Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Model update: Mitsubishi Shogun Sport 4 auto
Cookies on Businesscar

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time

BusinessCar magazine website email Awards mobile

The start point for the best source of fleet information

Model update: Mitsubishi Shogun Sport 4 auto

Date: 09 July 2020   |   Author: Richard Bush

Some fleets will always need the capability of an authentic 4x4, and Mitsubishi's latest offering shows its heritage.
What's new:
We took an opportunity to refresh our impressions of the car, two years after the launch event.
Standard equipment:
DAB radio, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, leather seats.

Looking back 30 years or so, all 4x4s were off-roaders. There weren't too many of them, but most were fairly capable. Tastes evolve, and while many cars now have the proportions of the 4x4s of old, there is limited demand for off-road prowess.

While a user-chooser might want one of these SUVs, with two-wheel drive and low-profile road tyres, some businesses still need cars with more capability away from smooth road surfaces.

The Mitsubishi Shogun Sport is one of those limited options, sharing underpinnings with the L200, with seven seats and a go-anywhere, ask questions later, kind of attitude.

The Shogun Sport may not be the most subtle off-roader - standing at almost 5m long and 2m tall - but there's no denying that it's capable. Underneath its bulky exterior sits an old-school ladder frame chassis, a locking rear differential and a comprehensive four-wheel drive system. And depending on what terrain you're tackling, there are multiple four-wheel drive modes to choose from, including a gravel and mud/snow mode.

It's capable of shifting the engine's power to the gripping wheels and lugging itself over hills and holes with ease. Its 218mm of ground clearance, 700mm wading depth and 3.1t towing capacity are impressive too.

However, when you're on-road, cruising in the Shogun Sport's standard two-wheel, rear-wheel drive mode, it's a bit of a different story. First off, the 181hp 2.4-litre diesel engine can feel a little lethargic and slow to react at times, which is mainly due to the eight-speed automatic gearbox it comes mated to. It does feature steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters though, with their manual gear-shifting capabilities taking some of the frustration out of those slow gear changes. 

The steering lacks feel, and the ride, although generally comfortable, never quite feels settled, as it tends to jitter over even the tiniest imperfections in the road.

All things considered however, the Shogun Sport is not undriveable - its character is just akin to a van or pick-up truck, rather than an SUV. If you're okay with an agricultural feel, then you'll be able to live with it.

While it doesn't look like the Starship Enterprise inside, there's enough equipment on offer to keep its occupants comfortable, entertained and safe. The 4 grade we tested came fitted with DAB radio, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and plush leather seats. Strangely, there's no fitted satellite navigation option, but with Apple Carplay and Android Auto drivers can use their favourite smartphone navigation app instead. The touchscreen system this equipment lives in has a dated style, but functionality-wise, it's fine.

Aside from kit, the interior offers hard-wearing plastics and a few soft-touch areas. Its interior might seem unsophisticated to drivers used to car-like SUVs, but its utilitarian appeal matches its off-road nous. 

In the rear, there's tons of space for two passengers - or three if the middle passenger doesn't mind sitting with their knees up - and thanks to a slightly raised rear bench, rear passengers will easily be able to see the road ahead. The rear seats also recline for added comfort. 

Accessing the rearmost seats can be a little tricky at first, but overall the Shogun Sport does a good job of packaging them. The middle seats actually roll forward for ease of access, although what follows is a few clunks and clicks to get the two furthest seats in place. Once set up, the rearmost seats offer limited space, but kids should be fine. Thankfully, these seats fold down almost completely flat to allow for a large loading bed in the boot, although the seats in the middle bench do stick up, creating a barrier behind the front seats.

With all the seats folded, you're looking at 1,500 litres of storage space, with the wide, unobstructed boot opening being a definite plus.

Mitsubishi Shogun Sport 4 auto 

P11D: £37,650

Residual value: 40.2%

Depreciation: £22,525

Fuel: £9,084

Service, maintenance and repair: £3,450

Cost per mile: 58.4p

Fuel consumption: tbc

CO2 (BIK band): tbc (37%) 

BIK 20/40% a month: £232/£464

Boot space: 131 litres (behind third row of seats)

Engine size/power: 2,442cc/181hp

 

 


Verdict


6/10
  • Capable off-roader
  • Decent equipment list
  • Seven seats
  • Cumbersome to drive
  • Lacklustre interior design
  • Expensive (for what it is)

Share


Subscribe