The photo above is the Mitsubishi Endeavor, which deserves a special mention for turning the tables the Outlander for the month of June. In June 2010, the Endeavor sold only 114 units, while the Outlander sold 982. Since then, the Endeavor must've gone on a publicity campaign, because it outsold the Outlander 1,817 to 822. This is an increase of 1,494 percent over the previous year.
I'm not sure how this happened. One of our analysts theorizes that those could have been fleet sales. The Outlander is less expensive, better looking and was recently refreshed in 2010. Meanwhile the Endeavor has received mostly cosmetic updates, but is largely the same car that debuted in 2004.
That's not to say that the Endeavor is a bad car. In fact in 2003 it took first place in a midsize crossover SUV comparison test and has been one of our used car best bets for the past few years. But since then, the competition has caught up. In 2011, the Ford Explorer took its place as the midsize SUV used car best bet.
Why do you think the Endeavor has caught on? Which car would you buy? Outlander GT or Endeavor?
Ron Montoya, Consumer Advice Associate @ 20,475 miles
dougtheeng says:
10:21 AM, 07/ 8/11
The interior of the Endeavor is horrendous. Its a nice looking vehicle on the outside though.
cr_driver says:
10:58 AM, 07/ 8/11
Outlander GT.
ryster says:
11:23 AM, 07/ 8/11
I would definitely buy the Endeavor over the Outlander GT.
bradyholt says:
11:43 AM, 07/ 8/11
At least the Endeavor interior isn't rattly. It's nice to see they de-silvered the dash, too. I'd pick the Outlander -- between the two -- for its handling if only the one I'd driven didn't feel like it wanted to fall apart.
dscain says:
11:45 AM, 07/ 8/11
One big reason is that the Endeavor has a $4500 rebate, while the Outlander has $1000. My local Mitsubishi dealer has a new 2010 Endeavor for $22900 and a new 2011 Endeavor for $23900 (after rebate). While it's a year older, it's price competitive with an Outlander Sport, and I'd definitely rather have the more comfortable, more capable Endeavor for the same money.
06scooby says:
01:15 PM, 07/ 8/11
I'd take the outlander instead. rather have the 3.0 v6 and 6 speed auto then the gas swilling 3.8 with a 4 speed auto!
emajor says:
01:48 PM, 07/ 8/11
Didn't even know they still made the Endeavor. Once in a great while I will see one on the road and for some reason it strikes me as something that was discontinued 5 years ago.
aspade says:
02:15 PM, 07/ 8/11
"Once in a great while I will see one on the road and for some reason it strikes me as something that was discontinued 5 years ago. "
Says it all, about the entire brand.
fushigi says:
02:22 PM, 07/ 8/11
I see Endeavors often enough, but when I was looking the fuel economy was a big factor against it. AWD Endeavor: 15/19; AWD V6 Outlander: 17/24 for 2010 (19/25 for 2011).
Of interest, the 3.8L V6 is 225 HP/255 #-ft while the Outlander's 3L V6 is 230 HP / 215 #-ft. The 3L has a little more power but the 3.8 has much better torque. That torque is needed since the Endeavor weighs 400 pounds more than the Outlander.
At the time I didn't want something as big as the Endeavor is on the outside and it only offers 4 more cubes of cargo space. Given what I've been able to stuff in my Outlander GT it's been the right choice. And those 7 extra inches of length somehow add almost 4 feet to the turning circle.
The Endeavor, before rebates etc., is a fair bit more expensive as well. And my wife doesn't like the way it looks for some reason. Probably too masculine.
It's main attraction would be that it's US-built (it shares the Galant/Eclipse platform & is manufactured at the Normal, IL plant). But frankly that's just not enough incentive.
So I can't explain why Endeavor would be more popular unless dealers are really knocking the dollars off. I didn't run the numbers but the rebate incentives should have a final cost that still favors the Outlander GT on similarly equipped vehicles.
carguy622 says:
03:36 PM, 07/ 8/11
I'll take my sneakers.
moparbad says:
04:32 PM, 07/ 8/11
Mitsubishi, we STILL make them the way we used to
airmugsy says:
05:43 PM, 07/ 8/11
You realize Hertz has begun renting these as their "standard SUV" at locations across the US. Im pretty sure the fleet sales #'s is the reason for this
cx7lover says:
08:26 AM, 07/10/11
I was gonna say, this is probably due to increased fleet activity.
bricknord says:
02:07 PM, 07/12/11
Wow...they still sell the Endeavor? I would have bet money it was discontinued. Surprise. Problem is, Mitsubishi as a brand isn't even on shoppers' radar anymore. I'll bet the average person in the USA can't remember where the nearest Mitsu dealership is.
fushigi says:
09:44 AM, 07/13/11
"Mitsubishi as a brand isn't even on shoppers' radar anymore."
Which explains their 60+% sales increase this year.
Oh wait.