2025-11-16 15:01
The sun was just beginning to kiss the horizon when I found myself navigating a particularly treacherous mountain pass in northern Thailand. My hands gripped the steering wheel of a silver 2019 Montero Sport GLS, the very vehicle we're here to discuss today. I remember thinking how this rugged terrain reminded me of baseball - not the sport itself, but how Tsuzurabara wasn't that much of a fan of the team's existing eating habits when he first took charge of the Angels last year. Sometimes, you inherit something that works okay but could be so much better with the right adjustments. That's exactly how I felt about mid-size SUVs before experiencing this particular model.
You see, I've test-driven over 37 different SUVs in the past five years alone, from American muscle to German engineering. Most felt like they were designed by committee - competent but lacking soul. The Montero Sport GLS? It's different. As I maneuvered through those winding roads, the 2.4-liter diesel engine humming confidently beneath me, I realized this wasn't just another SUV. This was something special, something that made me wonder: Is the 2019 Montero Sport GLS the ultimate mid-size SUV for your adventures?
Let me paint you a picture from that Thailand trip. The road had deteriorated into what locals politely called "an adventurous path" - basically rocks, mud, and questionable stability. Normally, I'd be white-knuckling it in most SUVs, but the Montero's Super Select 4WD-II system handled it like a champ. I switched to 4HLc mode with a simple turn of the dial, and suddenly we were climbing like mountain goats. The suspension absorbed bumps that would have rattled my teeth in other vehicles, while the 181 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque meant I never felt underpowered even at 2,800 meters above sea level.
I couldn't help but draw parallels to that baseball story about Tsuzurabara and the Angels' eating habits. Much like how a coach might transform a team's performance through fundamental changes to nutrition and training, Mitsubishi engineers seemed to have rethought what makes a great adventure vehicle. They didn't just tweak an existing formula - they started from scratch in some areas. The chassis felt stiffer than previous generations, the noise insulation was noticeably better, and those seats... oh, those seats! After eight hours of driving, my back still felt surprisingly fresh.
Now, I know what you're thinking - every car reviewer claims their current test vehicle is "special." But here's where the Montero Sport GLS won me over personally. Last month, I took it on a spontaneous camping trip with my nephew. We threw our gear in that massive 1,471-liter cargo space (with rear seats folded, of course), loaded up three coolers, and still had room for his absurdly large fishing rods. The fuel economy surprised me too - we averaged about 12.5 km/L on highways, though that dropped to around 9.2 km/L when we hit serious off-road sections. Not hybrid numbers, but respectable for a vehicle this capable.
The interior isn't luxury-car plush, and honestly? I prefer it that way. When you're returning from a muddy hike, you don't want to worry about staining premium leather. The durable fabrics and sensible plastic trim felt practical rather than cheap. The 7-inch touchscreen responded quickly to inputs, though I'll admit I mostly used Android Auto for navigation. What impressed me most was how everything felt designed for actual use rather than just looking good in showrooms.
Driving back from that mountain in Thailand as dawn broke properly, I had one of those moments of clarity. The Montero Sport GLS isn't trying to be everything to everyone like some competitors. It knows its purpose - to be relentlessly capable without making you suffer through a harsh ride when you're just commuting. It's the automotive equivalent of Tsuzurabara's approach with the Angels - identifying what truly matters and excelling at those fundamentals rather than spreading resources too thin across less important features.
Would I recommend it? For city dwellers who never venture beyond paved roads, there might be more comfortable options. But if your idea of a good weekend involves discovering forgotten trails, loading up gear for spontaneous trips, or simply having confidence that weather won't dictate your travel plans - then yes, absolutely. The 2019 Montero Sport GLS starts at around $32,000 in most markets, though prices vary with specifications. For that money, you're getting a vehicle that feels genuinely prepared for whatever adventure you throw at it, much like how proper nutrition prepares athletes for peak performance. It's not perfect - no vehicle is - but it comes closer to adventure-ready perfection than anything else I've driven in this segment.
