Middle America is the land of the pickup truck. In Kansas and Missouri trucks are used extensively for both personal and commercial activities. Women, Men and teenage drivers often form a special bond with their truck. From the days of the Model T, trucks have held a special place in the heart of our country. Many consider the pickup as American as Baseball and Apple Pie.

While foreign automakers made significant inroads gaining market share of cars, imports were effectively shut out of the American pickup truck market. During the 1980's and 90's, imported cars flooded the American market incurring a relatively modest 2.5% tariff, while trucks were slapped with a protectionist level 25% tariff. This stiff import tariff known as the "Chicken Tax" is a result of a 1960's trade dispute with Europe over frozen chickens from America. While originally aimed at Europe, this tax has applied to all trucks not built in North America since 1963.

Not ones to be thwarted by a 25% tax, foreign automakers have found many ways to provide competitively priced pickups to the American truck buyer. Mitsubishi found that cooperation with the Dodge division of Daimler-Chrysler to be a profitable venture. The 2006 Mitsubishi Raider is essentially a rebadged, reskinned and repackaged version of the Dodge Dakota. Because it is built in North America it does not incur the extra 25% tariff and therefore is competitively priced.

My test drive of the 2006 Mitsubishi Raider XLS Double Cab 4X4 proved that Mitsubishi offers a very competitive package for the American pickup buyer. While the 2006 Mitsubishi shares a foundation with its Dodge cousin the Mitsubishi certainly stands on its own four wheels.

The exterior styling is pure Mitsubishi, young, sleek and fashionable. Pronounced front and rear fenders communicate power and muscle, while the front grill provides focus to the Tri-Star Mitsubishi logo. Personally I would like less of a logo on the grill.

Interior styling of the 2006 Mitsubishi Raider XLS Double Cab 4X4 is fresh and relaxing. Everything is in the right place and finished in quality materials. The Mitsubishi Raider is perfectly sized, positioned squarely between a compact truck yet smaller than a full size pickup. It's easy to park and maneuver around town yet has plenty of storage space.

My test truck was equipped with the 4.7 Liter V8 Engine. Producing 290 lbs. ft. torque and 230 horsepower this engine provided smooth power in every situation and is capable of towing up to 6,300 lbs. Rated at 20 MPG on the highway the Raider is an efficient fuel sipper.

While the base 2006 Mitsubishi Raider starts at slightly over $21,000, my test vehicle was priced at $34,720 plus the $800 hard folding tonneau cover. Comparing the 2006 Mitsubishi Raider with the Dodge Dakota is unavoidable due to the common heritage. As with many American brands, Dodge allows the buyer to pick and choose among an array of options and accessories. The Mitsubishi includes most all desirable options in the base price. Comparing the two trucks, I found less than $500 difference between comparably equipped Dakota and Raider trucks. Where Mitsubishi has a clear advantage is in the Warranty. The Mitsubishi Raider is backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile, fully transferable, Bumper-to-Bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Dodge has scaled back their warranty to 3-year/36,000 miles.

The 2006 Mitsubishi Raider XLS Double Cab 4X4 truck offers plenty of comfort and power in a right sized truck with a long warranty.