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The 2009 Mitsubishi Raider is largely unchanged for what is likely its final model year. This pickup truck is a restyled Dodge Dakota. Raider comes in a single LS trim level. A 4-door extended cab is rear-wheel drive only.

The 4-door Double Cab crew cab is available with rear drive or part-time 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but has a low-range gear for off-roading. All have a 210-hp 3.7-liter V6. Extended cabs are available with a 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.Maximum towing capacity is 4150 lb. Double Cabs are automatic only.

The only available safety feature is rear-wheel ABS. Traction control, an antiskid system, and curtain side airbags are unavailable. Raider’s performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Dakotas.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Raider has been discontinued, but examples of 2009 models may be available on dealer lots.

After the 2010 Mitsubishi Raider completes its model year run, Mitsubishi has announced they will no longer produce the mid-size pickup truck. Built on the Dodge Dakota platform and supplied by Chrysler LLC, the Mitsubishi Raider’s debut in 2005 was not met with any especially remarkable market success, and did not weather the industry storm nearly as well as its more established pickup brethren. At the height of the auto crisis in 2008, although the pickup truck segment as a whole managed to save some face, the Mitsubishi Raider took a huge hit. In 2008, the Raider’s U.S. sales were tumbled to 2,935 units, down 64.5% from 2007.

Ultimately seeking to remain a viable competitor in the U.S. segment, Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko recently announced that Mitsubishi would be gutting its North American lineup in preparation for the introduction of several smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Raider now more a liability than an asset, Masuka confirmed that Mitsubishi would be removing the pickup from the model lineup, and does not have any immediate plans to replace it.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander lineup receives a few changes. This compact crossover SUV comes in ES, SE, and XLS trims, each with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Outlander’s AWD system can be set for front-drive only, for AWD, and for a locked-in 50/50 front/rear power split.

The SE trim level replaces the LS. ES and SE versions have a 168-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). XLS has a 220-hp 3.0-liter V6 and a 6-speed automatic. The V6 is not offered on the ES or SE. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lb. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags.

The ES seats five. XLS seats up to seven via a 3rd-row bench that folds into a well in the cargo floor. The 3rd-row bench seat is optional on the SE. All Outlanders are available with a wireless cell-phone link and a navigation system with a 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing digital music files.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander gets freshened styling and a new sporty model. This compact crossover SUV comes in ES, SE, and XLS trims, each with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. New for 2010 is the sport-themed GT, which is AWD only. Outlander’s AWD system can be set for front-drive only, for AWD, and for a locked-in 50/50 front/rear power split.

ES and SE versions have a 168-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves much like an automatic. XLS and GT have a 230-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 and a 6-speed automatic. The V6 is not offered on the ES or SE. Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags that cover the first two seating rows, and front-side airbags.

The ES seats 5. XLS and GT seat up to 7 via a 3rd-row bench that folds into a well in the cargo floor. The 3rd-row bench seat is optional on the SE. All Outlanders are available with a wireless cell-phone link. SE, XLS, and GT are available with Fuse, a voice-recognition system for cell phones and MP3 players. A navigation system with real-time traffic information, hard drive for storing digital-music files, and rearview camera are optional on the XLS and GT.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer lineup receives a new model and more available power. Front-wheel-drive Lancer DE and ES trims are offered with a 152-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The front-drive GTS model has a new 168-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. DE, ES and GTS are available with a manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

New for 2009 is the Lancer Ralliart. It has all-wheel drive and a 237-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Lancer Evolution carries over as a 2008 model. Evolution has all-wheel drive and comes in GSR and MR trims, each with a 291-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. GSRs have a 5-speed manual transmission; MRs have a 6-speed automatic.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. GTS has a firmer suspension and sporty body trim. Most models are available with a touch-screen navigation system and a 30-gigabyte hard drive for storage and playback of digital audio files.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback marks the return of a 4-door hatchback body style to this compact-car lineup. Sedan versions of Mitsubishi’s smallest car continue without any major changes for 2010. Front-wheel-drive Lancer DE and ES sedans are powered by a 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The front-drive GTS sedan and new GTS Sportback have a 168-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. DE, ES, and GTS are available with a manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves much like an automatic.

The Lancer Ralliart reprises its sedan body style and also offers a Sportback hatchback. Ralliarts have all-wheel drive and a 237-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The AWD Lancer Evolution returns after a hiatus during the 2009 model year. It reprises GSR and MR trims, each with a 291-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. GSRs have a 5-speed manual transmission; MRs have a 6-speed automatic.

New for 2010 is an Evolution MR Touring, which includes leather upholstery and a sunroof. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. Most models are available with a touchscreen navigation system and a 30-gigabyte hard drive for storage and playback of digital-music files.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant gets freshened styling and adds models to its lineup. The ES and Ralliart versions of this midsize car are joined for 2009 by the Sport Edition and Sport V6. ES and Sport Edition have a 160-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that teams with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Sport V6 models use a 230-hp 3.8-liter V6. Ralliarts have a 258-hp 3.8-liter V6. All V6 Galants use a 5-speed automatic.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Ralliarts have specific styling cues and suspension tuning.