The Endeavor is the first midsize SUV from Mitsubishi that's truly competitive. The old Montero and Montero Sport were already outdated when they landed on our shores, which explains why they were so rapidly dismissed. Then came the Outlander, which takes on the compact SUV segment.

The Endeavor is the first midsize SUV from Mitsubishi that's truly competitive.

Introduced as a 2004 model year, the odd-looking Endeavor immediately made a splash with its strong personality and equally strong fenders and fascia. It's a true utility vehicle and not some sort of crossover, despite sharing its platform with the Galant sedan and Eclipse coupe.

Generously equipped, the Endeavor comes with 17-inch wheels, side steps and a towing package allowing it to tow up to 1,587 kilos (3,500 pounds).

For 2008, the essence of the vehicle remains the same. There may have been a few tweaks here and there, particularly inside, but the Endeavor as a whole is virtually unchanged.

Hip interior
The interior is once again radically styled. The layout is quite unorthodox, with a bulging central display that looks as if Mitsubishi had forgotten to include it during the design process and later realized their mistake.

Beyond the overabundant plastics, occupants find a plethora of standard amenities like heated front seats, power accessories and a sunroof. The sound system is first-grade; while it may not look like it, the audio interface is actually a 360-watt Rockford Fosgate unit. Navigation is optional.

My tester was all black inside. To brighten up the atmosphere a little, Mitsubishi tastefully incorporated brushed aluminum accents. I also liked the pleasant vivid blue interior lighting and instrument backlighting.

The interior is once again radically styled.

The aforementioned plastics boast a nice quality feel and finish. The center console between the front buckets is very deep and useful, with clever partitions offering multiple storage compartments. A 12-volt power outlet is also found in there.

The 2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor is motivated by a 3.8L V6 producing 225 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque.

Rear passengers enjoy a fair amount of room; however, the DVD entertainment system is no longer available. The 60/40 split-folding seatbacks create a cargo area large enough to load 4'x8' plywood sheets. Meanwhile, the driver benefits from a comfortable yet supportive seat with adjustable lumbar support.

On the road
The powertrain has not been overlooked either. The 2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor is motivated by a 3.8L V6 producing 225 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Performance is decent and passing maneuvers are actually quite surprising. In addition, the 4-speed automatic transmission offers Sportronic manual gear selection. This unit performs generally well, although it has a slight tendency to hesitate before downshifting.

The power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is nicely calibrated, allowing a certain sportiness and offering a conveniently short turning radius for parking maneuvers. By midsize SUV standards, the Endeavor corners surprisingly well thanks to a firm suspension that favors handling over ride. As a result, body roll is limited. The suspension remains fairly comfortable on damaged roads, but it's not really suited for off-road adventures.

Conclusion
The 2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor is a well-made vehicle. The styling is unique and distinctive for sure, which allows it to stand out from the competition. But while this Japanese SUV proves to be a decent performer, fuel economy is disappointing. Mine averaged 16.6 L/100 km in the city and 12.3 L/100 km on the highway -- far from what I'd call being fuel-efficient.
 

The styling is unique and distinctive for sure, which allows it to stand out from the competition.