The Philippine sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment has some of the best nameplates in the Asian market. Two of these vehicles are the next-generation Ford Everest and the Mitsubishi Montero Sport.
Both models have been staples in the local SUV category and are often on the top three list of Filipino car buyers who are looking to drive home a capable family carrier or a daring daily driver.
Interest to find out which of the two namplates best suit your budget and motoring needs? Then join us as we pit these automobiles in today’s SUV smackdown.
The next-generation Ford Everest measures 4,914 millimeters (mm) long, 1,923mm wide, and 1,842mm tall. It has a wheelbase of 2,900mm and a ground clearance of 227mm. Per Ford, the Philippine-spec Everest SUV can wade through water 800mm deep.
Meanwhile, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport has an overall length of 4,825mm, an overall width of 1,815mm, and an overall height of 1,835mm. Its wheelbase measures 2,800mm and its ground clearance is at 218mm.
The range-topping variant of the Ford Everest wears a chrome grille flanked by the new C-shaped matrix LED headlights. It also gets LED daytime running lights (DRL), front fog lamps, and a front tow hook.
On its side are splash guards for the front and rear tires, power-folding side mirrors, and a set of 20-inch alloy wheels. Atop it are roof rails.
The rear of the next-generation Ford Everest has LED taillights, a high-mount stop lamp, a pair of rear fog lamps, a tow hook, and a power liftgate with hands-free function.
As for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, its top-of-the-line model dons the brand’s Dynamic Shield fascia with a chrome finish. It is bordered by large LED headlamps as well as fog lamps that are integrated with the large turn signal lamps. It also wears a faux skid plate, which adds to the muscular face of the Japanese SUV.
To its sides are mirrors with repeaters and 18-inch alloy wheels. It also has roof rails at the top.
At the back, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport features new LED rear combination lamps, a power tailgate with hands-free and keyless function, and a faux rear skid plate that echoes the design of what can be found at its fore.
Overall, both SUVs exude a dependable and reliable character despite their minor design differences. That said, we will call this round a tie.
Inside, the top-tier variant of the American SUV offers a leather steering wheel, seats finished in genuine and synthetic leather, a 12-inch digital instrument panel, and a vertically-oriented 12-inch infotainment system.
Other notable interior amenities include a dual-zone automatic air conditioning system, multiple auxiliary 12-volt power outlets, as well as an audio system with eight speakers.
Not to be outdone, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport’s top variant also comes with a multi-functional leather-wrapped steering wheel and premium leather seats. However, it sports smaller digital screens with its eight-inch LCD instrument panel and eight-inch infotainment display unit.
Occupants can also enjoy onboard 12-volt outlets and a six-speaker audio system.
Seeing just how better appointed the Ford Ranger is, we give this round to the SUV from the Blue Oval brand.
The highest variant available for the Philippine-market next-generation Ford Everest gets its power from a 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
This setup, according to Ford’s local arm, makes 207 horsepower and 500Nm of torque.
Mitsubishi, on the other hand, packed the Montero Sport with a 2.4-liter diesel mill with Variable Geometry Turbo and Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control, aka MIVEC. The powerplant of the range-topping SUV is married to an eight-speed automatic with Sports Mode.
Together, this powertrain setup puts out 178 horses with 430Nm of pulling power.
With a more powerful engine, we give this round again to the Ford Everest.
In terms of safety, the Ford Everest gets a full suite of features such as hill launch assist and rollover mitigation, hill descent control (HDC), an electric parking brake, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), an electronic stability program (ESP) with a traction control system, as well as a tire pressure monitoring system, to name a few.
It also boasts advanced driving nannies like its adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane-centering function, autonomous emergency braking, pre-collision assist, a blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert and braking feature, and a 360-degree view camera.
Putting out its best foot forward, Mitsubishi endowed the currently available Montero Sport SUV’s top model with active stability and traction control, hill start assist, HDC, trailer stability assist, forward collision mitigation, blind spot warning with lane change assist, an ultrasonic misacceleration mitigation system, rear cross-traffic alert, and ABS.
It also gets a multi-around monitor, which gives the driver a 360-degree view of the vehicle.
Despite both SUV models having a decent slew of safety features, the Ford Everest edges over its contender with a more robust list of amenities. On that note, we give this round to the Ford Everest.
Below are the pricing for the two nameplate's trims:
Ford Everest
Mitsubishi Montero Sport
With a clean sweep, the next-generation Ford Everest is the clear winner of this SUV smackdown. Its better interior and more powerful engine make it an appealing choice for those in the market for a capable vehicle.
Further, the robust suite of safety and driver-assist features offered by the next-generation Ford Everest will give owners peace of mind should they hit the road in the wee hours of the night.
Photos from Ford and Mitsubishi
Also read:
Next-gen Ford Ranger owners share pick-up truck’s usability
Mitsubishi introduces new Xpander to assert market leadership in PH
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