You've got to hand it to Mitsubishi customers. They know what they like and  like what they know. The latest seven-seat Shogun Sport may be a bit rough around the edges - primarily because it's based on the no-frills L200 pickup truck - but because around 90% of all Shogun Sports will be specified with a tow bar, outdoor pursuit capabilities will take precedence over on-road refinements, every day of the week.

Indeed, Mitsubishi describes the Shogun Sport as 'built for the most extreme family adventures', which is why it comes with loads of off-road features as part of the Super Select II all-wheel-drive system. These include a low-range gearbox, locking differentials and a terrain selector system, with different modes for gravel, snow and mud, sand and rocky surfaces. It also comes with hill descent control and trailer assist. On top of this, it boasts seriously generous clearance between the tyres and wheel arches and a 700mm wading depth, which means you'll be everyone's new best friend the next time we get hit by those savage winter flash floods.

Although it is mightily impressive off-road, back on the black stuff, the Sport isn't quite so beguiling. While the ride feels akin to being tossed around on a bouncy castle - no doubt this improves when fully laden or towing a trailer - you never really lose the sensation that you are driving a big, heavy car. Equally, changes of direction are not something to be entered into rashly. Instead, it's best to kick back, take in the scenery and let things meander along.

Engine options include just one 2.4-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, the same as that found in the L200, producing 181hp which is  mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The engine's unrefined character may not be as obvious in Mitsubishi's rugged pickup, but it's not great in the Shogun Sport. Even when accelerating in a modest fashion, it sounds and feels like it is working like billy-o to bring the Sport up to a comfortable cruising speed. 

Despite the fact the engine defaults to two-wheel-drive mode on-road to boost fuel economy, the 181hp is only enough to manage 33.2mpg on the combined cycle. That's pretty tawdry when you compare it to rivals such as the Nissan X-Trail. 

Of course, because it towers so high, you'll need to do a wee bit of ascent work before you even set off. Thankfully, Mitsubishi has fitted pillar-mounted grab handles, to haul yourself up into the elevated cabin. 

Once on board, you may notice that the Shogun Sport is smaller than the long-wheelbase version of the Shogun it replaces but the cabin is still spacious enough for five adults. Further back, there's a couple of additional seats to make seven in total, but, because leg room is so tight, they're only really suitable for small children. 

As for load space, at just 131 litres, it's tight with all seven seats in place but this can be expanded to 502 by dropping the rear seats or 1,488 litres with all of the rear seats folded down.