The chiseled, sleek Montero Sport has always been a classy, pleasant SUV, but it's been rather invisible of late, its once-shining star having faded a little bit since the introduction of so many newer, larger mid-size SUVs.

With its cozy cabin and high-floored, car-like seating position-not unlike that of the similarly snug Jeep Grand Cherokee-at least the Montero Sport doesn't make you feel like you're driving around in a delivery van. It also gets away with the smallest cargo hold in this group, smaller in fact that Honda's CR-V mini-ute and the much cheaper Hyundai Santa Fe.

That said, the Montero Sport feels at least as sturdy as the other mid-sizers here, with rear-wheel-drive truck-based underpinnings and a commanding view of the road. It's close to the Nissan Pathfinder in its youthful look and rugged feel, even if its optional 200-hp V-6 can't touch the 240-horse engine of the Nissan. The even-wimpier base engine is a 173-hp V-6 that is definitely worth skipping if you have the cash.

At least the stronger engine is optional on the base SE and LS trim levels and comes standard with the cushier XLS and Limited models. A rigid suspension delivers a rough on-road ride, but pays off dividends in terms of off-road prowess if you happen to select the optional automatic four-wheel drive system (with a low range for the tough stuff). And it's that same rigid suspension that also enables it to tow a 5,000-pound trailer-more than a Honda Pilot or Buick Rendezvous can pull.

Although the Montero Sport can't claim to be a leader in terms of comfort or capacity, at least its price is competitive, starting in the low-to-mid twenties for base models and scooting up to about $33K for the leather-lined 4X4 Limited.