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2006 Mitsubishi Raider First Drive
Model Mix

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TO THE POINT What’s New? Mitsubishi re-skins a Dodge Dakota to craft its first pickup truck in 10 years.
Selling Points: Muscular styling, optional V8 engine, six-passenger seating, better warranty than Dakota
Deal Breakers: Optional V8 not as strong as Nissan’s V6, standard V6 underpowered and unrefined
Our Advice: With a competitive warranty and optional V8 power, the Mitsubishi Raider, which is based on the capable Dodge Dakota, is a compelling mid-sized pickup truck.

MEET THE COMPETITION Nissan Frontier
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Employee Pricing Primer

Click to enlarge. 2006 Mitsubishi Raider Model Mix With the 2006 Mitsubishi Raider, choose between two drivetrains, two transmissions, three trim levels, Extended and Double Cab styles, several wheel and tire packages, and upscale options.

Although all 2006 Mitsubishi Raider pickups share dimensions, several trim levels paired with two distinct body styles provide a wide range of configurations to suit different buyers. In sheet metal terms, customers must give preference to either the cabin or cargo box. Extended Cab Raiders use two small rearward swinging doors to access the cramped rear seats, while Double Cab models get four full-size, forward-swinging portals. The box behind the shorter Extended Cab stretches six feet, six inches while Double Cab models make due with an abbreviated five-foot, three-inch box. Dodge calls the similarly configured Dakota either the Club (Extended) or Quad (Double) Cab.

Click to enlarge. 2006 Mitsubishi Raider Base LS models are equipped with a 3.7-liter V6 engine, the same one found in the lower end of the Dakota lineup. Two transmissions – a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic – determine the gear ratio sent to all four corners or solely to the rear wheels, as all trim lines are available in either 2WD or 4WD. The standard LS trim brings air conditioning, tinted glass, manually-adjusted sideview mirrors, tachometer, a single-disc CD player with four speakers, a 40/20/40 split front bench seat, and 16-inch steel wheels wrapped in 245/70R16 all-season tires. Adding the optional Power and Convenience Package adds more goodies, with power windows, locks and mirrors; keyless entry; rear seating; floor mats; a tilt steering wheel; and cruise control.

Upgrading to the DuroCross V6 trim strengthens the standard feature list considerably, including fog lamps, fender flares with mud guards, a bed liner, exterior side steps, darker window tinting, a sliding rear window, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, DuroCross floor mats, a heavy-duty cooling system, and 16-inch alloy wheels inside 265/70R16 all-season tires. Opting for 4WD in this version sets you up with LT265/70R16 B.F. Goodrich all-terrain tires, high-pressure gas shocks, a limited-slip differential, and a skid plate package. Options include larger power-adjusted and heated 6x9-inch exterior mirrors, a hood protector, wheel locks, a spare tire lock and a bed rail protector. DuroCross V6 models are also available with the Sound Option Package, which features a six-disc CD changer, Sirius satellite radio, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and a subwoofer. Interestingly, front bucket seats flanking a full floor console are also included with the Sound Package.

In addition to a 4.7-liter V8 engine and five-speed automatic transmission, DuroCross V8 models are trimmed with machine-finished alloy wheels; a power driver's seat; Bluetooth hands-free cell communications technology; satin interior accents; and a heavy-duty Towing Package with a Class IV receiver, 7-pin wiring harness, 4 to 7-pin wiring adaptor, limited-slip differential, and a 3.92:1 rear axle ratio.

At the top end, XLS Double Cab models get the V8 engine and five-speed automatic tranny, but also include an automatic dimming rearview mirror, front bucket seats, rear window defroster, standard power 6x9-inch heated mirrors, leather seats with front heaters, available full-time 4WD, 17-inch chrome wheels with 265/65R17 tires, the Towing Package, and the Sound Option Package – called High-Output Audio in this version.


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