Mitsubishi Endeavor

Available with either front-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive, the American-made 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor (built at Mitsubishi's manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois) is a workhorse crossover-type mid-size sport utility vehicle that features all of the roominess, comfort and versatility of an SUV but with a much more car-like driving demeanor.

The Endeavor is available in two trims: a well-appointed 2WD LS model and the luxuriously-laden SE version. Both are powered by a refined 3.8-liter SOHC 24-valve V-6 engine that delivers 225 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and an impressive 255 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,750 rpm. A smooth-shifting 4-speed automatic transmission that features Mitsubishi's Sportronic shifting technology allows the driver to manually control gear shifting when desired, ideal when towing a trailer up a grade or when an enthusiast driver meets a winding ribbon of pavement.

2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor Front Angle2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor Front Angle

The ruggedly handsome Endeavor scores exceptionally well in the area of safety. In frontal offset crash testing, the Endeavor scored the highest ranking ("Good" overall) awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway safety (IIHS). And in crash testing performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it achieved 5-Star ratings for both frontal (driver) and side impact (front and rear seat) evaluations. An advanced dual front air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with occupant sensors; rollover-sensing side curtain air bags; front seat-mounted side-impact air bags; and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) are included on every Endeavor.

The 2WD Endeavor LS features a long list of amenities including a hands-free Bluetooth® system with voice recognition, cruise control with steering wheel-mounted switches, an impressive 140-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 playback capability along with 6 speakers and power windows, mirrors and door locks.

The more upscale Endeavor SE, available with either front- or all-wheel drive, includes leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and side mirrors, automatic climate control, 18-in. alloy wheels and a robust 360-watt Rockford-Fosgate® Acoustic Design Premium Audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and steering wheel-mounted audio controls, along with a 3-month pre-paid subscription to SIRIUS® satellite radio. Also, the Navigation & Sunroof Package is now standard on SE models and adds a DVD-based touch-screen navigation system, rear view back-up camera, power sunroof and a cargo cover.

2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor Interior

The Endeavor seats five comfortably in its expansive 76.4 cu. ft. of cargo space with the rear seats folded flat (40.7 cu. ft. in the rear cargo section with the rear seat backs in the up position).

Thanks to a ride height of 8.3 in. and a full-time all-wheel drive system (available on the Endeavor SE model) that splits engine power 50:50 between the front and rear wheels, this venerable Mitsubishi sport utility vehicle can tackle poor road conditions and light off-road duty with ease.

Source: Mitsubishi

Gallery: Mitsubishi Endeavor (2011)