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2006 Mitsubishi Raider Extended Cab DuroCross V8 4
Wheel Drive
The Good: Great
exterior looks. Big and bold. Muscular side stance. Quiet ride. Smooth
engine with loads of torque.
The Bad: Low fuel
economy at a time of high gas prices. Interior is not very unique or
modern. Too much use of plastic trim.
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Mitsubishi is coming back with
a hard-hitting slam into the truck market after a long hiatus.
Driven-to-Thrill is the company's new mantra while launching all new
vehicles such as the Eclipse, Lancer Evolution, and this Raider truck.
Thrilling is certainly the correct terminology for the styling of the
Raider. A bold and youthful design gives the Raider a macho man
appearance. Don't forget that this is a Dodge Dakota mid-size truck under
the skin, and is built at DiamlerChrysler's Warren Truck Assembly Plant in
Warren, Michigan.
"Whether at work or play, our
target buyers are passionate about what they do, and the Raider captures
this passion and sense of purpose in the truck they drive," said Rich
Gilligan, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America. "The Raider
gets the job done, in style."
The dynamic exterior offers
large and bold design cues for the younger truck buyer. The rugged front
end is muscular, flared wheel arches and step side fenders give a custom
look. The Raider looks like power is bulging out from under its skin.
Clear headlamps blend into the side of the Mitsubishi Raider offering a
modern appearance. Clear tail lamps give you a look you do not have to
change. The large sized rugged tires are almost tractor trailer big. We
did not like the old school rear end bumper in black, which did not conform
to the exterior body as the front bumper does. A full plastic bed liner
fits nicely and allows you to put anything you like in the bed without
scratching the paint.
Our extended cab model
featured dual opening doors for easy entry into a nicely sized interior
space. There are some things which you would expect in a truck, like
abundant use of hard plastic trim in our grey colored interior, however the
good quality silver trim gave the Raider a better than average interior.
Differing color of door panels offers something more for the eye. Grab
handles on the A pillars allow for easier entry although the Mitsubishi
Raider was at an average height making the need for steps awkward.
Sometimes we used the side steps to get into our seats and then we felt like
we were climbing a large tractor, and other times we just kind of slid into
the seats from the ground, which was not perfectly comfortable.
The dash is simple and nothing
very modern at all. Steering wheel controls for stereo and cruise control
were easy to use however the looseness of the wheel was something we did not
like much. The steering wheel is also not adjustable fore and aft so we
felt that it was a bit too close for comfort. The central instrument
cluster is simple and large with a green glow at night. A large space under
the dash offers trays for your accessories as well as large cup holders.
Four large air vents offer gaping holes for loads of air but do not look as
refined as we would like. Ventilation is by manual controls of temperature,
fan, and direction. There is no automatic climate control. Located in an
awkward position hidden below the central dash is the transmission dial for
going from 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive in high or low gears. We would
have liked this somewhere high near the headlight controls.
Storage room is also offered
in the center armrest for a deep space for a laptop say. The glove box is
only for small thin items. Door storage is small however the smaller rear
doors do have individual cup holders of their own. A quirk is the seat belt
mounts which interfere with easy exit from the rear small seats, perhaps the
seat belts should have been mounted to the seats which they serve. Our
upgraded sound package put a deep Alpine bass module in between the rear
center seats. The unit also lights up with the beat of the music you are
playing. Included is a six disc CD changer, and satellite radio. A
Bluetooth hands free system built into the rearview mirror allows you to
take incoming calls and speak pre-assigned numbers and names, a great
feature. The high-end stereo and Bluetooth feature make this a cool truck.
The 2006 Mitsubishi Raider
does not compromise power and toughness for a stylish look, offering a large
4.7 liter V8 engine that produces 230 horsepower and a class leading 290
lb-ft of torque. All this power can tow up to 6,500 pounds. Under the
engine is a fully boxed steel frame with hydro-formed rail tips. The engine
gives 15 miles per gallon city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway.
The
Raider's longitudinally-mounted 90-degree 4.7-liter, SOHC, 16-valve V8
engine utilizes a cast iron block and two cast aluminum cylinder heads with
a single overhead camshaft per bank and two valves per cylinder. The
4.7-liter V8 achieves its 4701 cc displacement with a 93 mm bore and an 86.5
mm stroke. The V8's reciprocating assembly is comprised of the same premium
cast and forged metal materials as the smaller V6. The 4.7-liter V8 engine
is enhanced using lighter weight hollow camshafts with steel lobes,
magnesium valve covers and a molded composite intake manifold. These
measures help the engine maintain low mass while providing responsive power
across the rev range. A noise-reducing compound molded into the accessory
drive belt keeps it operating quietly even after years of use.
The
V8 engine uses a tuned-length runner composite intake manifold and
free-flowing cold air induction system, and heads that feature fast-burn
combustion chambers. The static compression for the 4.7-liter engine is
9.0:1 and is equipped with dual knock sensors that permit more spark advance
and help mitigate potential detonation. The engine's additional displacement
helps to create the extra torque and horsepower that makes the V8-equipped
Raider the ideal vehicle for towing and hauling.
Behind the wheel power is
delivered smoothly. Although horsepower is low for an engine of this size
when many V6 engines now deliver 300 horsepower, it does feel adequate. The
Mitsubishi Raider feels soft and bouncy on roads but is comfortable on
highways. Body lean is very low and sound insulation is very good. We did
not find any wind noise or engine or exhaust noise of any kind. Just a
small amount of exhaust growl is present when pressing hard for a fun
experience. Fix the body bounce after a bump and make the steering more
precise and you have a solid truck. With the four wheel drive system
engaged, the feeling is of a traditional truck, sluggish and jerky. It
would be better if this was a full time all wheel drive system.
Safety systems like ABS and
plenty of air bags are all standard. Curtain as well as side impact air
bags make this a very safe interior. Mitsubishi vehicles are backed by a
comprehensive new vehicle limited warranty that covers the vehicle from
bumper to bumper for five years/60,000 miles. In addition, the powertrain
is covered by a 10-year/100,000 mile limited warranty, while body panels
have a seven-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty.
The program also includes 24-hour emergency roadside assistance with free
towing to the nearest authorized Mitsubishi retailer for warranty-related
repairs for five years/unlimited miles. A seven year 100,000 mile
anti-corrosion perforation limited warranty is also standard.
Our test car was a fully
loaded model with four wheel drive and a V8 engine in EXT trim with a MSRP
starts at $28,900. Our only option was the high output audio package with a
508 watts Alpine system with six speakers and a subwoofer for $1,845.
Destination adds $645 making for a total price of $31,080.
For the fun loving truck
buyer, young or just young at heart, the bold and stylish Mitsubishi Raider
is a great truck. The Raider's smooth and quiet ride combined with plenty
of space is ideal for outgoing individuals who need room for their sports
gear or work equipment. The bold and striking exterior is definitely an eye
catching design. For the ever competitive truck market, the Mitsubishi
Raider is a great addition and we would like to see more futuristic styling
in the years ahead.
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