A power unit mounting structure in a motor vehicle includes a power unit comprising an engine having a crankshaft, a transmission coupled to the crankshaft of the engine, and a differential interposed between drive axles connected to a pair of laterally spaced front road wheels of the motor vehicle and the transmission. The power unit is mounted in a front portion of the motor vehicle with its center of gravity positioned rearwardly of the drive axles extending from the differential toward front road wheels serving as the drive road wheels. A steering gearbox extends parallel to the drive axles and is disposed forwardly of the drive axles.