For years, anyone who loves hitting the trails in a tough, capable rig has watched Mitsubishi slowly fade from the American truck and SUV scene. The once-proud lineup that included the rugged Montero has shrunk down to mostly crossovers that feel more at home in a suburban driveway than on a rocky mountain pass. But things are changing. Word is out that Mitsubishi is bringing back the Montero name for 2028, and this time it sounds like the real deal—a body-on-frame SUV built for serious off-road work.
The old Montero earned its stripes back in the day by tackling some of the toughest terrain around. Guys who owned them still talk about climbing steep grades, fording streams, and coming out the other side without a scratch. Now Mitsubishi wants to recapture that spirit. The new version is being developed alongside Nissan, thanks to the partnership between the two companies. That means it will share bones with proven platforms already out there.
Image credit: Mitsubishi
Nobody knows for sure yet whether the Montero will ride on the mid-size frame used in the Nissan Frontier pickup or step up to the bigger one that underpins the Armada full-size SUV and the global Patrol. Either way, it will be considerably larger than today's Outlander, which is really just a compact crossover trying to fill a bigger role. Expect standard four-wheel drive right from the start, because that's what made the Montero famous in the first place.
Under the hood, things get interesting. The base engine could be Nissan's twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out around 425 horsepower in the Armada. That's plenty of muscle for hauling a boat to the lake or powering through deep sand. But Mitsubishi is also expected to offer a plug-in hybrid option. The companies are working closely together, so the hybrid setup might blend technology from both sides. A hybrid off-roader makes sense these days—plenty of low-end torque for crawling over obstacles, plus better fuel economy when you're just driving to the job site or running errands.
Styling should draw from the Elevance concept Mitsubishi showed off not long ago. The front end will have that familiar Mitsubishi look—bold, upright, and ready for business. No word yet on exact dimensions or seating, but most signs point to three rows of seats and room for the whole crew plus gear.
This comeback matters more than it might seem at first glance. Mitsubishi has been struggling to keep dealerships busy in the United States. Sales have dropped as the lineup got older and smaller. Off-road SUVs, though, are hotter than ever. Look at how well the Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, and Jeep Grand Cherokee are doing. People want vehicles that can handle weekend adventures without complaining. Bringing back the Montero gives Mitsubishi a chance to remind everyone what the brand used to stand for—reliability on rough ground and the kind of durability that lasts for years.
There are risks, of course. If the Montero ends up feeling too much like a rebadged Nissan Armada or the rumored new Xterra, some buyers might wonder why they shouldn't just go straight to the Nissan dealer. Mitsubishi will have to carve out its own identity. Another challenge is that a whole generation of drivers never experienced the original Montero. They associate Mitsubishi more with economical daily drivers than with rock-crawling legends. The company will need to tell that story effectively through advertising and real-world demonstrations.
Image credit: Mitsubishi
Still, the pieces are falling into place for something special. Mitsubishi has already announced other new models coming soon, including an electric vehicle based on Nissan Leaf technology and fresh crossovers. The Montero fits right into this bigger push to rebuild the brand in America.
When it finally hits showrooms—probably sometime in 2027 as a 2028 model—the price should start in the low $60,000 range. That positions it against loaded versions of the 4Runner, Bronco, and Grand Cherokee. For the money, buyers can expect a well-equipped truck with four-wheel drive standard and enough room for family trips or hunting buddies.
Plenty of longtime Mitsubishi fans have been waiting patiently for news like this. The original Montero proved itself over decades in places like the Dakar Rally and on trails across the country. If the new one lives up to even half that legacy while adding modern power and efficiency, it could earn a spot in a lot of garages. Off-road enthusiasts who value something a little different from the usual suspects now have another name to watch closely.
The trail ahead looks promising. After years of sitting on the sidelines, Mitsubishi appears ready to get back in the game with a truck that remembers where it came from and points toward where serious drivers want to go.
