Home » Car Reviews » Mitsubishi » Endeavor » 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
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Performance
Endeavor's engine in an updated version of the same 3.5-liter, single overhead cam powering the Montero Sport. It delivers 215-horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. It has no problem moving Endeavor's 5,000 pounds. The vehicle accelerates quickly from a stop and merges onto the freeway comfortably. The engine is quiet when crusing, but when you step on the gas the engine note says "let's go." And it does.
The towing capacity of the two-wheel drive version is only 2,000 pounds. That's a little weak. The all-wheel drive version tows 3,500 pounds, which is competitive with vehicles like the Lexus RX330.
Endeavor gets 17 miles to the gallon in the city for both the 2-wheel and all-wheel drive versions. On the highway the two-wheel drive gets 23 miles to the gallon, and the all-wheel drive gets 21.
Ride and Handling
This is where Endeavor shines. Mitsubishi has developed a platform that delivers a very smooth ride compared to most SUVs and trucks. This is due, predominantly, to the use of a unibody construction, like those used on passenger cars. On a slow, bumpy drive out of New Orleans, on a very beat up road, Endeavor reduced the jolts into minor annoyances. (Look at the car-to-car photos for proof.) The ride is on par with most competitors, and better than the Toyota Highlander, Buick Rendevous, Pontiac Aztek, and the more expensive Lexus RX 330.
During the test drive Mitsubishi had us in a dry river bed to demonstrate the off-road ride. This was a good example, as it is the kind of off-roading most of us will do: driving on a dirt road. It did just fine in this condition and handles the mud puddles without incident. But if you plan on doing any serious off-roading, consider the Mitsubishi Montero instead.
Safety
Endeavor comes with all the standard safety features expected. Standard on all models are depowered, driver and front-passenger airbags. Standard on most versions are side-impact airbags. These are optional on the XLS. No head curtain airbag is available. The Endeavor Limited can be equipped with Mitsubishi's optional Mitsubishi Anti-skid and Traction Control system (M-ASTC.) It should be available to all trim levels, but isn't for some odd reason. A tire pressure monitoring system is included on the Limited. Sensors monitor the tire pressure of all four wheels activating a warning light if tire pressure falls below 25.25 PSI , if a system component is damaged, or if the sensor battery is low.
The Endeavor has not yet been tested by either the Insurance Instituite for Highway Safety (IIHS) or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for crashworthiness. We hope the unibody construction will fair better in the tests than some previous Mitsubishi products. The unibody design provides better crush zones than the body-on-frame chassis used for most trucks and large SUVs. According to Mitsubishi research, the Endeavor will meet, or exceed, federally mandated performance in the 30-mph frontal, 30-mph oblique and 35-mph rear-collision tests.
