Long-Term Test: 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor

It's not often that a vehicle comes out of nowhere to win one of our comparison tests, but that's exactly what the Mitsubishi Endeavor did when it won our most recent battle among midsize crossover SUVs. Up against proven contenders like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, the Endeavor came out on top thanks to strong performance from its big V6, a roomy interior and handling that was more sport than utility.

Built on an all-new chassis specifically designed for the American market, the Endeavor is one of a new breed of car-based SUVs that gives buyers more of what they want and less of what they really don't need. It has a high seating position, available all-wheel drive and plenty of room for cargo and passengers, but with no low-range gearing and "only" V6 power it's not as capable off-road and its towing performance is limited compared to more traditional V8-powered competitors. It's a trade-off that more than a few consumers have been willing to make, especially if it means getting a smoother ride, more utility inside and improved fuel economy.

Our first long-term look at one of these so-called crossover SUVs had us in the driver seat of Honda's midsize Pilot. With three rows of seats, a soft ride quality and all the creature comforts you could ask for in a family vehicle, the Pilot proved to be a worthy if uninspiring all-around utility vehicle. After the Endeavor's surprising finish in our comparison test, we figured it was the logical choice for our next long-term look at what the crossover market has to offer. Will it be able to maintain its likable character after months of hard use? Or will it become just another flash in the pan whose luster would fade after the daily grind of commuting and errands?

In order to put our long-term Endeavor on equal footing with our previous Honda test vehicle, we ordered up the top-of-the-line all-wheel-drive Limited model. With almost every available feature as standard, the Endeavor Limited doesn't leave much to the options list. We opted for a rear-seat DVD entertainment system that added $1,200 to the sticker, but since it can't be ordered in conjunction with the sunroof that comes standard on the Limited, a $900 credit is factored in that reduces the DVD system's effect on the bottom line to just $300. The rest of the Limited package includes features like side airbags, a premium Infinity audio system, heated leather seats and 17-inch alloy wheels. The final tally for our newest long-termer was $33,694, including the destination charge. Not a small chunk of change by any means, but still significantly less than the $37,013 we paid for our similarly equipped Pilot two years ago.

We should also note that our Endeavor is a somewhat revised 2004.5 model that includes a few upgrades over the vehicle we tested last year. Horsepower from the standard 3.8-liter V6 now stands at 225, up 10 from before, while its torque output remains the same at a class-leading 250 pound-feet. An upgraded dual stage airbag system with passenger weight sensors is now standard across the lineup along with daytime running lights and a tire-pressure monitoring system. There are several other changes to the standard equipment lists of the various trim levels, but more importantly, all models received slight price reductions from their initial introductory levels as well as a longer 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty.

With well over 3,000 miles on the clock already, our Endeavor is starting to make some impressions on those who have spent time behind the wheel. So far, the most notable aspect of the Endeavor's personality is the power of its V6 engine. Given that the Endeavor did so well in the performance categories of our previous comparison test, we weren't completely surprised by its ability to get up to speed, but even still we have found its acceleration to be far better than our former long-term Pilot. "Plenty of power just about everywhere in the rev range," one editor wrote. "It's just about perfect for this type of vehicle — plenty of power down low without feeling like it's gasping for air at higher engine speeds."

Other drivers commented that the Endeavor's engine doesn't feel quite as refined as the Honda's V6, but not to the point where it would be considered annoying. "It has a more truckish sound and feel to it," an editor noted, "but I never found it to be annoying. It actually seems to fit the character of the vehicle quite well." With only a few thousand miles on the odometer our Mitsu's engine is just getting broken in, but so far we've recorded an average mileage figure of 17.6 mpg — not great but not terrible, either, as our Pilot managed 18.3 mpg during its time in our fleet.

When it comes to the interior, the Endeavor has already scored points with a few editors who rode in the backseat for an extended period of time. "Great legroom and headroom, the backseat really feels spacious," one passenger wrote in the logbook. Given the Endeavor's class-leading dimensions in this respect, this didn't come as a surprise but numbers don't always tell the story. Take the front seats for instance. Although there's plenty of room, one editor said that he felt uncomfortable in the driver seat after only an hour's drive. "I had the seat heater cranked up and the lumbar adjustment set just right, but I still found myself squirming around to get comfortable," he noted in his comments. He went on to call the leather "average" and the steering wheel "positively odd-looking" but liked the way it drove nonetheless. "It feels much more nimble than the Pilot," he wrote. "Add in the great engine and I was pretty content even if my back wasn't."

There's no doubt that our impressions have been generally positive so far, but with only 3,500 miles under its belt, our Endeavor still has a long way to go before it gets our full long-term seal of approval. We'll be sure to keep a close eye on the fuel mileage to see if it gradually climbs to more acceptable levels. We'll also monitor complaints about front seat comfort and engine noise to see if either one of those issues becomes a problem. Other than that, our Endeavor will be doing pretty much the same thing it would be doing in most consumers' hands — commuting, carpooling, shopping and all the other kinds of chores a family vehicle is expected to perform. Only time will tell if it does well, but no matter what happens you'll be able to read all the details right here in the coming months.

Current Odometer: 3,520
Best Fuel Economy: 20.9 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 13.5 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 17.6 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None

If you read our introduction, you know that our long-term Endeavor quickly made friends with various Edmunds.com editors, thanks mainly to its torquey V6 engine and roomy backseat. So-so marks were given to the front seats and the quality of the interior materials, but in general, our enthusiasm for the vehicle was high. That trend continued into the fall, as two more editors spent a month apiece with the Endeavor and came away with a fondness for the total package. "If every Mitsubishi performed as well in its associated segment as the Endeavor performs in the midsize SUV segment," said Editor in Chief Karl Brauer, "the company probably wouldn't be in trouble."

For those who haven't been keeping up with the news of the automotive world, said trouble is largely the product of the company's sales collapse in Japan (following revelations that company officials covered up quality defects prior to 2000), and DaimlerChrysler's April 2004 decision to withdraw all financial support for Mitsubishi. Meanwhile, U.S. sales have been falling steadily for some time, and in September, 900 employees were laid off from the Normal, Ill., plant that builds the Endeavor, Galant and Eclipse. Grim as all of this sounds, our positive experiences thus far with the Endeavor suggest that the company will ultimately pull through.

In particular, we feel that Mitsubishi engineers achieved a near-ideal compromise between ride quality and handling. Both of our assigned editors said that this was what they liked most about driving the Endeavor. "The ride quality is exceptional," Karl wrote. "The balance between comfort and handling is impressive, particularly for an SUV.

"I truly enjoy driving the vehicle, both in city traffic and out on the open road," he continued. "It's not sports-carlike, but the combination of ride quality and handling confidence is as good as anything in the segment."

"Given that it shares a platform with the nimble Galant," Senior Content Editor Erin Riches penned in her notes, "I knew it would handle well for an SUV. But I didn't expect it to be such an entertaining drive. On winding stretches of secondary highways, it had a tight, responsive feel — which gave me a lot of confidence, especially when driving at night. Body roll is present but certainly not excessive, and the car behaves in such a predictable manner that I never wished for stiffer damping. Ride quality is mostly smooth and comfortable, though I would have liked a little less float over bumps and joints. Of course, if you took away some of the suspension travel, you'd also take away some of its off-road capability (which is quite good for a car-based SUV)."

The steering earned similar praise, as Karl wrote that the Endeavor's setup offered a "high level of feedback and excellent weighting." Erin agreed, writing in her logbook that "it's easy enough to manage at low speeds yet suitably firm at highway speeds with a fair amount of road feel. I had to parallel park the Endeavor on a few occasions this month and I had no trouble steering it into position."

The brakes are just as driver-friendly as the rest of the package, Erin noted. "The pedal is firm and progressive, and stopping distances seem pretty short."

Of course our editors logged plenty of comments about the Endeavor's 3.8-liter V6 as well. The consensus was that this engine strikes a tenuous balance between strong acceleration and potentially worrisome fuel costs.

"The engine could be more refined," Karl wrote, "but in terms of overall power it gets the job done. I never felt like the Endeavor was underpowered. It's worth noting that this engine needs premium fuel, which at today's prices means a substantial cost over non-premium engines. And unlike Honda engines, where using regular just means a drop in power, the Endeavor's engine actually started to ping when we tried using regular fuel."

Erin had this to say: "Low- and midrange torque are excellent for a V6. There's always plenty of juice underfoot for maneuvering on L.A. freeways, and the Endeavor didn't break a sweat climbing the hilly Grapevine stretch of northbound Interstate 5. On the steeper southbound side, I thought it could have used a little more in the midrange, but prompt downshifts kept it ahead of the pack. Low-end pull was particularly impressive, as the Endeavor eagerly scrambled up a steep mountain road (that you have to turn onto sharply) — in most other vehicles I've taken up this road, I've had to shift down to a lower gear to get up the hill.

"However, there are a couple downsides to all this torque, the biggest of these being gas mileage. Even when driving at a sane pace on the interstate, I never did better than 18.5 mpg. Considering the Endeavor's EPA estimates are a mediocre 17 city/21 highway, I shouldn't have been surprised, but considering that this is a car-based SUV, I had hoped to get at least 20 on my road trip to Northern California. Even with the so-so mileage, cruising range is still well over 300 miles, thanks to the Endeavor's big gas tank. But this means that when you do go to the gas station, you end up putting in a lot of gallons of 91 octane. With California gas prices, it's easy to spend well over $50 filling the tank — not exactly a savings compared to traditional truck-based SUVs. In fact, that's as much as we spend filling up the full-size Titan and F-150 pickup trucks."

And like Karl, Erin wouldn't have minded a little more refinement. "The 3.8-liter isn't as quiet as competing six-cylinders. It drones a bit at highway cruising speeds, and at times I detected an irritating, high-pitched whine."

The editors offered mixed opinions on the capability of the Endeavor's four-speed automatic transmission. "The transmission didn't always downshift as quickly as I would have liked, but upshifts were positive," Karl reported. "It was only during aggressive driving that I noticed the lack of speedy downshifts. Under normal circumstances, everything worked well."

"A five-speed would probably improve its mileage," Erin said, "but from a performance standpoint, the four-speed is quite capable. Well-timed shifts kept the Endeavor on its toes at all times. But I did think that shifts could have been delivered more smoothly when abruptly switching between brake and throttle in heavy traffic."

Inside the cabin, both Erin and Karl remarked upon the comfort of the Endeavor's accommodations. "The front seats offer a comfortable blend of soft cushioning and firm support," Erin wrote. "At times, I felt the driver seat could have been shaped better, but I never once felt stiff or sore, even after an uninterrupted 300-mile stint behind the wheel. Telescoping adjustment for the wheel would be a nice addition, though."

Once again, the rear seat proved ample for editors' passenger loads, be they a pair of kids in booster seats or three average-size adults. "With the flip-down video screen and onboard DVD player, the car made an excellent family hauler," Karl noted. "My kids had plenty of room in the second-row seats, and with the wireless headsets fired up, they could quickly retreat to Shrek's world."

"My relatives normally aren't shy about telling me when they don't like a particular vehicle I'm driving," said Erin, "but I got no complaints from the three adults who climbed in back for a few 20-minute trips. Later, I tried out the backseat myself and found the bench nice and deep and the back cushion reasonably supportive. No wonder everyone was content."

Karl did offer one caveat about transporting small children in the backseat of the Endeavor. "One thing I noticed was the placement of the child safety-seat anchor points, which are mounted in the headliner over the cargo area. While not terrible in terms of installing or removing safety seats, I've never liked this location because it basically ensures a tether strap going from the seating area to the roof, meaning you'll see this strap every time you look in the rearview mirror."

Aside from that, visibility from the driver seat is generally good, thanks to the large side mirrors and a wide viewing area out the back. Unfortunately, that didn't stop Erin from backing into a trash can and rubbing up against a pole while reversing out of an awkwardly shaped parking lot. Body damage was limited to paint scrapes on and around the fuel door, but there was some ego damage as well. "Bumper-mounted parking sensors might have helped out here, but I could have averted this mishap by checking my surroundings more carefully before getting into the vehicle," she conceded.

In past evaluations, we've noted that the Endeavor forsakes the more traditional design aesthetics of competitors like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander for a trendier, almost industrial motif. Center stack controls are blocky, and there's faux aluminum trim all over the cockpit. Not all of the staff like this approach, but at the end of her month-long assignment, Erin wrote, "The design has grown on me. I like the silver-tone panels and controls — they look great with the bright blue lighting and black leather upholstery. I've never been a big fan of the all-in-one display Mitsubishi uses in the Endeavor and Galant — bundling the stereo and climate information with the clock, outside temperature display and compass. Specifically, I think the screen is too small and is positioned too far away from the relevant controls. However, I started to warm up to it during my road trip because it does put all the essential information at eye level and because Mitsubishi gives you six different ways to display it."

Although the all-in-one screen can take some getting used to, the controls are otherwise simple to use — with three large dials for the automatic climate control system, an oversized set of stereo controls and a handy secondary set of audio controls on the back of the steering wheel spokes. "Having all the controls within easy reach seems like such a small thing, but it really makes a difference when you're commuting in a vehicle everyday or taking a road trip," our senior content editor wrote.

Ample storage space is also a plus in these instances, and the Endeavor delivered in this capacity as well. From Erin's logbook: "The center console has an open two-shelf design which, along with the cupholders and a shelf at the bottom of the center stack, provided ample room for a phone, a sunglasses case, a couple of coffees, gum and various other odds and ends that I carried with me. I definitely wouldn't mind if Mitsubishi made the cupholders larger, though."

While the Endeavor has less maximum cargo capacity (76 cubic feet) than most of the midsize SUVs it competes with, the space behind the second-row seats (40.7 cubes) is comparable to what most of its peers offer. We didn't tax its hauling ability this time around, but Erin reported that its relatively low load floor and lightweight liftgate made it easy to load up both groceries and a long weekend's worth of luggage.

The quality of our Endeavor's interior materials took a few hits this month. From Erin's logbook: "The gathered leather upholstery is acceptable for this price range, but the vinyls and plastics on the dash, doors and console are mediocre and would never pass muster in any other import-brand vehicle. The plastic on the lower half of the dash is the worst offender, as it's highly susceptible to scratches when the front passenger decides to put his feet up on a long road trip."

Toward the end of this quarter, it came time for the Endeavor's 7,500-mile service. "Getting this maintenance taken care of couldn't have been easier," our senior content editor reported. "I made an appointment at Santa Monica Mitsubishi a day in advance, showed up at the agreed-upon time, asked for an oil change, tire rotation and new cabin air filter (the items listed in the owner's manual for this service interval) and the service advisor typed it up exactly as I dictated without attempting to sell me extra service. He did forget to give me a call when the vehicle was ready, but considering that I only paid $44.08 for everything, there's little reason to complain. The only unusual thing about the experience was that we didn't get a new cabin air filter. As the service advisor explained, when the technician opened up the glovebox (evidently, the filter resides right behind it), there was no filter installed. And, he said he didn't know whether our vehicle was supposed to have one or not (the owner's manual had said, '…if so equipped'). Given that our long-termer is a top-of-the-line Limited model, though, if any Endeavor were going to have this feature, you'd think it would be this one."

All in all, it was another pleasant few months. Granted, we wouldn't complain if the Endeavor turned in better fuel mileage numbers or traded in a few of its questionable interior materials for higher-quality stuff. But it appears that Mitsubishi has all the basics of family vehicle design down pat. Not only is the Endeavor enjoyable to drive, it's also roomy and comfortable enough to make travel with the family a hassle-free experience. And we haven't had a single warranty issue to deal with in the first 7,300 miles. We'll see if this trend continues through the upcoming holiday season.

Current Odometer: 7,357
Best Fuel Economy: 23.2 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 12.4 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 17.1 mpg
Body Repair Costs: $350
Maintenance Costs: $44.08
Problems: None

Looking for a stylish, practical and trouble-free midsize SUV to park in your garage? Our long-term Mitsubishi Endeavor has been just that for the past six months.

At the midpoint of our year-long test, we've come to think about our Endeavor like a pair of broken-in cross trainers. They just feel good.

With over 12,000 miles on the odometer, its only surprise has been the continued level of mindless comfort it offers, without once squeezing our toes.

The Mitsubishi Endeavor doesn't offer the most refined V6 engine in its class, but it gets up to speed quickly. It comes on strong right off the line and maintains a steady pull right up to highway speeds. It's a little loud and thrashy at higher engine revs, but once it settles in on the highway, the noise goes away and it becomes a perfectly acceptable cruiser.

It's also a pretty nimble handler. It's easy to fling through corners at reasonable speeds and it tracks well on the highway. Its ride is stiffer at times than some SUVs', but it's a compromise we put up with given its sharp handling.

Steering feel is the Endeavor's weakest area in terms of driving dynamics. It has a huge dead spot right on center that makes it feel unresponsive until you really start to crank it. It's very noticeable at first, but you get used to it and it eventually stops driving you crazy.

Inside, the Endeavor's cabin appears overwrought with its blue backlighting, overdone center stack and separate audio display screen, but the controls themselves are nothing to complain about, and are easily operated. One measly gripe as we move through the winter months is the lack of continued warmth offered from the heated front seats. The heat starts to fade after its initial warm-up, and it's difficult to get it going again even after flipping the switch to reenergize the unit.

With countless passengers scrambling in and out, the seats still look like new. The black leather shows no sign of early wear — its only liability is the color that allows every cracker crumb left behind by the rear-seat DVD-ogling youngsters to stand out like an island amidst a black sea.

Should you take those comfy old cross trainers and string 'em up with metallic silver laces, they may not be a mainstream fashion choice, but that doesn't make them any less comfortable. Underneath Mitsubishi's attempts to elevate the Endeavor's hip factor with some unnecessary dressing, this competent midsize SUV still remains an easy-going friend you look forward to meeting at the end of a hard day.

Current Odometer: 12,682
Best Fuel Economy: 19.2 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 15.9 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 16.8 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None

Family man and consumer advice guru Phil Reed put in some serious seat time with our 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor this quarter. Taking his wife and two teenage sons on a trip to Death Valley, Phil filled the logbook with praise for the Mitsu's behavior on the 620-mile road trip.

"As soon as I got in the car I noticed how smooth the engine is. The torque is down low so you get a feeling of power even though this is only a 225-horsepower V6. There were a few times on steep mountain grades where the power seemed a bit thin, particularly with four passengers and a lot of cargo, but I would say that overall the performance was very good."

According to Phil, the four-speed automatic added to the feeling of refinement and made the most of the available power. "This tranny shifts effortlessly, greatly improving the overall driving experience. It downshifts quickly, providing a deceptively strong sense of power. The only minor negative is the occasional hard downshift which delivers a noticeable clunk — this happened once or twice in the two weeks I drove this car."

Mr. Reed also echoed most staffers' sentiments about the Endeavor's ideal balance between a plush ride and composed handling. "The ride is a bit soft but very pleasing. I had the car loaded with my whole family and some luggage, and the extra weight wasn't noticeable — the handling still inspired confidence. I would say that the way the Endeavor handles and rides are its strongest attributes and good reasons to buy this vehicle."

The comfort at the helm was fine for Mr. Reed and his passengers weren't complaining, either. "I'm not a huge fan of the leather upholstery, but it certainly was very comfortable, even cushy. My two sons in back also found the seating supportive and legroom ample over the course of the near six-hour journey."

The road trip also brought to light a few other strengths and one minor weakness inside the Endeavor. "This is a quiet, well-insulated cabin that allowed us to enjoy our music or converse without having to turn up the volume to overcome wind and road noise.

"As far as cargo area, it's very generous. We had plenty of room for the luggage for four people. I did find myself wishing for more cubby space around the driver, however, for miscellaneous stuff like snacks, cell phones and wallets."

On the trip back to Long Beach, California, from Death Valley, the tranquility of the trip was rudely interrupted by Mother Nature and hordes of vacationers. Phil reports: "After enjoying a leisurely drive through the wildflowers, we headed home. On the way we found ourselves very reliant on the car since we encountered torrential rains for about 80 miles at night. I continually had to pass huge, lumbering campers towing 'toy boxes.' There was precious little visibility around them due to the driving rain and darkness."

The Endeavor proved to be a welcome ally through it all, as Phil recounted. "Quick acceleration was crucial, so as to minimize the time spent beside the campers throwing water everywhere. The SUV felt stable and provided optimum visibility. The windshield wipers, not something you typically think about, worked well and covered the windshield more completely than in other cars."

Back on the mean streets of Los Angeles, Phil had a few parting comments on the Endeavor. "While changing lanes during battles with L.A. freeway traffic, you come to appreciate the Mitsu's large mirrors and excellent visibility to the sides and rear. And when dealing with cramped parking situations, the light steering makes it easy to swing the big vehicle in and out of tight spaces."

So what will our Endeavor face next? Fire and brimstone? You'll have to check back as we continue to chronicle the adventures, and misadventures, of our 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor.

Current Odometer: 20,223
Best Fuel Economy: 22.3 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 14.9 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 17.1 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None.