Endeavor, what is an Endeavor??

I would like to start off by saying that this review is based on the assumption that you have done your "technical" research using things like edmunds.com, car and driver and motor trend. I just try to add the real world side and my observations beyond "this SUV has XYZ cubic feet of storage" etc.

With all the employee pricing going on my wife and I were looking for something a little bigger to replace our Saab 9-5 wagon.

We looked at the American makers first but I have had bad luck with the resale value and reliability of American cars so we decided against these.

We wanted size and style but gas mileage was a factor with gas at $2.40 a gallon! We really liked the brand new Subaru Tribeca but the deal just didn't fit for us, we were looking at 30k any way we sliced it. When I say "style" I mean that we like our SUVs to look tough. To me the Highlander and Pilot are a little to bland and car/wagon like for us. The problem with off road looking SUVs is handling and mileage usually suffer for the sake of off road cababilites we rarely use.

We had almost given up when my wife said "what about Mitsubishi?" I have always liked the look of the Montero but I have not kept up on Mitsubishis current products.

I went to the Mitsu web sight and the Endeavor caught my eye. It looks a LOT like the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, well I guess the Jeep looks like the Endeavor because the Endeavor came out first. It has large fenders, some square lines and nice curves. Since "style" is subjective I suggest you make up your own mind.

I read the reviews in Car and Driver, Motor Trend and on Edmunds.com. The Endeavor was rated very highly in all and even won the Edmunds camparo. The Endeavor posted the same numbers as a X5 through the cones apparently. The most interesting thing was that in all three reviews the Endeavor was much better then expected.

Things we liked:

Car like handling

Great visibility

Better then average gas mileage

Rugged good looks even though it is built for the road not the trails

0-60 in the low 8 sec range (it is quick!)

0% financing for 60 months

5 year 60k warranty which is the best anywhere

We ended up getting the LS model which was the base but came with all the things we wanted, AC, PW, PWR Doors, CD, nice wheels, and all the safety features we were looking for.

The difference between the LS, XLS, and Limited are actually not that great. The engine is the same 3.7 liter throughout which has 10 more hp then the 2004 model at 225. The wheels are the same on all three with the finish being the only difference going from painted, to painted with accents, to brushed. The XLS includes attractive chrome accents on the exterior while the base LS has a black plastic and the Limited has matching paint. Interetingly enough people seem to prefer the chrome on the "mid level" model over the Limiteds painted trim. The awd will list at roughly $28k up to $34k for the limited. You can load up an XLS with all the Limited features accept the leather.

As for usable room we have found it to be more then large enough for myself, my wife, and our 9 month old. It is always packed with his pack n play, full size stroller and bags.

Give the Endeavor a look I think you will be impressed. We choose it over the Ford Explorer, Chevy Equinox, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Chevy Trailblazer.