1992-1996 Eagle Summit Wagon Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Eagle Summit. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Eagle Summit.

1992-1996 Eagle Summit Wagon Review

Mitsubishi launched a pair of "mini-minivans," sized between subcompact wagons and minivans. Variants of the shorter of the two wagons (called Expo LRV by Mitsubishi) were marketed as the Eagle Summit, and also as a nearly identical Plymouth Colt Vista. Seating five, with a 168.5-inch body, the wagons had a sliding passenger-side door and a one-piece rear liftgate. The removable rear bench seat, with a split seatback, could be tumbled forward for additional cargo space. A 113-horsepower, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine was standard, but a 116-horsepower 2.4-liter four might be installed as an option. Both engines could have either the standard 5-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed automatic. Power steering was standard on all models. Base (DL) and LX models were front-drive, while the AWD version had permanent 4-wheel drive. Antilock braking was optional, but Summit Wagons lacked an airbag.

Year to Year Changes

1993 Eagle Summit: A stronger 2.4-liter engine was available this year: a 4-valve-per-cylinder design, rated 136 horsepower (up 20). That engine was standard in the LX wagon and optional in other models.

1994 Eagle Summit: A driver-side airbag went into '94 models, with a motorized belt for the front passenger.

1995 Eagle Summit: After 1994, only the Summit Wagon remained, now with dual airbags. The front passenger also had a manual 3-point seatbelt. Both the Plymouth Colt Vista and the Mitsubishi Expo LRV were gone. All AWD wagons had the larger engine.

1996 Eagle Summit: Little change was evident this year, except for some new colors and interior fabrics.

1992-1996 Eagle Summit Wagon Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)

Antilock brakes (optional)	Noise

All-wheel-drive traction (AWD)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Compact size, great visibility, and good maneuverability at low speeds make the Summit Wagon a good urban vehicle. On the downside, you get lots of body lean in quick turns because of the vehicle's tall body and narrow track. Grip is poor with the base model's skinny tires, but improves with the LX wagon's wider rubber, and with the AWD version. Even if tight corners produce marked body roll and tire squealing, the Summit Wagon's ride is pliant--good over all surfaces. Braking feels strong and balanced, even without antilocking. Acceleration is adequate--but no more--with the base engine and manual shift, but that engine lacks sufficient torque to keep the automatic transmission from frequent gear-hunting. It feels particularly underpowered with automatic when the wagon is loaded with passengers and cargo. The stronger 2.4-liter engine is a better all-around choice, with more torque for better throttle response and pulling power. The standard 5-speed manual gearbox shifts smoothly, and has a light clutch. The wagon's automatic transmission downshifts quickly to maintain speed on hills or to pass, but its gear changes are rather harsh. Noise levels are high, which makes highway driving more tiring. Wind noise and road rumble are problems. Base models, in particular, are not well insulated against engine and wind sounds. Entry and exit are eased by the wagon's low step-in height. The minivan-style sliding right-rear passenger door opens and closes via a unique inner-rail mechanism, which eliminates the bodyside channel that's necessary with traditional sliding doors. Passenger room is plentiful. Cargo space behind the backseat is tight, but the rear bench folds flat and tumbles forward to create a flat load floor ahead of the tailgate. Seating positions are comfortably chairlike for great visibility out of an expansive greenhouse. However, the driver's seat might be too high for some shorter drivers. Gauges and controls are simple and logically laid out.

Value for the Money
This versatile "mini-minivan" is worth a look if you need more practical utility than a small station wagon can provide, but don't want a regular compact van.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Eagle Summit Wagon AWD 2.4-liter	Rating

Performance	3

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	4

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	4

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	3

Cargo Capacity	6

Value within Class	4

Total:	43

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1992-1996 Eagle Summit Wagon Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: Delayed shifts from second to third, or third to fourth when the transmission fluid is cold, may appear to be a malfunction, but it is not. (1993-94)

Doors: The sliding door goes out of adjustment causing it to hit the rear of the front door. Installing shims will fix the problem. (1992)

Doors: The sliding doors may be hard to open due to a variety of problems including a faulty latch connecting rod clip, rear door lock holder, or striker that is out of adjustment. (1992-95)

Information stickers/paperwork: Replacement Vehicle Emission Control Information decals were sent to original owners because the original 1.8-liter engine valve clearance specs were wrong on vehicles built before mid-December 1992. (1993)

Rough idle: A bad electrical ground in the engine compartment or at the powertrain control module could cause intermittent rough and/or high idle. (1992)

Rough idle: Buildup of deposits on the idle speed control motor causes rough idle. (1992-94)

Rough idle: A bad electrical ground in the engine compartment or at the powertrain control module causes intermittent rough and/or high idle. (1992)

Suspension noise: The front stabilizer ball joint is prone to premature wear causing a rattling or popping noise while driving. (1992-93)

Suspension noise: The front suspension may rattle or make popping noises because the dust boots on the upper ball joints wear out. (1992-93)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$915

Alternator	$770

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$960

Brakes	$260

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$475

Constant Velocity Joints	$710

Exhaust System	$500

Radiator	$390

Shocks and/or Struts	$700

Timing Chain or Belt	$165

NHTSA Recall History

1992-93: Over time, abrading force on the lower edges of the chamber for the moving cable that controls driver's shoulder belt may be sufficient to allow cable to drop; could cause shoulder-belt anchorage to become stuck.

1992-96 w/AWD: Lockup of transfer case can occur, due to insufficient lubrication.

1992-1996 Eagle Summit Wagon Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1992
AWD Wagon	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200
Summit Wagon	$1,100-1,500	$700-900	$100-200

1993
AWD Wagon	$1,400-1,800	$900-1,200	$200
Summit Wagon	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200

1994
AWD Wagon	$1,600-2,000	$1,100-1,300	$200-300
Summit Wagon	$1,400-1,800	$900-1,200	$200

1995
AWD Wagon	$1,800-2,200	$1,200-1,500	$300
Summit Wagon	$1,600-2,000	$1,100-1,300	$200-300

1996
AWD Wagon	$2,000-2,400	$1,400-1,700	$300-400
Summit Wagon	$1,800-2,200	$1,200-1,500	$300

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1992-1996 Eagle Summit Wagon Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	99.2

Overall Length, in.	168.5

Overall Width, in.	66.7

Overall Height, in.	62.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	2734

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	79.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.5

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	40.0

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	40.8

Rear Head Room, in.	38.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.1

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Base engine was a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, but many Summit Wagons got the 2.4-liter engine. That one was standard in the LX and AWD wagons by 1993, rated at 136 horsepower instead of the original 116. Either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic might be installed in any model.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohc I4	1.8 / 112	113-119	116	5-speed manual: 26/33 4-speed automatic: 26/33	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 25.3

ohc I4	2.4 / 144	116-136	136-145	5-speed manual: 20/24 4-speed automatic: 20/26	5-speed manual: 22.8 4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1993 Summit

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Japan

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive

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Also in the 1992-1996 Eagle Summit Wagon Review:

Eagle Summit Wagon

Eagle Summit Wagon Road Test

Eagle Summit Wagon Reliability

Eagle Summit Wagon Prices

Eagle Summit Wagon Specs & Safety

Eagle Summit Wagon Photos

Eagle Summit Wagon Full Review