SUVs capable of negotiating the rough stuff are a dime a dozen, but finding one that can carve roads like a sedan used to be a myth—until the Montero Sport came along a few years ago. To the surprise of anybody who gets behind the wheel, this machine handles excellently--a marriage of performance and comfort in one package. I know that it sounds cliché, but after driving the Montero Sport over 800 kilometers, through various road conditions that include highways, mountain roads (courtesy of Halsema Highwahy in the Mountain Province) and off-road conditions (in Sagada), I can confidently make that claim.

Other SUVs become intimidated when thrown into a corner—the limits of adhesion being met early on (squealing tires noise at slow speeds are the dead giveaway) and with plenty of roll. This comes as no surprise given that these vehicles have suspension geometries of trucks, with the added ride height to handle off-road obstacles. There are also compromises that have to be made: Comfort cannot come with stiffer suspension to handle the corners better. Proper on-road handling cannot be had if one wants to ‘float’ over rough roads. Water wading abilities require higher ride height, which in itself comes with a penalty of a higher center of gravity leading to noticeable roll around corners.

Through the years, however, manufacturers have managed to come very close to producing SUVs that can almost do it all, but there is one that takes it to whole different level. The Montero Sport is that SUV, and it offers drivers automobile engineering at its finest.

This should come as no surprise as the Montero Sport was bred in the grueling Paris-Dakar Rally, a legendary competition that requires utmost expertise in the realm of off-roading. You get racing technology in the Montero Sport, of course, but what makes this remarkable is how it handles in real-world conditions. Remember, this SUV can be loaded up with a driver and six passengers, have room for cargo, and if need be, the interior can be manipulated to make the best use of its hauling abilities.

The current Montero Sport is also a looker, having svelte lines that are often reserved for sleeker sedans. Compared to other SUVs in the segment, the Montero’s muscular planes are taut and pressed. The 17-inch alloys are also quite handsome and hint at purposefulness. Sharp angles hint at the cornering prowess that is at your disposal, and upon driving you feel this immediately.

The chassis of the Montero Sport has double wishbones with coil springs (with a stabilizer bar) at the front, and a three-link coil spring suspension (also with a stabilizer at the rear). It all sounds quite simple, but the magic lies in how the ride has been tuned. On high-speed highways, the Montero Sport is so stable that not even the strongest crosswind can unsettle its trajectory. On the steep and winding roads of the Cordilleras the Montero is quick on its feet, offering drivers confidence that can only come from being behind the wheel of a sedan.

It comes as a shock, really, that this SUV comes very close to providing car-like handling. You would also assume that its suspension is stiff, but when riding over jagged and loose rocks, the chassis still manages to dampen the roughness without sacrificing any control.

Being armed with a limited-slip differential (LSD) also helps when powering out of tight corners, and I think that this device plays a very big role in the Montero’s sporty poise when it comes to tackling twisties. Of course, when things get muddy, the LSD is essential for maintaining traction.

Keeping the entire package exciting is the engine and transmission combo. Under the hood of the GLS SE variant that you see here is the 3.2L DOHC 16-valve turbocharged and intercooled, direct injection diesel engine that belts out 163 horses and 343Nm of torque. When combined with the INVECS-II Sportronic and Super Select 4WD, power delivery is smooth, and switching between two- and four-wheel drive is as easy as shifting a lever. On steep descents, you can manually manipulate the gears and hold them. This ensures that you have full control and things don’t get hairy.

All in all, the Montero Sport inspires driving confidence for tackling any sort of terrain. The P1,720,000 it is the top-of-the-line variant that offers more grunt, and convenience features (like leather seats, HiD lamps, and a multi-information display with an altimeter) that are expected in this price range. Equipped to run with the big boys in the segment, the GLS SE deserves a second look.