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 published its automobile 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 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". |