2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor

Mitsubishi's Endeavor is a midsize crossover aimed specifically at the North American market. It is built at the automaker's Normal, Illinois assembly plant.

The SUV is based on the same platform as the Mitsubishi Eclipse sports car and Galant sedan. It was built as a part of Mitsubishi's "Project America," which sought to develop a vehicle specific to the needs of Americans, without accommodate for other export markets.

Endeavor's 3.8-liter V6 engine produces 225 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 255 pound-feet of peak torque at 3,750 rpm. A standard four-speed automatic transmission features a Sportronic manual shifting mode.

The available full-time all-wheel drive system provides a 50:50 torque split between the front and rear wheels, unless conditions require a different ratio.

New for 2008, front-wheel drive models gain the Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC) system, which was already standard on the all-wheel drive models. Also for 2008, Sirius satellite radio, with six-month pre-paid service, is included with the Endeavor SE models.

The Endeavor can now be ordered with two-tone leather seating for a more premium appearance. In this configuration, the Suki Beige seating is accented by black side bolsters.

The crossover provides 40.7 cubic feet of storage space when the rear seats are up, and 76.4 cubic feet of space when the seats are folded.

Two trim levels, the LS and SE, are available to Endeavor buyers. The SE adds leather sears, heated front seats, a power driver's seat, and a 360-watt Rockford audi system, a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, and steering wheel audio controls. The SE also offers an optional Sunroof Package and Navigation Package.