Mitsubishi is off to a decent start point with the debut of the Endeavor, but there’s one misstep in particular that lingers in the negative column. The unibody SUV is powered by a 215 horsepower, 250 pounds-feet of peak torque V6 engine – that’s not a bad offering for the vehicle (sold in front wheel drive or all wheel drive versions). But the vehicle’s four-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic rated a big yuck. More often than not, the vehicle felt like it was in the wrong gear. To be fair the vehicle was likely always in the right gear, but the looming sense that something was amiss spoiled an otherwise pretty good overall vehicle impression.

Endeavor Limited all-wheel-drive lavishes its vehicle with all sorts of standards, including 17-inch alloy wheels, power sunroof, cruise control, rear hatch with flip-up window, heated front seats, front and rear stabilizer bars, strut with coil spring front suspension, and low mount multi-link rear suspension. Since sport utility drivers might venture off-road, Endeavor offers an eye-catching upper dash spot for a digital compass, time and outside temperature readings. The all-wheel-drive Endeavor has estimated mileage counts of 17 city/21 highway. MSRP of the Limited AWD version is $33,197.