MSRP Range: LS: $25,000 to $28,000, XLS: $28,000 to $32,000, LTD: $32,000 to $35,000

Invoice Range: LS: $23,500 to $27,000, XLS: $25,500 to $28,000, LTD: $29,000 to $31,000

MSRP As Tested: $32,000

Versions: LS, XLS, LTD all three available with either Front-Wheel Drive, Four-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel

Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Crossover Sport Utility Vehicle

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive, Four-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel

Engine As Tested: 3.8-liter, Single Overhead Cam, V6, 215-horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 250 lb-ft torque at 3,750 rpm

Transmission As Tested: 4-Speed Automatic with manual shift mode

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): Four-Wheel Drive: 19/29, All-Wheel Drive: 19/27

Standard Safety Features: Driver and Front Passenger, front airbags, power 4-wheel disc brakes, Antilock Braking System, Electronic Brake Force Distribution

Competition: Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Honda Pilot, Isuzu Axiom, Toyota Highlander.

LOS OLIVOS, Calif. -- Stagecoach Road, a zig-zag course up through the Santa Ynez Mountains near Santa Barbara, traces back in California history to the era of horse-drawn buggies. Although paved today, the endless series of twists and bends on the old stage route tests the dexterity of any modern vehicle.

Yet it's no contest for the new Endeavor sport-utility wagon from Mitsubishi because this vehicle -- organized to direct all engine power not to the rear wheels as would a conventional truck-based SUV but to the rollers up front that also steer -- quickly demonstrates an easy-to-drive attitude with uncommon agility.

This capacity of the front wheels to both steer and propel the machine is a trait that positions the Endeavor in the emerging new category of SUVs called crossovers.

Consider a crossover as one vehicle that fits into more than one category in terms of function and style and format. It combines the characteristics of a car and a wagon, even a minivan.

For Mitsubishi's new mid-size model, the crossover concept blends the manners of a refined luxury sedan with the elevated stance and cargo capacity of a boxy sport-utility wagon plus the cabin flexibility and interior efficiency of the minivan.

It's easy to drive like the sedan because its rigid unibody structure and all of the handling hardware -- such as an independent suspension for all wheels and responsive rack and pinion steering -- match the mechanical equipment on a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car rather than a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) truck and the typical SUV derived from a truck.

Yet it resembles a sizeable sport-ute in format and can carry a wagon's load of cargo, while the spacious passenger compartment comes with plush and comfortable seats arranged in two rows for up to five riders and there are fancy amenities aboard.

The arrival of Endeavor -- badged as a 2004 model -- marks the fourth SUV in Mitsubishi's stable and a second crossover wagon following the Outlander, a compact-class wagon that debuted in Mitsubishi's 2003 line.

Compared against the Outlander, Endeavor measures larger in scale, as it fits in the mid-size class of wagons with a wheelbase of 108.7 inches and an overall body length of 190.2 inches -- versus Outlander's 103.3-inch wheelbase and 179.3-inch length.

Also, it stocks a more powerful and sophisticated powertrain -- a V6 rather than Outlander's four-pack.

Mounted transversely up front, Endeavor's V6 displaces 3.8 liters with a cam on top and four-valves per cylinder. This is a free revving plant containing a cold-air induction system with multi-point fuel injection and throttle-by-wire controls.

It generates up to 215-hp at 5,000 rpm with torque reaching to 250 lb-ft at 3,750 rpm.

The four-speed automatic transaxle contains an adaptive controller linked to a computer that learns a driver's habits and manipulates shift patterns to suit the driving style. Then slide the shift lever laterally into a side gate for the Sportronic manual mode, where fore-aft stick action bumps up or down the gear ladder one notch at a time.

All three trim variations for Endeavor are available with either FWD orientation or an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction system.

Models with the full-time AWD equipment employ a spider gear and viscous coupling in the center differential to divide the engine's muscle equally between front and rear wheels.

That way, all four tires get a grip on pavement and work together to deliver steady and predictable traction even in slippery spots.

The unitized steel chassis underpinning Endeavor is a versatile new structure designed to accommodate FWD and AWD vehicles.

With hydroformed components and firm cross members plus subframe sections fore and aft to increase strength and rigidity, the framework serves as a firm foundation to support the suspension equipment.

Endeavor also has a broad track with the wheels pushed out to 63 inches.

With the wide stance and that long wheelbase, the wheels on corners of the chassis contribute predictable stability for the wagon when it's steered along a twisty route like Stagecoach Road.

The suspension employs MacPherson struts up front with a compact multi-link arrangement at the rear tied to gas-charged shocks and coil springs. A low profile for rear links ends up carving out more cargo room in the cabin because the design fosters a lower floor level.

Big 17-inch aluminum wheels mounted with 235/65R tires elevate the ride height.

The rack and pinion steering system comes with a speed-sensing hydraulic power steering pump that maximizes the power boost at parking-lot speeds but increases the friction for highway cruising.

Brakes, also with power assistance, consist of vented front discs and solid rotors at the rear.

An anti-lock brake system (ABS) appears on the list of standards for AWD models plus the top FWD model, but the equipment is optional on two other FWD Endeavors coupled to electronic brake force distribution (EBD).

Distinctive styling for Endeavor's exterior package features sharply chiseled forms in strong geometric shapes with undulating slabs around wheel wells forging character lines on the flanks and the face fitted with an imposing split-port grille plus big corner headlamp clusters.

It looks rather tough yet also urbane -- and unlike any other crossover vehicle.

Four large side doors provide access for riders to the cabin, which has two bolstered bucket seats in front of a bench for three but with the rear seatback split 60/40 and foldable to expand the cargo compartment.

The sculptural styling for Endeavor's exterior extends into the cabin with a dramatic design for the dashboard featuring metallic finishes on the jut-out central column of controls and an instrument cluster with large round gauges washed by ice-blue LED bulbs.

Endeavor's three trim designations include the entry-level LS, mid-level XLS and lavish LTD.

The LS base model comes with cloth fabric covering seats and black bumpers on the body plus a rack on the roof and lots of equipment in the cabin. Endeavor XLS upgrades to premium fabrics for the seats, chrome bumper caps and a 315-watt premium audio system with CD deck, while the LTD covers seats in leather and adds a sunroof as well as side-impact air bags, a tire pressure monitor, rear seat air conditioning and body-colored bumpers.

MORE DATA

Where Built: USA

Seating: 5

Number of Rows: 2

Crash Test Ratings:

• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Driver Crash Test Rating: Untested
• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Passenger Crash Test Rating: Untested
• NHTSA Side Impact/Front Seat Crash Test Rating: Untested
• NHTSA Side Impact/Rear Seat Crash Test Rating: Untested
• NHTSA Rollover Resistance Rating: To Be Determined
• IIHS Frontal Offset Crash Test: Untested

Length in Inches: 190.2

Warranties: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 7 years/100,000 mile corrosion, 5 years/60,000 mile powertrain

Weight in Pounds: 4,079

Towing Capacity in Pounds: 3,500

Payload Capacity in Pounds: 1,094 to 1,203

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 21.4

Destination Charge: $595