2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider ▼
- Price Range: $8,100 - $18,400
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Pros
- Front-seat room and comfort
- Ride
Cons
- Brake performance
- Acceleration (V6)
- Rear-seat room and comfort
- Steering/handling
Vehicle Highlights
Mitsubishi added a compact pickup truck to its lineup for 2006, competing against the Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma. Pickups with a Mitsubishi badge had not been offered in the U.S. market since 1996. Essentially a restyled Dodge Dakota, the Raider shared that model's drivetrains and general dimensions. Raiders came in extended-cab and double-cab body styles; a regular cab was not offered. Extended-cabs had a 6.5-foot cargo bed and rear-hinged back doors that did not open independently of the fronts. Double-cabs had a 5.3-foot bed and four conventional side doors. LS and DuroCross trim levels were offered in both body styles. An uplevel XLS model was unique to the double cab. A 210-horsepower V6 was standard except on the XLS. Standard on the XLS and optional for the DuroCross was a 230-horsepower V8. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on LS; a four-speed automatic was optional for LS and standard on the DuroCross V6. Only a five-speed automatic accompanied V8 Raiders. LS and DuroCross were available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. The 4WD setup should not be left engaged on dry pavement. The XLS came standard with all-wheel drive that included low-range gearing. Traction control was not available. Rear-wheel antilock brakes were standard; four-wheel ABS was available. Head-protecting curtain side airbags that covered both seating rows were standard on the XLS, but otherwise unavailable. Satellite radio and Bluetooth capability, which used the audio system as a hands-free link to cell phones, were available.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Mitsubishi Raider 2WD ext.-cab V6 w/auto. Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 43 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Mitsubishi's Raider and the similar Dodge Dakota impress for their refinement, available dry-surface 4WD, and curtain side airbag security. We advise a V8 model as a terrific choice if you tow or do heavy hauling, but don't want the bulk of a true large pickup. Six-cylinder versions are best suited to light-duty chores, but any Raider or Dakota is rather big for easy daily commuting. Mitsubishi offered more generous warranty coverage than Dodge, but has been hampered by a spottier dealer network and uncertain resale value. Of course, meager resale value (especially for extended-cab Raiders) translates to better prices on the used-car market.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Mitsubishi Raider 2WD ext.-cab V6 w/auto. Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 43 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $880 |
| Alternator | $570 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $2,695 |
| Brakes | $650 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $820 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $2,490 |
| Exhaust System | $560 |
| Radiator | $400 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $620 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $750 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
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| 2008 | |||
| Raider 2WD | $13,200-17,500 | $12,000-15,900 | $7,700-10,200 |
| Raider 4WD | $17,000-20,000 | $15,600-18,400 | $10,900-12,800 |
| 2007 | |||
| Raider 2WD | $10,800-14,300 | $9,700-12,900 | $5,800-7,700 |
| Raider 4WD | $14,500-16,300 | $13,200-14,800 | $9,000-10,100 |
| 2006 | |||
| Raider 2WD | $9,000-13,000 | $8,100-11,700 | $4,700-6,800 |
| Raider 4WD | $12,500-15,000 | $11,300-13,500 | $7,100-8,600 |
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Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | crew cab | ext. cab |
| Wheelbase, in. | 131.3 | 131.1 |
| Overall Length, in. | 219.9 | 219.9 |
| Overall Width, in. | 71.9 | 71.9 |
| Overall Height, in. | 68.6 | 68.6 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 4415 | 4311 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | -- | -- |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | 1590 | 1700 |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 22.0 | 22.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.9 | 39.6 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.9 | 41.9 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.4 | 36.5 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.4 | 32.1 |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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Powertrain Options and Availability
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc V6 | 3.7 / 226 | 210 | 235 | 6-speed manual: 16/22 4-speed automatic: 16/22 |
6-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc V8 | 4.7 / 287 | 230 | 290 | 5-speed automatic: 15/20 | 5-speed automatic: -- |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.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%. Sideimpact 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%.
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