2006 Mitsubishi Raider Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Raider is a reclothed Dodge Dakota. Extended cabs have a 6.5-ft cargo bed and rear-hinged back doors that do not open independently of the fronts. Double Cabs are crew cabs with a 5.3-ft bed. Both body styles come in LS and DuroCross trim, and Double Cabs offer an uplevel XLS model. All but XLS come with a 210-hp V6. Standard on XLS and optional for DuroCross is a 230-hp V8. V6 models are available with manual or automatic transmission. V8s are automatic only. LS and DuroCross are available with rear-wheel drive or with 4-wheel drive that includes low-range gearing but should not be left engaged on dry pavement. XLS uses all-wheel drive that includes low-range gearing. Rear-wheel antilock brakes are standard; 4-wheel ABS is available. Curtain side airbags that cover both seating rows are exclusive to the XLS.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Pickups offer a true-truck design in a relatively modest package. They are best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use, heavy hauling, or towing.

Our Best Buy is Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks include Dodge Dakota and Honda Ridgeline.

New or significantly redesigned models include Isuzu i-280/i-350 and Mitsubishi Raider.

News

Raider has been a sales dud, which says much about what Americans think of Mitsubishi these days. It also suggests Raider may soon be dumped, especially now that some Mitsubishi executives say the borrowed pickup was a "bad decision" in the first place. At best, expect only token changes for the next two years--if Raider hangs around that long.

2006 Mitsubishi Raider Road Test

Pros	Cons

Available V8	Acceleration (V6)

Trailer-towing capability	Fuel economy

	Rear-seat room (Extended Cab)

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
3	5	4.8

V8 models have good power with either transmission, but lack the expected passing reserves. V6 is underpowered for anything but daily commuting and light loads. Towing capacity ranges from 2800 to 6600 lb.

Fuel Economy

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
4	3	4

Test 4WD Double Cab with V8 averaged 14.4 mpg. Mitsubishi recommends regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
5	5	4.3

Smooth and composed in any configuration. Little of the bounding and jiggle typical of the class. Some choppiness over broken surfaces in 4WD models.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
3	4	3.9

Steering has direct feel, lacks typical truck sloppiness. Body lean evident in turns, but well-controlled for a pickup. All test trucks wore 17-inch tires. Four-wheel ABS a worthwhile investment over standard rear-only arrangement.

Quietness

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
5	6	4.4

Road noise impressively hushed. Some wind rush at highway speeds. Well-muted engines sound refined in rapid acceleration, though V8s are quieter overall.

Controls

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.8

Controls logically placed, readily accessed. Large gauges easy to read. Interior materials look and feel low grade. Hard shiny plastic covers most surfaces, and some controls lack quality feel.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
7	7	5.2

Spacious cabin has plenty of head and leg room. Available crew cab front bench seat will accommodate three passengers in a pinch.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
2	5	2.5

Crew cabs offer three abreast rear seating, but only two adults will fit comfortably. Head and leg room adequate for adults under 6-ft, but taller riders will want more leg room. Extended cab's available forward-facing jump seats best suit those under 5-ft-3, as there's little leg room. Wider-opening rear-hinged doors make for easier loading in tight spaces.

Cargo Room

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
4	5	3.7

Ample center-console and door-pocket storage. Folding rear seats add to extended cab utility.

Value within Class

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
5	6	6.2

Being no more than a reskinned Dodge Dakota, Raider's virtues mirror those of that outstanding pickup truck. Both deliver a laudable combination of quietness, refinement, versatile 4WD, and curtain-side-airbag security. Raider sales never took off, however, so don't consider one in the absence of substantial discounts off the list price.

Total Score

2WD extended cab, V6 auto.	4WD Double Cab, V8 auto.	Class Average
43	51	44.8

Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks

Low Score		32
Average Score		44
High Score		60

2006 Mitsubishi Raider Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 07/11/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD LS extended cab, manual	$19,180	$18,019	$645

2WD LS extended cab, automatic	$21,755	$20,438	$645

2WD LS Double Cab crew cab, automatic	$23,680	$22,246	$645

4WD LS Double Cab crew cab, automatic	$26,710	$25,092	$645

2WD DuroCross V6 extended cab, automatic	$23,440	$22,021	$645

2WD DuroCross V6 Double Cab crew cab, automatic	$25,365	$23,830	$645

4WD DuroCross V6 Double Cab crew cab, automatic	$28,855	$27,108	$645

2WD DuroCross V8 extended cab, automatic	$25,440	$23,900	$645

4WD DuroCross V8 extended cab, automatic	$28,590	$26,859	$645

2WD DuroCross V8 Double Cab crew cab, automatic	$27,690	$26,013	$645

4WD DuroCross V8 Double Cab crew cab, automatic	$30,845	$28,977	$645

2WD XLS Double Cab crew cab, automatic	$30,675	$28,818	$645

4WD XLS Double Cab crew cab, automatic	$33,920	$31,867	$645

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

LS extended cab

Powertrain

3.7-liter V6 engine, 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, rear antilock brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, cloth upholstery, front split bench seat, rear-hinged rear doors (extended cab), cupholders, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, visor mirrors, floormats.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Full-size spare tire, P245/70R16 tires.

LS Double Cab adds to LS Extended cab:

Powertrain

4-speed automatic transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Tilt steering wheel, cruise control, split folding rear seat, front-hinged rear doors (Double Cab), power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, illuminated visor mirrors.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear privacy glass.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

P255/65R16 tires, alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, P265/70R16 tires.

DuroCross V6 adds to LS Double Cab:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear jump seats (extended cab), split folding rear seat (Double Cab), heated power mirrors.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Sliding rear window, side steps, fog lights, bedliner.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

P265/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, limited-slip differential, front and rear antilock brakes, skid plates, off-road suspension, LT265/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires.

DuroCross V8 adds to DuroCross V6:

Powertrain

4.7-liter V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, limited-slip differential.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power driver seat, wireless cell phone link, automatic day/night rearview mirror.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Trailer hitch, wiring harness, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, front and rear antilock brakes, skid plates, off-road suspension, LT265/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires (Double Cab).

XLS adds to DuroCross V8:

Safety

Curtain side airbags, front and rear antilock brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats, center console, Alpine AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, steering-wheel radio controls, satellite radio (requires monthly fee after 6th month), universal garage door opener, rear defogger, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Deletes: sliding rear window, side steps, bedliner.

P265/65R17 on/off-road tires, chrome alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Bed Gear Pkg.
LS, XLS	$689	$485
Bedliner, bed extender, bed-rail protectors, tailgate cover, wheel locks.

Bed Gear Pkg. 2
LS, XLS	$408	$285
Bed extender, bed-rail protectors, wheel locks.

Protection Pkg.
LS, XLS	$579	$400
DuroCross	$229	$159
Bedliner (LS, XLS), tailgate cover (LS, XLS), hood protector, mud guards (LS, XLS), bed-rail protectors, spare-tire lock, wheel locks.

Protection Pkg. w/all-weather floormats
LS, XLS	$659	$462
DuroCross	$309	$218


Protection Pkg. 2
LS, XLS	$298	$200
Hood protector, mud guards, bed-rail protectors, spare-tire lock, wheel locks.

Protection Pkg. 2 w/all-weather floormats
LS, XLS	$378	$262


Audio Pkg./Premium Sound Pkg.
DuroCross extended cab	$1,845	$1,609
DuroCross V8 Double Cab	$1,440	$1,256
Alpine AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, satellite radio (requires monthly fee after 6th month), steering wheel radio controls, front bucket seats, center console.

Preferred Equipment Pkg.
DuroCross	$499	$346
Bed extender, bed-rail protectors, side-window deflectors, spare-tire lock, wheel locks.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Special paint
DuroCross V6, DuroCross V8, LS Double Cab, LS extended cab, XLS	$150	$131


Premium paint
DuroCross V6, DuroCross V8, LS Double Cab, LS extended cab, XLS	$225	$196

2006 Mitsubishi Raider Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mitsubishi Raider extended cab	Mitsubishi Raider crew cab

Wheelbase, in.	131.3	131.3

Overall Length, in.	219.9	219.9

Overall Width, in.	71.9	71.9

Overall Height, in.	68.6	68.6

Curb Weight, lbs.	4311	4415

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	--	--

Standard Payload, lbs.	1700	1590

Fuel Capacity, gals.	22.0	22.0

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.6	39.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.9	41.9

Rear Head Room, in.	36.5	38.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	32.1	36.4

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

Engines

	sohc V6	sohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.7 /226	4.7 /287

Horsepower @ rpm.	210 @ 5200	230 @ 4600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	235 @ 3600	290 @ 3600

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

6-speed manual	16/22	--/--

4-speed automatic	16/22	--/--

5-speed automatic	--/--	15/20

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 Raider extended cab

Mitsubishi Raider crew cab

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	--

Corrosion	7/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/unlimited	--

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: all-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive

Tester's Comments

(what's this?)

Vehicle Evaluated: 2006 Mitsubishi Raider
Trim Level: DuroCross V8
Arrival Date: 01/05/2006
Engine: sohc V8
Bodystyle: crew cab
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
4WD/AWD: Yes
Base Price: $33,920
Price as Tested: $34,565
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 4623
Mileage at End of Test: 5200
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 39.954 gals.

Major Options: N/A

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 14.44 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Ed Piotrowski This is a smartly-styled pickup that certainly will appeal to the Mitsubishi faithful. I see this truck being used as a means of flat-towing tuner Eclipses and Lancer Evolutions to the drag strip and car shows. Beyond that, the sparser dealer network (compared to its Dodge sibling) and uncertain resale value likely will turn off a lot of potential buyers. That's unfortunate because Raider is a very solid pickup that deserves serious consideration.

John Biel At $34,565 delivered, as this test vehicle was stickered, you're paying for the powerful V-8 and the four-door cab room. That figure still strikes this tester as somewhat lofty, especially for a truck that's not even technically considered to be a full-size truck. You're certainly not paying for a sumptuous cabin environment, because even in the top model, some interior materials in very visible places seem quite plain.

< 2006 Mitsubishi Raider Photos

Also in the 2006 Mitsubishi Raider Review:

Mitsubishi Raider

Mitsubishi Raider Road Test

Mitsubishi Raider Prices & Equipment

Mitsubishi Raider Specs & Safety

Mitsubishi Raider Photos

Mitsubishi Raider Full Review

All Mitsubishi Raiders

All Mitsubishis

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