Should You Take the Mitsubishi Montero Off-Road?
The 2006 Mitsubishi Montero is a rough and ready off-road SUV capable of taking on a variety of terrain.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
With over 8.5 inches of ground clearance, four-wheel drive, and plenty of low-end torque, the
Mitsubishi Montero
practically begs to be taken off-road.If you’re looking to hit the trails, you have to think about more than just four-wheel-drive, but determining if your vehicle’s specs meet the requirements to get down and dirty can be pretty confusing. To save you time and confusion,
Jerry
, the super app
built to save drivers money on car insurance
, has collected everything you need to know about the Mitsubishi Montero’s considerable off-road chops.From ground clearance to approach and departure angles, we’ve got all the specs, plus we’ll give you a few options to consider if the Montero doesn’t turn out to be your top choice.
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Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversCan the Mitsubishi Montero go off-road?
Absolutely! While we wouldn’t take it rock crawling, the Montero has just the right amount of off-road oomph to get you through some pretty serious trails. Plus, as a discontinued model, you should be able to find a used Montero at a very reasonable price.
In 2006, the Montero’s base price was over $36,000, but sixteen years later, you can easily get yourself behind the wheel of one for less than $7,000, even in today’s inflated used-car market.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Montero such a great off-road option.
Ground clearance
Ground clearance, or ride height, is the distance between the lowest point of your car’s undercarriage to the ground. It’s important not only because it determines what types of terrain you can clear but also because higher clearance makes for a higher center of gravity, which affects handling both on- and off-road.
The Mitsubishi Montero’s 8.6 inches of ground clearance means it has plenty of room to clear some rough terrain without getting so high that it loses handling ability on the road. However, to really master the gnarliest trails, you’d want ground clearance closer to 9 to 11 inches, like you would find on the
Toyota 4Runner SR5
with 9.1 inches of clearance.Torque
Your best off-road vehicles are capable of spinning up a lot of torque at a low rpm. This low-end torque is what gives you what you need to journey through steep inclines, through this mud, or over fallen objects.
The 2006 Mitsubishi Montero gets 248 lb-ft of torque at 3250 rpm, which is some pretty impressive power. It doesn’t measure up to the
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited’s
295 lb-ft at 3200 rpm, but it’s more than enough to help you tackle most trails.Tires
The last Mitsubishi Monteros rolled off the line in 2006, so any model you pick up today had better have new tires. Monteros were initially outfitted with
all-terrain tires
to be off-road ready right off the line, so look for a model that’s been updated with the same. Drivetrain
All-wheel-drive is not optional if you’re planning to get off the beaten path, and the Mitsubishi Montero came equipped with standard four-wheel drive, so you’re all set no matter what trim you pick up.
Angles
Just because it’s at the bottom of the list, that doesn’t mean that the approach and departure angles aren’t important, but what, exactly, are they?
- Approach angle refers to the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference.
- Departure angle is the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference.
Approach and departure angles on the 2006 Mitsubishi Montero are 30 and 24.2 degrees respectively, which means it can stand up to some pretty rough terrain.
Off-road rating: Rough and ready
Let’s see how the Mitsubishi Montero rates on
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below:Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
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We give the 2006 Mitsubishi Montero an R rating. It’s more than capable of handling uneven terrain and slick or slippery surfaces, but if you’re really looking for a go-anywhere ride, you should consider another option.
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The best off-road alternatives to the Mitsubishi Montero
There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to compact SUVs with off-road capabilities. The Mitsubishi Montero has some respectable off-road chops, but if it’s not exactly what you need, here are some alternatives you might consider that are within the same price range as the Escape:
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best alternative for daily driving | **2006 Toyota 4Runner SR5** | $9,977 | The 2006 4Runner SR5 offers above-average off-road capability combined with a more powerful engine than the Montero for better daily driving. |
Best stylish alternative | $4,122 | The Eddie Bauer edition of the 2006 Ford Explorer offers everything from two-tone paint to leather upholstery and faux-wood trim. | |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | **2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited** | $4,342 | With standard all-wheel drive, ample ground clearance, and plenty of power, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is a great all-around option for off-roading. |
Best brand-new option | $41,935 | With good ground clearance, angles, a low-range transfer case, locking rear differential, and adjustable suspension, many have rated the TRD Off-Road 4Runner 2022’s best SUV for off-roading. |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
Insurance companies often charge higher premiums on trail-ready vehicles because of the potential for damage associated with off-roading, but when you shop for coverage with
Jerry
you can rest assured you’re getting the best coverage at the cheapest possible rate. Plus, shopping with Jerry is quick and easy!Just download the free Jerry app, answer a few questions, and in less than 1 minute, Jerry will use your current coverage info to compare quotes from 50+ top providers to present you with the best money-saving options with coverage similar to your current plan. Just tap your top pick, and Jerry’s team of insurance experts will help get you set up in your new policy and even help you cancel your old one, too!
Oh, and those savings? How does over $800 a year sound? That’s how much the average Jerry user saves each year on car insurance. That’s a lot of cash to put toward some monstrous off-road upgrades!
“My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car.Jerryhelped me go from paying $308 a month to $125 a month with the same coverage. I’m loving the savings.” —Jocelyn A.
