Mitsubishi

Shogun Sport

The Shogun Sport is back! The muscular SUV was a popular choice when it was on sale in the UK between 2000 and 2007 with the majority of the original models still working well today. But now, Mitsubishi has launched the all-new Shogun Sport and its brimming over with technology, while still maintaining those all-conquering off-road capabilities.

The good

Superb off-road capabilities

The bad

Quite thirsty

Tech Specs

Price from

£37,775

Combined Fuel up to

32.8mpg

0-62 from

11.0 seconds

max speed up to

112mph

co2 from

227g/km

Test Drive

Mitsubishi Shogun Sport (2018) – first drive

The Mitsubishi Shogun name conjures up images of brutal off-road capabilities, awesome towing strength and pretty decent all-round driving dynamics, but the car in its current guise has finally come to the end of the road.

In fact, production of the Shogun has now ceased, so it poses an interesting question – how will Mitsubishi plug the gap? The answer is simple – reintroduce the all-new Shogun Sport that possesses all the attributes of the outgoing Shogun model but adds refinement and modern styling to the mix.

Mitsubishi claims it is the “most advanced and capable full-size SUV ever produced” by the Japanese marque, so there are high expectations for the vehicle on all counts.

Those familiar with Mitsubishi models down the years will certainly recognise the Shogun Sport name as it was sold in the UK from 2000 to 2007 clocking up 18,500 sales and we were reliably informed that there are still more than 12,000 of those original models on our roads today.

But the latest model really raises the bar. It is available with one engine – a 2.4-litre turbo diesel delivering 181hp and 430Nm of torque. This is mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic gearbox which is exclusive to the vehicle. The giant seven-seater SUV can power from 0-62mph in 11.0 seconds and maxes out at 112mph. According to official figures, it can deliver combined fuel economy of 32.8mpg with carbon emissions of 227g/km.

When it comes to appearances, the Shogun Sport is a larger-than-life presence on the road with a powerful stance. It boasts sharply contoured sides, muscular wings, the unmistakable Mitsubishi grille housing the company emblem, chunky 18-inch wheels, rear privacy glass and LED lights.

Step inside (or rather climb onboard) and you are greeted by a wealth of creature comforts and first-class technology. There is a tall central console with piano black finishes and contrasting silver trim, leather upholstery is fitted as standard and linking up a smartphone is an effortless process via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Customers can select from two trim levels with Shogun Sport 3, priced from £37,775, featuring the likes of a reversing camera with rear parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, dual zone climate control, electrically-adjustable front seats, a touchscreen infotainment system and plenty more besides.

Move up to Shogun Sport 4, costing £39,775, and you will see the introduction of heated front seats, an upgraded sound system, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, forward collision mitigation, a 360-degree camera and a few other features.

Both versions feature Mitsubishi’s Super Select II 4WD system with off-road terrain control system and rear differential lock, hill descent control, hill start assist and trailer stability assist meaning the vehicle has real go-anywhere potential.

We had the opportunity to test out the Shogun Sport 4 both on and off road and it certainly lived up to all the hype.

Comfort levels are high for all occupants and the pair of third row seats can be raised or lowered in a matter of seconds. These offer enough space for a couple of children or for adults on a shorter journey.

The driver benefits from excellent all-round visibility thanks to the elevated seating position and, despite its size, the Shogun Sport is actually quite agile and easy to manoeuvre.

The transition through the gears is smooth enough with the option of paddles if you fancy taking more control of gear changes. And although the acceleration isn’t blisteringly fast it’s certainly adequate for such a large vehicle. The diesel powertrain is also quite refined – there is a little engine noise when starting out, but once you reach cruising speed it all seems to calm down rather nicely.

The efficient suspension system successfully irons out all but the most severe bumps and dips in the road and there is minimal body roll into bends so long as the vehicle is driven with a little caution and respect.

Next up was the off-road course which meant a trip to a working quarry. As expected, it was here that the Shogun Sport really excelled. It climbed absurdly steep inclines, waded through water that was approaching the maximum 700mm depth limit, traversed boulders and muddy tracks and tipped sideways at crazy angles whereby passengers had to hang on for dear life. The course perfectly highlighted the efficiency of the hill descent system which kept the vehicle at a controlled speed as it dropped down steep slopes. We also climbed a testing hill and put the brakes on halfway up. After a couple of seconds, the hill start assist kicked in and we moved off without a hitch.

All the off-road technology is easy to operate and switching from 2WD to 4WD can be carried out at speeds up to 62mph which can be useful if there is a sudden change in weather conditions. There is also a locking differential and 4WD lock for coping with more rugged terrain. Off road settings are gravel, mud/snow, sand and rock and once again these are simple to access.

The boot capacity on the Shogun Sport ranges from 131 litres with all seven seats in use, to 502 litres with the rear two seats dropped down and up to a maximum of 1,488 litres with rows two and three flat. Elsewhere there are numerous convenient storage compartments scattered throughout the car.

So when you factor in the comprehensive range of safety features the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport ticks all the right boxes. It may not be as refined as some rivals, or as dynamic to drive as others, but it is certainly a very competent all-rounder. In fact, the company’s slogan for the car – As Talented as it is Tough – is a perfect summary.