2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Mitsubishi's car-type midsize SUV gains 10 hp as a midyear 2004-model update. This 5-passenger wagon offers front- or all-wheel drive. Its only engine is a 3.8-liter V6, now with 225 hp. A 4-speed automatic with manual shift gate is the sole transmission. LS, XLS, and Limited models are offered and come in 2WD or with AWD that is not intended for severe off-roading and lacks low-range gearing. Endeavor has a liftgate with separate opening glass and comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, and a tire-pressure monitor. ABS is optional on the 2WD LS and standard on other models. Traction control is standard on 2WD XLS and 2WD Limited models, optional on the 2WD LS. An antiskid/traction-control system is available for AWD Limiteds. Front side airbags are standard on XLS and Limited versions and not offered on LS models. Curtain side airbags are unavailable. Also added midyear was optional rear DVD entertainment for XLS and Limited. Towing capacity is 3500 lb.

News

As a new 2004 newcomer, Endeavor shouldn't see any major near-term change. By 2007, however, it's expected to be joined by a smaller car-based crossover spun off from Mitsubishi's redesigned Lancer subcompact. "Endeavor Jr." has no name yet, but Mitsubishi insiders call it GS44. Aimed at the likes of the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matria, it should offer 4-cyl power and front drive as standard, with AWD and perhaps a small V6 as options. Stay tuned.

2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Visibility

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
5	5	4.8

Strong off the line, but good midrange response requires quick use of gas pedal to trigger a downshift from smooth, quick-acting transmission. Easy-to-use manual-shift feature a help on congested freeways and in hilly terrain. Test AWD Limited did 8.4 sec 0-60 mph.

Fuel Economy

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
5	4	3.8

Test AWD XLS averaged 16.8 mpg in mixed city/highway travel. Test AWD Limited averaged 15.3, including gas-eating performance runs. No opportunity to measure 2WD model. Mitsubishi recommends premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
6	6	4.5

Soft but stable. Never jarring over bumps, with pleasing absence of undue float on highway and minimal side-to-side or fore-aft rocking motions.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
5	5	3.7

Almost carlike handling. Well-controlled body lean in turns. Some wander in highway crosswinds, but secure otherwise. Steering precise, but grows too light as speed rises. Front-drive LS without optional traction control exhibits torque steer (pulling to one side) under full throttle from a stop. Longer brake-pedal travel than ideal, but good stopping power.

Quietness

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
5	5	4.4

Noticeable highway wind rush from front windshield-pillar area, but engine, road noise nicely suppressed.

Controls

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
6	7	6.2

A strong point. Easily read instruments ringed by stylish metal-finish plastic. Large, clearly marked audio and climate buttons and knobs mounted in an accessible "boom box" structure protruding from dashboard. XLS and Limited add dashtop audio/compass/climate display separate from actual controls; it can be hard to read in some light conditions. Smooth, precise switchgear, trendy blue dashboard illumination. Most materials appropriate for price range, though LS seat cloth looks no more than utilitarian. XLS has richer cloth. Leather upholstery standard on Limited feels upscale.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
7	7	6.4

Moderate step-in height for easy ingress/egress. Standard tilt steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat for commanding view of road. Generous head room, but tall folks might wish for more leg room. Cloth seats generously padded; leather almost coddles. Visibility to sides, rear hurt by wide roof pillars, but large outside mirrors help.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
7	7	5.6

Ample head, leg, toe room, even with front seats well aft. Three fit with some squeezing. Seatbacks recline. Cushions slightly soft for best support but comfortably chair-height. Large door openings.

Cargo Room

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
8	8	7.8

Separate-opening tailgate glass handy, but load floor has high liftover. Rear 60/40 split seatback sections fold in single motion without removing headrests, sit nearly flat with floor. Spare-tire well, side-wall net store small items. Tie-down hooks abound. Numerous cabin bins, large console and glovebox. Regular-size soda cans the limit for twin console cupholders. LS and XLS get four cupholders; Limited has just two in center armrest.

Value within Class

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
5	5	5.1

Endeavor uses expressive styling, nearly carlike dynamics, and a roomy interior to challenge more-established rivals such as the Nissan Murano, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander. Base prices are roughly even with those of its key competitors, but discounts are much steeper as Mitsubishi attempts to offset such negatives as lower-rung customer-satisfaction ratings and middling resale values.

Total Score

2WD XLS	AWD Limited	Class Average
59	59	52.3

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		39
Average Score		52
High Score		66

2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 04/23/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD LS 4-door wagon	$24,999	$23,485	$595

AWD LS 4-door wagon	$27,299	$25,646	$595

2WD XLS 4-door wagon	$28,399	$26,679	$595

AWD XLS 4-door wagon	$29,899	$28,089	$595

2WD Limited 4-door wagon	$31,299	$29,404	$595

AWD Limited 4-door wagon	$32,799	$30,813	$595

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

3.8-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Safety

Dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, tachometer, visor mirrors, map lights, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic-off headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, roof rails.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

235/65R17 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, full-size spare tire.

XLS adds to LS:

Powertrain

Traction control.

Safety

Front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, Infinity AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, outside-temperature indicator, compass, cargo cover.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Roof rack.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Full-size spare tire, AWD adds: all-wheel drive. Deletes: traction control.

Limited adds to XLS:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, heated power mirrors, power sunroof.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

AWD adds: all-wheel drive. Deletes: traction control.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Cold Zone Pkg.
AWD XLS	$300	$262
Heated front seats, heated power mirrors.

Towing Prep Pkg.
2WD LS	$300	$262
Transmission cooler, trailer-hitch wiring, full-size spare tire. Std. all models except 2WD LS.

Powertrain
Traction control
2WD LS	$100	$87
Requires antilock brakes.

Safety
Antiskid system
AWD Limited	$998	$868
Includes traction control.

Antilock brakes
2WD LS	$500	$436


Comfort and Convenience Features
Rear-seat DVD entertainment system
XLS, Limited	$1,200	$1,047
Limited requires power sunroof delete.

Power sunroof delete
Limited (credit)	$-900	$-785


Power sunroof
XLS	$900	$785

2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mitsubishi Endeavor 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	108.7

Overall Length, in.	190.2

Overall Width, in.	73.6

Overall Height, in.	67.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	4079

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	76.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	21.4

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.4

Rear Head Room, in.	38.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	38.5

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

Engines

	sohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.8 /234

Horsepower @ rpm.	215 @ 5000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	255 @ 3750

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	17/21

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Mitsubishi Endeavor 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

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%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	10/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	5/60,000	On cars purchased after July 1, 2004

Corrosion	7/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

< 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Photos

Also in the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Review:

Mitsubishi Endeavor

Mitsubishi Endeavor Road Test

Mitsubishi Endeavor Prices & Equipment

Mitsubishi Endeavor Specs & Safety

Mitsubishi Endeavor Photos

Mitsubishi Endeavor Full Review

All Mitsubishi Endeavors

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