Walking into the showroom last week, I couldn’t help but feel that familiar buzz—the kind you get when you’re about to pit two automotive legends against each other. On my left stood the rugged, no-nonsense Montero Sport, and on my right, the timeless Pajero, a vehicle that’s practically synonymous with off-road royalty. As an automotive journalist with over a decade of experience testing everything from compact crossovers to full-size SUVs, I’ve learned that specs only tell half the story. The real test is in how these machines perform when the asphalt ends and adventure begins. And if there’s one thing Friday’s PBA matchups reminded me of—TNT’s gritty 97-92 win over Rain or Shine and Ginebra’s dominant 126-99 blowout against NorthPort—it’s that competition reveals character. In the same way those teams battled under the lights of the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, the Montero Sport and Pajero each bring a distinct game plan to the table. One is the relentless workhorse, the other a refined veteran. So, which SUV truly wins? Let’s dive in.
I’ll start with the Montero Sport because, frankly, it’s the one I’d pick for my money if I were planning a cross-country trip tomorrow. Mitsubishi has really nailed the balance between everyday comfort and off-road capability here. Under the hood, you’ve got a 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine churning out around 180 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque—numbers that might not sound jaw-dropping until you realize how efficiently they’re delivered. I took one through muddy trails in Nueva Ecija last month, and the way it handled inclines felt almost effortless. The suspension is tuned for rough terrain but doesn’t punish you on city roads. It’s like TNT’s performance against Rain or Shine: not always flashy, but incredibly effective when it counts. The Montero Sport’s interior is functional, if a bit utilitarian. You get an 8-inch touchscreen, decent legroom, and those clever storage cubbies that make you wonder why every SUV doesn’t have them. Fuel economy? I averaged about 12.5 km/l in mixed driving, which is pretty solid for a vehicle this size.
Now, the Pajero. Ah, the Pajero—this is the SUV your uncle probably swears by, and for good reason. It’s been around since the ’80s, and its reputation for being indestructible isn’t just marketing fluff. The current model packs a 3.2-liter diesel engine with 190 horsepower and 441 Nm of torque, giving it a slight edge in raw power over the Montero Sport. But here’s the thing: the Pajero feels heavier, more substantial on the road. It’s like comparing Barangay Ginebra’s 126-99 demolition of NorthPort to a tight, back-and-forth game—the Pajero dominates, but it does so with a kind of old-school gravitas. I’ve driven this beast through sand dunes in Ilocos and monsoon-flooded streets in Manila, and its Super Select 4WD system is nothing short of magical. That said, the cabin shows its age. The infotainment system feels dated, and the third-row seats are tighter than what you’d find in the Montero Sport. Still, there’s a charm to its analog knobs and straightforward layout. It’s a vehicle that doesn’t try to be everything to everyone, and I respect that.
Where these two really diverge is in their day-to-day livability. The Montero Sport is the pragmatic choice—the SUV you drive to the office, then straight to a camping trip without missing a beat. Its ride height gives you a commanding view of the road, and features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are genuinely useful. I’ve recommended it to friends with growing families because it just makes sense. The Pajero, on the other hand, is for the purists. It’s the vehicle you buy when you’ve already got a sedan for city driving and want something uncompromising for the weekends. I’ll admit, I’m biased toward the Pajero’s character—there’s a certain pride that comes with driving a classic. But if I’m being honest, the Montero Sport is the smarter buy for 90% of buyers. It’s more fuel-efficient, cheaper to maintain, and honestly, it’s just more comfortable on long hauls.
Of course, performance isn’t just about power figures or cargo space. It’s about how a vehicle makes you feel. Behind the wheel of the Montero Sport, I feel capable and modern. In the Pajero, I feel like an explorer from a bygone era. Both have their merits, but if I had to choose one for a multi-day road trip across Luzon, I’d grab the keys to the Montero Sport without hesitation. It’s the TNT of SUVs—consistent, adaptable, and built to win even when the odds are against it. The Pajero, meanwhile, is Ginebra in its prime: legendary, powerful, and impossible to ignore, but perhaps better suited to those who appreciate history as much as performance. In the end, your choice depends on what you value most. For me, the Montero Sport takes the trophy—but I’ll always have a soft spot for the Pajero’s rugged soul.
