Overview & Reviews

Though it's known mostly for its sporty cars and SUVs, Mitsubishi has been slapping its badge on small pickups in the U.S. market for almost three decades. In fact, one of its first U.S.-bound products was a compact pickup truck rebadged as a Dodge.

When it was finally retired after the 2009 model year, the Mitsubishi Raider was the brand's only pickup offering. Its aggressive styling allowed it to slot in well with other fearlessly styled products in the Mitsubishi line. However, underneath the Raider's bulging fenders was essentially a midsize Dodge Dakota pickup.

This lineage gave the Raider a few advantages. It had plenty of towing capacity and it had a spacious cabin. But there were plenty of drawbacks as well. The V6 was anemic, and the Mitsubishi Raider also lacked a long-bed option and the refinement of its competitors. Safety features, too, were woefully inadequate. As such, most used pickup shoppers would be better served by competing trucks such as the Nissan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma.

Most Recent Mitsubishi Raider

Introduced for 2006, the Mitsubishi Raider went through a strange reverse progression of sorts. Although the basic truck (essentially a clone of the Dodge Dakota) itself barely changed, it lost equipment through the intervening years.

Initially available with a 4.7-liter V8 and in a number of trim levels, the Raider lost the V8 option, as well as the available side curtain airbags and four-wheel antilock brakes, for 2008. This left buyers with only a 210-horsepower V6 for the final two years of production. As such, if your heart is set on a used Mitsubishi Raider, we'd advise you to focus on well-equipped models from 2006 and '07. During its entire production run, however, a six-speed manual transmission was standard with a four-speed automatic available as an option. Rear-wheel drive was also standard, while four-wheel drive was optional.

The Raider was offered in two body styles, an extended cab (with rear-opening access doors with a 6.5-foot bed) and a more spacious crew cab (called Double Cab) with a 5-foot bed. Initially, there were three trim levels: LS, DuroCross and XLS. LS extended cabs came with a front bench seat, air-conditioning, a CD player and tinted glass. LS Double Cabs added power windows and locks, keyless entry and cruise control. Midlevel DuroCross models received 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, heavy-duty cooling, full power accessories and bucket seats, while 4WD versions got all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, firmer shocks, skid plates and a limited-slip differential. The range-topping XLS was only available as a Double Can and added 17-inch chrome wheels, an Alpine sound system, satellite radio, leather upholstery and seat heaters.

For 2007, the XLS trim was dropped and replaced by the similarly equipped SE, which was the only model that was offered with the 4.7-liter V8. The Raider lineup was further pared down for 2008, dropping the V8 engine altogether and offering only the LS trim level with several options. In its final 2009 model year, a tilt steering wheel was added, but the auxiliary audio jack was deleted.

The Raider's cabin was spacious. The Double Cab had a respectable amount of room for four adults. The rear seats flipped up and revealed built-in storage trays. The extended cab didn't have as much interior space, however, and its rear seats were quite cramped. Fit and finish wasn't up to the standards of competing models, and there wasn't much to distinguish this pickup's cabin other than a bit of aluminum trim and a few white-faced gauges.

In road tests, we found the Mitsubishi Raider to be stable and steady on all manner of roads. The pickup's shift-on-the-fly 4WD system provided especially good traction on rough terrain. The two major downsides were under the hood and in the safety department: The weak V6, and the lack of safety features that were previously available. Many competitors offered safer and more capable pickups. In this case, the old buyer's adage -- "you get what you pay for" -- held true.

User Reviews:

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  Returning to an Old Friend - 2007 Mitsubishi Raider
  By David T - January 19 - 2:10 pm

  The last truck I owned was a 1997 Dodge Dakota. I was in the market to buy one again, the size always seemed perfect, but I dont like the styling of the new Dakota. So I took a look at the Raider, which is its structural twin, even assembled at the same plant. The handling has been improved vastly, and the new version is even lighter then my previous. 1997 Dakota weighed in at 5,480 lbs w/ V-8 & std. cab and Raider is 4,287 lbs w/ V-6 and extended cab. Being 1,200 lbs lighter and only 20 HP short of my last, it accelerated very nice, and the economy is better, although like all of us Id like to see it a little better. Maybe they can bring the 5-speed auto to the V-6 next year.

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  07 Raider SE 4.7L V-8 - 2007 Mitsubishi Raider
  By Eire - September 25 - 3:50 pm

  Was looking for a Dakota but like others did not like the new front end. After looking at other mid size trucks and comparing the prices decide to go with this one. Love the V-8 and get the same mpg as a V-6 is great. Has good power and the truck rides great. Interior is comfortable and the kids love all the room they have in the back.

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  Nice Truck, Great Value, Poor Fuel MPG - 2006 Mitsubishi Raider
  By CTG in Seattle - June 21 - 8:46 am

  Ive had this truck for most of this year and its a good truck. The V8 pulls the wave runners and camper easily. The back seat with the double cab has plenty of room, its a fabulous looking truck. No problems so far. The gas mileage though is very poor and I was hoping for a few MPG better than Im getting with mostly highway driving. Mine came fully and the 5 year warranty make it a great value. All leather, V8, power everything, 5 disc changer, bluetooth, etc. I like it.

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  It is a Shame... - 2006 Mitsubishi Raider
  By Macflo - April 2 - 4:13 am

  I heard this truck will no longer be sold. Mitsubishi will stop its production. It is a shame because this Dakota makeup is the best truck I have driven in years besides the additional benefits like 5/60k warranty and lots of toys included for a very reasonable price. I owned a 02 Dodge Dakota equipped with the same engine; when I tested the Raider the salesman told me the trucks are the same. I only needed the demo ride to know this guy was wrong, the Raider is a superior vehicle in all areas. This 4.7 engine made by Daimler is the best in all the Chrysler/Dodge inventory. I suggest adding a K&N filter to improve gas mileage and wow you will see the acceleration. Take care not burn too much rubber.

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  Great Price - Great Performance - 2007 Mitsubishi Raider
  By RicZ - March 13 - 11:30 am

  I bought the 2007 truck one year ago. I have never regretted it. What attracted me to this truck was the value. I compared all other 4 door trucks - none came close to the price. The nearest truck in its class was $8k more. Other than the Sirius radio, nothing fancy. Good fit and finish. Cloth seats are comfortable. Smooth and quiet ride. The low gear ratio gives it a gutsy feel. The 6 cylinders make the engine responsive - not enough to burn rubber, but confident to pass on the highway. The only downside is the gas mileage - not bad, but not good either. I average around 16-17 in the city and about 18-20 on the highway. Overall, Im very happy with the performance.

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  Its a Truck?? - 2008 Mitsubishi Raider
  By Kusch - March 8 - 9:20 pm

  The only thing that makes this a truck is a bed and a bumper hitch!! Granted, at the time of purchase, I was looking for an SUV, after years of driving a Full Size F150. So, I settled for 50/50. I loved it, until I bought a boat. After a few months of towing on the weekends.......things started going wrong. I figured Id save up the problems and turn it in for service and warranty at the one year mark. Its at the dealership now...and Im waiting...and waiting... The service and warranty are great, they just had alot of stuff to fix. Bottom line, if you want a truck, buy a truck. If you want a nice looking 4 dr, but this truck. Do not treat it like your last pick-up, as it wont last long.

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  Good truck inexperienced service - 2007 Mitsubishi Raider
  By james2468 - March 1 - 10:16 pm

  INQUIRY DETAILS I have a 2007 Raider extended cab trouble free for so far, 81,000 miles. Its like a Dakota but only 3/4 of the cost and a bit more style.The V6 does not have a lot of power for towing but it sure uses a lot less gas than my F150 did. Quiet and stable on the highway, good trade off between load carrying and ride. I would buy another one. The only thing I would change is the factory Goodyear tires wore out fast and had poor traction in the rain and snow. This truck is basically a dodge underneath and the Mitsubishi dealership knows not much about them. When the truck has 17,000 miles they recommended that the transmission would need some work on warranty.

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  Nice Truck Among All Small Trucks - 2006 Mitsubishi Raider
  By SJ Navy Recruiter - January 14 - 3:03 am

  I told myself that I would never buy a truck ever in my life. That was until I saw the Raider. I didnt even know Mitsubishi went back to the pickup business, til I saw the truck at the dealer. Its a nice truck and it rides nice. Everything in it is nice. Plus it comes with a good waranty. You wont pay a dime for the scheduled maintenance. I will enjoy driving this truck for a while.

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  Most disappointing Mitsubishi - 2008 Mitsubishi Raider
  By fraggledrock - January 3 - 10:09 pm

  I was a devoted Mitsubishi owner because my Mighty Max served me so well for 15 years & over 200K miles until it was totaled. I bought a 2008 Raider expecting the same durability & have never been so wrong! At 62K miles the Raider has major mechanical issues - bearing failure in the rear differential. To make matters worse the component isnt repairable & requires complete component replacement. Unlike most 2008 models from Mitsubishi, these units do not have a 10 year 100,000 mile power train warranty a clear statement of no confidence by the manufacturer.

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  A Serious Owners Review - 2006 Mitsubishi Raider
  By Michael - September 13 - 3:46 pm

  I have had this truck for under a year. Within the first 2,000 miles after driving a 3 hour continuous ride the truck overheated - next I have been fighting with my dealer for 10 months to get the LOUD rattling of the poorly designed and poorly secured rubber bumper to be fixed. They say its the design and normal noise. If I paid all this money for a MAJOR loud rattle I would have gotten a cheap used car - under a year, also the molding around the wheel flares are ALL getting unglued. I am going to proceed with my lemon lawsuit (DO NOT PURCHASE ONE!)