2006 Mitsubishi Raider Road Test

An Alternative Pickup in Every Way but Functionality

There are two people in a previous generation Toyota Tacoma pickup truck making "roll down your window" hand gestures at me

It's not everyday that I get stopped in the middle of the street. It seems that people seem to like the new Raider. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

and my new friend and fellow scribe Mark as we're meandering through Vancouver, Washington, feebly trying to find our way back to the I-5 and then onto the bridge to Portland, Oregon... lost once again. Looking at each other briefly before agreeing it was safe to engage conversation, the couple was easily in their '70s after all, Mark dropped the driver's side glass and we both smiled questioningly.

"What's that you're driving," came a quizzical enquiry from a smiling southerner... probably a Texan drawl if I'm not mistaken.

"We'll tell you if you'll help us find our way back to the I-5," I responded smiling.

They

The new Raider is getting noticed, which is half the battle. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

consented instantly, still smiling, telling us to pass the light in front of us and then turn right onto the 405, which would merge into the 14 and then the I-5.

"It's Mitsubishi's new Raider pickup truck," my colleague continued, satisfied that we had received the information that was most critical to us at this juncture, which was the end of a long and much maligned test of our navigation skills (or more likely our gift of the gab and unwillingness to pay attention to the directions at hand).

"I like it a lot," added the husband, joined by a smiling nod of appreciation from his better half.

We proceeded to let him know why he hadn't seen a Raider yet, that it was a preproduction example of a vehicle that would be coming out in a few months, and the two once again nodded their approval.

"It looks really good," he added. "I want that truck," he continued while looking over at his accommodating wife.