If you seek an SUV's height and a car's handling, plus cargo room and all-wheel drive, then the Endeavor LS AWD should be on your auditions list.

Besides the sought-after all-wheel drive, this trim comes with standard Mitsubishi Active Skid & Traction Control, in addition to the safety equipment found on the base LS (front and rear deformation zones, dual-stage front airbags, side-curtain airbags with roll sensors for both rows, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and daytime running lights). The ABS system features Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, and there are also some anti-theft measures (coded key, engine immobilizer, and alarm) in the package.

Power is supplied by a 225-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 that puts out 255 lb.-ft. of torque. Its partner is a 4-speed automatic transmission with Mitsubishi's clutchless-manual Sportronic feature The adaptive shift technology is pretty impressive, as it "learns" your driving style and then does its auto shifting in accordance with that. The 4-speed limits fuel efficiency, although the LS AWD's 18 city/27 highway bests a few members of the competition. A workhorse it isn't, but it can pull 3500 pounds when properly equipped.

Road trips in your LS AWD will be enhanced not only by the confident feeling that the safety equipment will give you, but also by a 140-watt Mitsubishi audio system, air conditioning, cruise control, an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, rear heat ducts, and power windows, locks, and side mirrors. Sorry to say, but the power sunroof and navigation system are not available on this trim.

Mitsubishi tends to group its available features, and there are a few available for the LS trims. They are the Tow Package (transmission oil cooler, full-sized spare), the Hitch Receiver Package (tow hitch and wire harness), the Hitch Receiver Package Deluxe (adds cargo tray and rear mudguards to Hitch Receiver Package), and the Appearance Package (cargo tray, rear mudguards, and black side steps).

Unibody construction and four-wheel independent suspension give the Endeavor a smooth, carlike ride, while its ride-height, ground clearance (8.3 inches), and interior space are its SUV qualities.

As far as changes for 2007, the exterior cladding of earlier models has been removed, and the choices of interior colors have been altered (black instead of charcoal, brown instead of sand), and speaking of color inside the Endeavor, its instrument panel is decked out in ice-blue illumination that looks pretty neat in the dark of night.