In 2001, Consumer’s Union, the non-profit advocacy group that publishes Consumer Reports, ran field tests of six different SUVs including the Mitsubishi Montero Limited.
The study was designed to test handling in emergency avoidance maneuvers as well as at high speeds. In 8 out of 9 runs at speeds of 36.7 mph or greater, the Mitsubishi Montero tipped on to two wheels during sharp right turns. Consumer Reports interpreted this data to show that Montero had a high propensity to rollover and gave the vehicle a “NOT ACCEPTABLE” rating. At the time, this was only one of three vehicles to ever receive this rating in the 13 year history of Consumer Union’s roadtests.
In April 2006, Consumer Reports updated its SUV ratings. For the 2003 model of the Mitsubishi Montero it concluded that though it performed better than the 2001 Montero Limited now that it was equipped with standard electronic stability control (ESC), it was still “clumsy and disconcerting” in handling. It earned a "Poor Rating" for emergency handling.
According to Consumer Reports, the Mitsubishi Outlander is less nimble than some of the other vehicles in its class because of "overly light steering" and a "pronounced body lean". |
