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2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
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| Getting Serious |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:43:17 |
| Rating |
 834 ( -113 -13.54% ) | | Author | Tara Baukus Mello |
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Description:
2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
Getting Serious
2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
The goal to build a car-based, mid-sized sport utility may not sound particularly impressive or even unusual in today's marketplace. After all, nearly every automaker in business offers a sport ute in the U.S. market and many have a whole stable of these super-popular vehicles. But Mitsubishi's effort to build a car-based mid-size ute began several years ago, when there were far fewer SUVs in the marketplace. After conducting focus groups and performing market analysis, Mitsubishi refined its goal---to build a car-based, mid-sized SUV with off-road capabilities. It would be the company's first serious, determined effort in this arena. "Serious determined effort," according to Webster, is precisely the definition of the word "endeavor," so it seems quite appropriate that the Mitsubishi's entry take this as its name.
Indeed, Mitsubishi got very serious with its Endeavor and it's a darn good thing, for the field has gotten mighty competitive since the company began its effort. What's remarkable about the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor is that it has managed to stand out in the SUV sea thanks to its modern styling, sophisticated road manners and its mid-twenties base price.
Based on the SSU concept car, the Endeavor is the fourth SUV to enter the Mitsubishi fleet, joining the truck-based Montero and Montero Sport and the entry-level compact ute, the Outlander. Like the SSU, the Endeavor has a bold, athletic appearance. Large fenders arches, a front fascia accented by lower air intakes and rounded rear glass add to the aggressive look without being overpowering.
Built on a car-based chassis, the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor is offered in either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive. Its four-wheel independent suspension combined with its wide track makes Endeavor feel quite stable on the road and ride more like a car than a truck. Up front, MacPherson struts and a large cross member controls flexing, thereby improving suspension performance. In the rear, hydro-formed cross members reduce flex, while the low-mounted, multi-link suspension design protrudes less into the rear cargo area, improving cargo capacity. A power rack-and-pinion steering system offers low-speed steering control with maneuverability comparable to that of a passenger car.
Power for the Endeavor comes from a 3.8-liter V-6 engine rated at 215 horsepower at 5,000 rpm with peak torque of 250 lb.-ft. at 3,750 rpm. Engineers tuned the intake and exhaust to reach maximum torque early in the range to allow drivers to take the most advantage of the power. The V-6 has been mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that features Sportronic, auto-manual shifting. The transmission's adaptive shift control "learns" the driver's driving style and adjusts the shifting to his habits. All Endeavors have four-wheel disc brakes, while all-wheel-drive models come with anti-lock brakes as standard equipment. Late in the 2003 production run, the Endeavor will offer Active Skid and Traction Control on Limited models.
Both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive models have final drive ratios set to improve off-the-line acceleration, while the transmission gear ratios provide solid performance on the highway. The transfer case of all-wheel-drive Endeavors combines a bevel gear center differential with a viscous coupling to achieve a 50/50 torque split between the front and rear. A fine pitch hypnoid gear helps reduce noise from the transfer case, while an oil cooler in the differential improves reliability.
Eight inches of ground clearance makes the 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor suitable for off-pavement terrain and the all-wheel-drive models are capable of mild off-road driving. While the ride height makes the Endeavor suitable for off-road use, it is not so high that it makes ingress and egress awkward for its five passengers. As in most SUVs, the occupants sit a bit higher, gaining a more commanding view of the road. Rear seat passengers have substantial legroom for a vehicle of this size. The Endeavor's extra-wide seats also feature more than ample cushioning, while front seat options include power adjustment, adjustable lumbar support and heated surfaces. The rear bench seat has a 60/40 split and has a one-touch, fold-flat feature for added cargo space.
There is nearly 41 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. With the rear seat folded, cargo capacity is increased to 76.4 cubic feet in an area that is wide enough to hold a four-foot-wide sheet of plywood. To load cargo, the rear liftgate can either be opened upward for loading large or heavy objects or the rear hatch glass can be opened alone to load smaller items.
Storage space in the Endeavor, however, goes well beyond the cargo area. The center console offers double-decker storage with a large space suitable for storing a purse or laptop computer in the lower section and a thin space above that has a built-in pen holder. Other storage spaces are designed for cell phones and sunglasses.
The center console and dashboard sport a high-tech look with a silver finish and large control knobs. The modern look stacks the climate and audio controls in a waterfall design in the center of the dashboard. A 4.9-inch LCD display that features time, climate and audio settings among other data is located above the waterfall panel. Although it can be hard to read in direct sunlight, the display serves as a handy interface for owners to customize various interior functions to their liking.
The 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor is offered in three trim levels, LS, XLS and Limited. Both front-wheel and full-time all-wheel-drive will be available on all models. The based Endeavor LS features a sporty black bumper garnish and comes with roof rails and a color-keyed stone guard. Comfort and convenience features include 60/40-split rear folding seat, driver's side vanity mirror and four accessory plugs. The Endeavor XLS features all of the features of the LS plus upgrades to premium fabric on the seats, a power driver's seat, upgraded audio system with steering-wheel-mounted controls and a six-disc CD changer, roof rack crossbeams and a cargo area tonneau cover. Options on the XLS include leather seating, power sunroof, side airbags and an anti-theft alarm system. The top-of-the-line Endeavor Limited has all the features of its two lower models as well as comes standard with leather seating, sunroof, side-impact airbags, tire pressure monitorting system, rear seat air conditioning controls and fog lamps.
Writer's Notes
Test Car: 2003 Mitsubishi Endeavor
Curb Appeal: Bold styling projects an athletic appeal without looking like a bully.
Asphalt Rating: A 3.8-liter V-6 engine rated at 215 horsepower at 5,000 rpm with peak torque of 250 lb.-ft. at 3,750 rpm is standard.
Real World: Stylishly practical at a price that won't break the bank.
Handling: MacPherson struts up front, multi-link suspension in the rear and hydro-formed cross members throughout make for solid handling.
Comfort: Cushy seats, even in the rear, are great for long trips. Go for the XLS or Limited models if you want luxury gadgets.
---Story by Tara Baukus Mello
---Photos courtesy of Mitsubishi North America
© 2003, Tara Baukus Mello, All Rights Reserved. |
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