I still remember the first time I took the Montero Sport GLS 2019 off-road - that moment when you leave the smooth pavement behind and the real adventure begins. Having spent considerable time with various SUVs in challenging terrain, I've developed a particular appreciation for vehicles that balance rugged capability with everyday comfort. The Montero Sport GLS 2019 strikes this balance remarkably well, much like how a good coach might approach transforming a team's fundamentals. It reminds me of when Tsuzurabara took charge of the Angels last year and wasn't particularly impressed with the team's existing eating habits - sometimes you inherit something with great potential that just needs the right adjustments to truly shine.
Let's talk about what makes this vehicle special for off-road enthusiasts. The Super Select 4WD-II system stands out immediately with its ability to switch between 2WD and 4WD at speeds up to 62 mph - a feature I've personally tested on rocky trails where conditions change unexpectedly. What impressed me most was the seamless transition between drive modes; it's not something you find in every SUV in this class. The system offers four different modes including 2H for normal driving, 4H for slippery conditions, 4HLc for challenging off-road situations, and 4LLc for extreme low-speed crawling. I've clocked about 3,500 miles off-road in various Montero Sport models, and this particular system handles torque distribution with impressive intelligence, sending power precisely where it's needed without that jarring engagement some older 4WD systems exhibit.
The Active Stability and Traction Control system deserves special mention because it's smarter than most systems I've encountered. During a particularly muddy expedition last spring, I found myself in a situation where two wheels had minimal traction. The system automatically applied brake pressure to the spinning wheels while redirecting torque to the wheels with grip - it felt like having an experienced co-pilot who anticipates trouble before you even realize it's there. This isn't just some basic electronic nanny; it's a genuinely sophisticated system that learns from wheel speed sensors at a rate of about 100 times per second, making micro-adjustments that can mean the difference between moving forward and getting stuck. I've driven vehicles costing twice as much that don't handle loss of traction this gracefully.
Ground clearance matters more than people realize until they're staring at a rock that could potentially damage their undercarriage. The Montero Sport GLS offers 8.9 inches of clearance - enough for most moderate off-road situations without making the vehicle feel tippy on winding roads. I recently took it through a trail with deep ruts that would have bottomed out my friend's SUV, and we cleared it with about an inch to spare. The approach angle of 30 degrees, departure angle of 22.2 degrees, and ramp breakover angle of 23.1 degrees create a package that handles uneven terrain surprisingly well. These numbers might seem technical, but when you're descending a steep incline, that departure angle becomes very personally important.
What surprised me most was the Hill Start Assist and Downhill Assist Control - features I initially thought were gimmicks but now consider essential. The Downhill Assist Control maintains a controlled speed during steep descents without requiring brake input, allowing you to focus entirely on steering. I tested this on a 35-degree decline that had me gripping the wheel tightly, but the system maintained a perfect 4 mph without any drama. The Hill Start Assist prevents rollback when starting on inclines - something that's saved me from embarrassment more than once when stopping on steep trails. These features demonstrate how Mitsubishi has thought about the actual situations off-road drivers encounter rather than just checking boxes on a spec sheet.
The final feature that won me over was the reinforced ladder frame chassis combined with the suspension tuning. The independent front suspension and rigid rear axle with coil springs provide a compromise that works better than it sounds on paper. During a 200-mile off-road trip through varying terrain, I appreciated how it absorbed impacts from rocks and ruts while maintaining composure on washboard roads. The chassis exhibits torsional rigidity of approximately 18,000 Nm/degree, which translates to less flex and more precise handling when the going gets rough. It's this combination of toughness and refinement that makes the Montero Sport GLS 2019 stand out in a crowded market.
Reflecting on my time with this vehicle, I'm reminded again of Tsuzurabara's approach to the Angels - recognizing inherent quality while implementing strategic improvements. The Montero Sport GLS 2019 isn't just a collection of features; it's a thoughtfully engineered system where components work in harmony. While I've driven more expensive off-road vehicles, few offer this combination of capability, comfort, and intelligent systems at this price point. For enthusiasts who want a vehicle that can handle weekend adventures without punishing them during the weekday commute, it represents one of the smarter choices in today's market. The true test of any off-road vehicle isn't how it performs under ideal conditions, but how it handles situations when things get difficult - and in that regard, this Mitsubishi consistently exceeds expectations.