading down too much to the bumper. The bumper also received a slight update, with it looking a bit wider and having an updated “diffuser” design.
Interior And Cargo Capacity
The Montero retains its rugged charm while offering modern comfort and the versatility to accommodate up to seven passengers. Up front, the traditional gauge setup has been replaced with an 8-inch fully digital instrument cluster, which can be customized to display either a classic analog-style layout or a more modern digital interface. One thing is that if it’s your first time using a Montero, just like myself, it takes time getting used to the keyless push start button, which is located on the left side.
Now looking at the center. You will now notice a rotary knob in the center with 2H, 4H, 4HLc, and 4LLc. The Montero is equipped with Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II, and this allows you to change the driving mode of the Montero for better traction and stability in any road or off-road condition without stopping (Except for 4LLc). There are 2 buttons on top of the knob for you to set the descending speed when going downhill and terrain mode to improve traction and driving.
Top-of-the-line variants, like this one, come equipped with leather seats featuring motorized adjustment functions. This particular model features a stylish two-tone black and brown upholstery, adding a premium feel to the cabin.
Moving to the second row, the Montero provides comfortable seating with a generous amount of legroom. However, one drawback is the limited headroom due to its body-on-frame construction; passengers taller than around 5’9″ to 5’10” may find the roofline a bit tight.
Access to the third row is fairly easy as well, with the traditional levers to gain access to the back. As expected, the third row is meant for small adults and children, but still offers decent space.
For the cargo space, the Montero offers versatile cargo capacity. With all the seats up, the Montero Sport GT 4×4 offers about 131 litres of space. With the third row folded down, it expands the cargo area by 502 liters. With all the seats folded down, the total space is around 1,575 litres, more than enough for any large luggage or items. In the back, as well, for convenience, there are mounting points to secure cargo or hooks for groceries and bags.
Engine Specifications
Powering the 2025 Montero Sport GT 4×4 is a 2.4-liter MIVEC inline-four turbo diesel engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivers a respectable 179 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque, offering a solid balance of performance and efficiency. The engine provides strong low-end torque ideal for both city driving and light off-road use, while the 8-speed automatic ensures smooth and responsive gear changes. The 8-speed automatic also offers a sport mode, letting drivers take advantage of paddle shifters for more precise control and a subtly more powerful, performance-oriented driving experience.
Driving
For this experience, I was able to use the Montero on some dirt roads near home and highway roads going to Makati. Starting with a bit of “off-road’. Unfortunately, there was a typhoon during the time I had this lendout, so going on trails did not seem safe due to flood warnings. What I instead tried to do was look for some paths near home that offered some inclines and uneven surfaces to test the modes and suspensions of the Montero.
The Montero is equipped with a double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension setup, which absorbs uneven surfaces and changing terrain very well. As mentioned, the Montero is equipped with the Super Select 4WD-II, and I was able to test each option as it was easy to switch modes on the fly with the rotary knob and keep track with the digital instrument cluster showing me which was locked and engaged. On slippery grass or dirt surfaces paired with an incline, switching modes helped gain traction when needed and adjusted torque to prevent wheels from spinning or loss of traction. The 18-inch wheels wrapped in 265/60 tires definitely helped in keeping traction. Again, it’s not super off-road, but it gave me a good opportunity to somewhat test the off-road capabilities despite the inclement weather.
Now moving on to the highway drive. The Montero isn’t all just for off-road driving. By switching it back to 2H, I was pleasantly surprised that it was smooth on the highway. The suspensions were also smooth and comfortable on the highway, as they absorbed bumps and road imperfections quite well. However, at slower speeds over speed bumps, the softer suspension setup can make the ride feel a bit “bouncy”, resulting in noticeable body roll inside the cabin. All in all, still a pretty good highway car.
Safety
The 2025 Montero Sport GT 4×4 is equipped with an extensive array of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). This includes Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC), Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS), Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning and Lane Change Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and cameras at the front and rear. My only concern is that sometimes the resolution of the front and back camera can be a bit unclear, and the bezel can be seen, which somewhat obstructs the view, but it’s not so much of a deal breaker.
Conclusion
After spending time with the 2025 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Black Series 4WD, it’s clear that Mitsubishi has managed to refine a familiar formula without losing its core identity. It’s still the same dependable, go anywhere SUV that fans have trusted for years, but now with a touch more comfort, technology, and style.
Whether you’re navigating city streets, cruising on the highway, or tackling off-road trails, the Montero feels ready for the task. Just like any other car, it’s not perfect. The softer suspension can lead to body roll, and taller passengers might notice tighter headroom, but these are small trade-offs for an SUV that offers genuine versatility. For those who want a rugged yet modern 7-seater that can adapt to just about any journey, the Montero Sport Black Series 4WD is still very much in its element.
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Price: P2,502,000*
*Correct as of this article’s writing
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