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Endeavor

Short test: 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor

Vehicle: 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor SE AWD
Price as tested: CDN$38698

Rounding out Canada’s worse-selling car for 2010 includes this Mitsubishi crossover, which ended up on 8th place. This “dead man crossover” managed to sell only 323 copies in the whole 2010 for some of the “best reasons”.

While the rest of the segment has received sleek and sporty styling based on the rather boxy origina, Endeavor continues with its boxy and ungainly looks. While we were quite impressed with Mitsubishi’s “PS” platform a couple of years ago, this platform needs serious updating. It just doesn’t have the same kind of rigidty and refinement as its rivals. Ford has updated Edge elegantly with the superb new 3.7 liter V6 powertrain and MyFordTouch touch-screen infotainment system, which are up there with the best of the class. Mitsubishi has done nothing but solider on with this seriously aging platform.

Speaking of aged, nothing can shown its age with its 4-speed automatic gearbox. Just like Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi thinks the “traditional” 4-speed is the evolving nature of such a proven engineering when the rest of the world has gone more than 5 gears. When everyone is complaining Honda stuck with its 5-speed automatic in the Accord, 4-speed just doesn’t cut a mustard in today’s automotive world.

The rest of the packaging isn’t terribly impressed neither. The interior is cramped and plasticky, with the blocky center console looks like something from Robocop movie. The leather seats feel flat, as well as feel like sitting on top instead of inside a car.

For those of the unlucky field who have bought the 323 Endeavors on Mitsubishi lot, you have to wonder why they won’t get a much better Outlander V6. Outlander is better than Endeavor in all conceptable area. The Evolution-derived AWD is good enough selling point to convince anyone from an Endeavor to the Outlander. Perhaps the factory rebate on Endeavor is attractive enough……..

Likes:
Decent AWD system
Standard features
Excellent steering feel

Dislikes:
Interior plastic
Interior space
4-speed automatic

2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Limited AWD

Vehicle: 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Limited AWD
Price as tested: CDN$42698

Performance: The Endeavor is powered by a 3.8L V6 24-valver that bumps out 215hp and 250 lb/ft of torque. Although the maximum torque arrives at 3750 rpm, the seat-of-the-pants feels better than paper suggested. There is enough low-end torque while the high rpm is willing to rev. The throttle response is about average, which means its not overly responsivenss nor sluggish for a V6. Both the refinement and NVH are of very high-quality in this Mitsu 3.8 despite it doesn’t sound as smoothly as Nissan’s 3.5 and Toyota’s 3.3 at high rev range. The Sportmatic 4-speed auto tranny is smooth, provides decent ratio and is willing to up/downshifts when needed. On the other hand, the manumatic mode provides smooth and crisp shifts for more enthuisastic driving.

Handling: The Endeavor is based on Mitsu’s new “Project America” chassis. This new chassis is stiff and stout, which means lack of flex and rattles. The steering response is quick, responsive and provides tons of feedback. Its also very nicely weighted. The body rolls are acceptable considered Endeavor’s COG, same goes for its understeer. The ride quality has to be one of the best in the mid-size SUV segment. It doesn’t have the rough ride of the Murano nor the floaty Highlander feel, it finds the exact right balance between ride and handling. If Endeavor’s handling/ride compromise is any indication, Galant and the upcoming new Eclipse would be something to look forward too given all are share the same platform.

Brakes: The 4-wheel discs with ABS provide excellent pedal feel. The ABS only kicks in when necessary even under the pouring rain today. The pedal is solid and easily modulated.

Interior: Endeavor’s interior has to be a mix reviews. Let’s begin with the good. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog, it also has the blue lightning when you turned on the headlight. The ergonomics for stereo and auto climate control are excellent given their large knobs and clearly marked controls. Leather seats are very comfortable, provide great thigh and back support. Both the front and rear seats have wonderful head and legroom. Now let’s go to my pre peeves. The center armrest blocked my hand when I am shifting the Sportmatic. Another drawback for the center armrest is it all covered in cheap and hard plastic. The divider inside the armrest is a piece of hard and fragile plastic that feel out of place in an SUV costing 40 large grand. Another cheap interior piece is the glovebox. Not only the handle feels flimsy, the door has a hallow sound. The last pet peeve has to be the heated seat button location. It located down below the center console which is very unergonomically correct.

Conclusion: Despite of my criticisms, Endeavor remains a worthy mid-size SUV. Its a match for the top contenders, in terms of powerplant and dynamic qualities. If they can fix the cheap interior pieces and some of the refinement, it should be at the top of the segment.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2004 MITSUBISHI ENDEAVOR LIMITED
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Performance: 4.25/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4.5/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5