2006 Mitsubishi Endeavor Road Test

Walkaround

Endeavor's styling is aggressively different. It shouts to be noticed. Mitsubishi calls the design geo-mechanical.

Endeavor's front end is bold and this boldness has been further enhanced for the facelifted 2006 models. Chrome grille bars replace the previous body-colored trim, and on Limited the center bar is chrome as well. The bumper and fascia are new for 2006, but the headlamp units are unchanged.

Moving around to the side, the Endeavor is dominated by high, angular fender flares, which in the front are carried all the way up to the hood. It looks like they were designed for larger tires, as the wheel wells seem to dwarf the standard 17-inch rims. The tires are mounted on either five-spoke brush-finish (LS) or seven-spoke polished (Limited) aluminum wheels. The fenders are connected by a high, horizontal beltline.

Endeavor looks best from the rear. The back end is simple, smooth and classy, angular on a two-dimensional level. Triangular extensions on the taillights and an upturned rear bumper make a subtly stretched hexagon of the tailgate. The rear bumper has been extended for 2006, and its step cover redesigned. Mitsubishi has stripped trim-level badges of off the Endeavor for a cleaner appearance.

Because Endeavor's independent rear suspension is mounted low to provide more cargo space, the control arms are visible and catch your eye from the rear. It gives the Endeavor an air of mechanical seriousness, if not a suggestion of fragility from low ground clearance.

The roof rails are wide oblong tubular aluminum, neither easy to reach nor especially functional, at least not without the crossbars that come standard on the Limited. These thick aluminum rails may look rugged on the Nissan Xterra, but not on the Endeavor. Xterra, built like a truck, is a rugged vehicle; Endeavor is built more like a car.

For 2006, the remote keyless entry controls have been integrated into the key, eliminating the separate fob, a setup Mitsubishi believes to be more convenient. A valet key is no longer provided, however.

Interior Features

The geo-mechanical design of the Mitsubishi Endeavor carries through inside, though toned down a bit for 2006 with some trim changes. Getting in and out is easy, thanks to wide door openings. The step-in is low, which is one of the advantages to a car-based unit-body frame, as opposed to truck-based body-on-frame construction.

Once in, the Endeavor is roomy, with front legroom that's comparable to other midsize SUVs (41.4 inches). The Limited's driver's seat with standard adjustable lumbar support is comfortable and well bolstered. The premium fabric is nice, and appears quite durable. Big mirrors offer a good view rearward. Leather upholstery is offered as part of a Leather Package. The seats themselves have been re-styled. And all Endeavors with beige interiors are better color-coordinated, with beige replacing black on the door armrests, lower dash, glovebox, center console, and steering wheel.

Functionally, the Endeavor features big knobs and dials that are easy to push and turn. The instrument cluster is a unit of three gauges that are easy to read, lit at night in a moody ice blue, and accented for 2006 with bright rings. The climate control system efficiently combines heat and air conditioning with one blower.

The center stack features a small rectangular LCD screen with a panel background that changes from titanium to a more subtle black metallic for 2006. The small LCD screen displays a menu of programmable functions, including compass, outdoor temperature, calendar, and the timing of interior lights and intermittent wipers. For 2006, Limited and Road Trip models add a fuel-mileage calculator, door-alarm indicator, and maintenance recorder. The top of the dashboard is still a rubbery-feeling matt black plastic, but Mitsubishi has added brightwork to the inner door levers, door accent panels, and radio buttons.

The Endeavor's rear seat is quite comfortable, with a center armrest with two cup holders and generous legroom for the class, at 38.5 inches. That's more than you'll find in the second row of the Pilot (37.0) or Highlander (36.4).

The 60/40 rear seats fold totally flat with the touch of a finger. Cargo capacity behind the front seats is 76.4 cubic feet, which is a little less than the Highlander and Pilot. The cargo area has enough length and width to fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood, although it would rest on the small wheel humps. There are no less than 10 hooks on the floor and side panels so things can be secured with bungee cords or nets, and one power outlet. The full-size spare tire is mounted under the cargo floorboard, which is easy to raise.

A big glove box offers storage space along with the cushioned armrest console between the front seats with a removable tray, ideal for cell phones, that increases its capacity. With the tray in place, however, you have to lift two lids to get to the deeper storage area. There are two 12-volt outlets within the console, and another one accessible from the rear seat.