UNLIKE any number of fashionable 4x4s carrying prestige German names the Mitsubishi Shogun is one that is genuinely aimed at real off-road enthusiasts. Like those Teutonic status symbols, however, it also benefits from stylish good looks and some serious levels of refinement. As such you have the best of both worlds – a four-wheel drive motor that is tough enough for most terrains but perfectly acceptable for the school run or the weekly supermarket trip. What’s more the Shogun’s performance has become leaner and meaner thanks to the boffins at Mitsubishi making a number of tweaks to the 3.2-litre, four cylinder turbodiesel engine that provides the power for all models. Detailed changes have improved both economy and emissions in leaps and bounds compared even to 2009 models and moved the three-door, short wheel base Shogun to the top of it’s class in both areas. Even this longer, five door version, with five-speed automatic gearbox, is only bettered by the BMW X5 other than its smaller sibling and has seen an improvement in average fuel consumption from 26.7 to 33.2 miles per gallon while at the same time CO2 emissions have dropped from 280g/km to 224g/km. These improvements have not come at the expense of power, which has actually improved by some 18 per cent as a result of this tinkering under the bonnet – from 168bhp to 197 on the latest models. All that power obviously enhances the Shogun’s off-road credentials, but it also means it has more than enough muscle for towing and is an option well worth consideration for caravanners or horsey types who are constantly hauling their equine pals around in their trailers. In fact, along with the other improvements, the new engine also provides and increased towing capacity – from 3,300kg on the old model to 3,500kg. But if you’re not some sort of off-road adrenaline junkie, the Shogun could still be your motor if you’re simply looking for a comfortable, well-equipped and roomy family wagon – with a bit of presence. For capable as it may well be of crossing the Rocky Mountains, the Kalahari Desert or the Arctic tundra, the Shogun proves a pretty composed and comfortable drive when dealing the with lesser challenges of the M6, for instance. Acceleration is far from stellar as this is a heavy car even for that powerful 3.2-litre diesel lump to get moving, but once you’re off and running it is a comfortable cruiser on long distance trips. Light, responsive power steering means it is also manoeuvrable enough around town – but you obviously won’t be squeezing into any tight parking spaces and you’ll be glad of the rear parking camera included on this Elegance model. And there is the added bonus that the four wheel drive means you’ll be one of the few people still on the road during the extremely harsh winters we seem to be increasingly subjected to. The Shogun’s square-jawed tough and durable exterior styling is carried on inside the cabin with materials having a quality, built-to-last feel about them. The driver should feel at home with plenty of seat adjustment and space. All round vision is good and all the controls are sensibly laid out, easy to navigate and within easy reach. There is space by the bucketload for front and second row occupants although the stow away third row of seats in the back are probably best reserved for the kids. These are easily accessible, though, and do fold very easily under the boot floor when not in use, freeing up masses of load space which can be extended even further with the split folding second row seats and, again, is easily accessible via the side-hinged tailgate. Equipment levels are generous with satnav, stereo, climate control, heated front seats, alloys, electric windows and mirrors and keyless entry coming as standard across the range. The near top-of-the-range Elegance trim also adds an upgraded high-tech 30GB hard disk drive navigation system with 860W 12-speaker stereo, that rear parking camera, Bluetooth telephone capability, leather seats, privacy glass, rear aircon, rear spoiler, front fog lights and a powered sunroof among other things. And while you’re hardly likely to feel vulnerable in a car this size it’s reassuring to know that it is actually as safe as it looks with traction and stability control systems, anti-lock ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and front, side and curtain airbags standard across the range. FAST FACTS Mitsubishi Shogun LWB Elegance Price: £35,604 Mechanical: 197bhp, 2,199cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 5-speed automatic gearbox Max speed: 111mph 0-62mph: 11.1 seconds Combined mpg: 33.2 Insurance group: 34 CO2 emissions: 224g/km BIK rating: 35% Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited mileage | 
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