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2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor Limited Winter Road Test

Some Things Really Do Live Up to the Hype of Marketing

Its been almost a year since I first test drove Mitsubishis new Endeavor sport utility during a sunny Southern California week. Not only were the SUVs available at that time preproduction examples but the paradisiacal surroundings hardly offered the opportunity to experience anything that remotely resembles a typical northern winter.

Those that know me will laugh at this last comment, being that I reside in the northwest. But as mild as our winters are compared to the midwest or east coast, our conditions are nowhere near the pleasantries of California.

This became grossly apparent after a major dump of a white crystalline substance that made it impossible to pull

Although I drove the new Endeavor almost a year ago, I finally had the chance to test it in more demanding conditions. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

my rear-wheel drive Lexus LS 430 out of the garage. It wasnt that theres anything particularly wrong with the car, but shoeing a car with 18-inch run-flat summer tires in the middle of winter is a bit ludicrous no matter which side of the country youre from. As I was told, the eastern-based PR department didnt think westerners would need all-season tires - go figure?

It was Lexus loss - as

After a major dump of snow, the Mitsubishi Endeavor tester I had got a lot of road time. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

the car sat in the garage for the remainder of the week - and Mitsubishis gain. The Japanese companys always accommodating communications department made the arrangements, and within a few hours I was mobile once again.

I had forgotten just how well behaved the Endeavor is on pavement. Most of the main roads were clear due to an army of road workers slaving through the night, which allowed a speedy trip back to my part of the city. Of course the majority of secondary roads were still

Im happy to report that Mitsubishis new SUV is about as stable in inclement conditions as the best in this category, and better than the majority. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

ankle deep in snow (it rarely gets knee deep at sea level for some reason), which made a good proving ground for the Endeavors all-wheel drive system.

How did it fare? Im happy to report that Mitsubishis new SUV is about as stable in inclement conditions as the best in this category, and better than the majority. Despite only wearing all-season tires, Bridgestone Turanzas to be exact, it was difficult to get out of shape even on icy surfaces. Im sure with enough speed anything would be possible, the continual pileup of

The Endeavor is powered by Mitsubishis 215-hp 3.8-L V6 engine, producing 250 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

crashed SUVs at the side of the road proof positive that the principles of velocity over friction, or lack thereof, continue to rule the road. Of course stupidity is alive and well still too, with many a hard lesson learned by those who were sleeping through high-school physics.

The Endeavor is quick off the line due to its 215-hp 3.8-L V6s delivery of 250 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels via a trick manual shift capable 4-speed "Sportronic" automatic transmission, but it nevertheless slides just as easily on ice as any ABS equipped 2WD car or truck when it comes time to brake. Maybe I should give Mitsus sport utility a little more credit

The word premium goes a long way to describe Mitsubishis new sport utility. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

than that in this case, as its wide track and overall composure gives more control to the driver than the majority of SUVs. What makes it so toss-able in the dry also contributes to stability over snow and ice. Respect has to be paid to Mitsubishis Active Skid and Traction Control system (M-ASTC) as well, a sophisticated technology usually reserved for premium brands.

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