2004 MITSUBISHI ENDEAVOR WAGON

MITSUBISHI Brand Reviews:    • MONTERO    • MONTERO SPORT    • OUTLANDER    • ENDEAVOR    2004 MITSUBISHI ENDEAVOR WAGON:    Description:    Mid-size crossover SUV    Model options:    LS FWD    LS AWD    XLS FWD    XLS AWD    LTD FWD    LTD AWD    Wheelbase:    108.7 inches    Overall length:    190.2 inches    Engine size:    SOHC 3.8-L V6    Transmissions/speeds:    Auto/4 Sportronic    Rear/front drive:     FWD     AWD    Steering:    Power rack and pinion    Braking:    FWD: Power 4-disc, EBD/opt. ABS    AWD: Power 4-disc, EBD/ABS    Air bags:    LS/XLS: 2 (front) + opt. 2 (side)    LTD: 2 (front) + 2 (side)    EPA mileage est. city/hwy:    FWD: 19/29 mpg    AWD: 19/27 mpg    Price range est.    LS: $ 25,000 to $ 28,000    XLS: $ 28,000 to $ 32,000    LTD: $ 32,000 to $ 35,000   Read Feature Story   Read New Car News   Read Brand Reviews   Read Car-Truck Test Reviews   Return to Guide's Homepage

MITSUBISHI OFFERS FOUR SUVS

Sport-utility vehicles scored by the marque of Mitsubishi extend now to four separate products. There are two rugged SUVs with off-road capability -- Montero and Montero Sport -- plus two crossover wagons designed to run on pavement -- Outlander and Endeavor. A new design for Mitsubishi's original SUV, Montero, came in 2001. It stretches to full-size proportions on a unibody structure with a plush four-door cabin for seven and strong mechanical systems capable of aggressive action, whether on pavement or dirt. In 1997, Mitsubishi cast a sibling wagon using the same platform as the second-generation Montero. Called Montero Sport, this SUV fit in the mid-size class and provided four passenger doors and two tiers of seats for five riders. Trim designations for Montero Sport have been pared to two models for simplicity in the 2004 line and each version packs a forceful 3.5-liter V6 engine. Outlander, a five-door wagon erected on the chassis of Mitsubishi's front-wheel-drive (FWD) Lancer sedan, debuted in 2004 and returns to the 2004 line with two trims and optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. All Outlander editions score a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with more power to play. And Endeavor, Mitsubishi's new mid-size crossover wagon, blends the manners of a refined luxury sedan with the elevated stance and cargo capacity of a boxy SUV plus the cabin flexibility and interior efficiency of a minivan.

MONTERO: The enlarged cabin of Mitsubishi's full-size SUV provides generous room for people as well as cargo, with three rows of seats and the two back ones folding flat to the floor to expand the space for more gear. Two trim levels work for 2004 Montero issues with the XLS and Limited. For power, a single-cam 3.8-liter V6 engine drops below the shapely hood. Also, both trims stock Mitsubishi's Active Trac four-wheel-drive (4WD) mechanism with push-button switching between rear two-wheel-drive (2WD), AWD, and high or low range of 4WD. All tie together to a five-speed Sportronic automatic with clutch-less manual mode. Also working is a Dynamic Skid Control (DSC) system with computer-managed braking called Active Brake Traction Control (ABTC). Additional gear clusters in optional packages, including a power glass sunroof, seats trimmed in suede-like Ecsaine, leather-wrapped steering wheel and Infinity Premium sound. A tire pressure monitoring system has been added to the list of standards and a rear seat entertainment system is now available.

MONTERO SPORT: The mid-size SUV from Mitsubishi can carry five adults in comfort and, with optional 4WD equipment, also maintain steady tire traction when venturing away from pavement. It rides on a chassis out of the previous version of Montero, yet Sport measures less in length than Montero and its roof dips for a lower center of gravity. Mitsubishi simplifies trim tiers for Sport by creating two models -- the base LS and deluxe XLS. Each comes with a single-cam 3.5-liter that achieves 197 hp and offers 2WD or 4WD equipment. Montero Sport LS offers a convenience package with tubular side steps and body side moldings, a remote keyless entry system and cruise control. The XLS supports two new packages -- touring and luxury. The former includes a power sunroof, limited-slip differential, Infinity premium audio system, cargo cover and dimpled leather steering wheel and shift knob, while the latter also covers seats in leather.

OUTLANDER: Constructed on the same platform that supports Mitsubishi's sporty Lancer sedan, the compact-class Outlander SUV has a rigid unibody structure and independent suspension components that deliver a car-like ride quality. It's small enough to navigate easy through a crowded parking lot yet large enough in the cabin to provide ample space for five passengers plus a load of cargo. Outlander splits into LS and XLS trims, each stocking the same four-cylinder engine and available in FWD or AWD. The single-cam 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine has been improved this year by 20 power points due to the addition of Mitsubishi's innovative valve timing and lift electronic control (MIVEC) system. It now hits 160 hp and links to a four-speed Sportronic automatic-manual transmission.

ENDEAVOR: Mitsubishi's new mid-size crossover wagon is easy to drive like a sedan because its rigid unibody structure and all of the handling hardware -- such as an independent suspension for all wheels and responsive rack and pinion steering -- match the mechanical equipment on a FWD car. Yet it resembles a sizeable sport-ute in format and can carry a wagon's load of cargo, while the spacious passenger compartment comes with plush and comfortable seats arranged in two rows for up to five riders and there are fancy amenities aboard. Endeavor's V6 displaces 3.8 liters and generates up to 215 hp through a four-speed automatic transaxle with Sportronic manual mode. All three trim variations are available with either FWD or optional AWD. Distinctive styling for Endeavor's exterior package features sharply chiseled forms in strong geometric shapes with undulating slabs around wheel wells forging character lines on the flanks and the face fitted with an imposing split-port grille plus big corner headlamp clusters. The sculptural styling for Endeavor's exterior extends into the cabin with a dramatic design for the dashboard featuring metallic finishes on the jut-out central column of controls and an instrument cluster with large round gauges washed by ice-blue LED bulbs. Endeavor's three trim designations include the entry-level LS, a mid-level XLS and lavish LTD.