Review
/5
- Pros:
- Virtually unstoppable off-road
- Decent passenger and luggage space
- Mitsubishi's reputation for reliability
- Cons:
- Unsophisticated to drive on the road
- Loud engine, wind and tyre noise
- Hard, cheap-looking plastics inside
pictured: Mitsubishi Shogun sports utility vehicle 2012 3 door 4wd
reviewed by Carbuyer
"Rugged and dependable, the Mitsubishi Shogun is a worth a look choice for those seeking a tough 4x4 with excellent off-road ability."
At a glance
- The greenest
- 3.2 DI-DC SG2 3dr
£30,754 - The cheapest
- 3.2 DI-DC SG2 3dr
£30,754 - The fastest
- 3.2 DI-DC SG2 3dr
£30,754 - Top of the range
- 3.2 DI-DC SG4 Black Auto 5dr
£43,454
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While rivals like the Land Rover Discovery 4 have moved upmarket, the Shogun has kept its tyres firmly in the off-road camp. It's virtually unstoppable, and it has built up a loyal customer base that appreciates its dependability and strength.
You do pay for that rugged ability on the road, where the Shogun feels coarse and agricultural to drive compared to its sophisticated rivals. It undercuts them on price though, and there's no denying it looks good. Inside it's spacious, with seats for seven in the long-wheelbase model, but the interior exhibits its rugged focus, with lots of hard and shiny plastics.
Drive
Strong engine and 'go anywhere' ability
A 168bhp 3.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is the only engine choice in the Shogun, and while it has lots of power, it's far from quiet. Vibrations shudder through the interior at start-up, and it remains noisy on the move. It's gutsy though, pulling the Shogun with little effort and it will tow virtually anything, too. The suspension struggles on the road, with lots of roll in corners and an unsettled ride on anything but the smoothest surface. The manual transmission is far from precise so the automatic gearbox is the desirable choice. Take it off-road and the Shogun excels, as it can clamber, climb and wade where others wouldn’t dare.
Comfort
Falls behind rivals in comfort stakes
Measured against more sophisticated competition, the Mitsubishi Shogun is outclassed when it comes to quietness and comfort. The 3.2-litre turbodiesel engine is crude and noisy – even on a motorway cruise. Wind and road noise take over at speed, too, which perhaps explains why Mitsubishi has fitted a loud six-speaker stereo system to drown it all out. The seats are firm but flat, while the heating and ventilation system is good. The steering wheel doesn’t adjust for reach, which leaves it too far away for some drivers.
Reliability
Tough as a Tonka truck and safe to boot
The interior lacks the quality look and feel of more prestigious rivals, but it feels solidly built. The Shogun is built to be dependable, so reliability should be excellent. Standard stability and traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, front, side and curtain airbags and Isofix child seat mounts take care of safety.
Practicality
Five-door version has huge loadspace
The five-door Shogun is like an off-road van if you fold all the seats. The three-door model lacks the longer car's ultimate load carrying capacity and third-row seating. Those additional seats in the five-door version fold into the boot floor, while the second row folds, reclines and tumbles out of the way when needed. Access to the third row of seats is tricky, and their size makes them better suited to children than adults. A deep stowage box between the front seats is handy and the glovebox is a decent shape, too. The side-hinged boot door can be a nuisance – it needs a lot of space to swing open, which is difficult if someone parks behind you.
Value for money
Well-priced and generously equipped
The Shogun is a decent value proposition as it significantly undercuts many similar-sized 4x4s. Standard equipment is comprehensive, with all models including alloy wheels, an MP3-compatible audio system, climate control and cruise control.
Running costs
Expensive to tax and fill up
With fuel economy of around 25mpg across the range, the Shogun is a thirsty car, but CO2 output is respectable at 224g/km for the five-door automatic. That's significant, as it allows the Shogun to sit in Road Tax Band K, which costs £245 per year. Fixed price servicing is also offered on the Shogun, which will help to keep running costs manageable.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
