Mitsubishi Shogun review: a rough and rugged 4x4

The Mitsubishi Shogun(with Car DVD Player) is one of a few exceptions. It’s a relic from a bygone age, before the terms “soft” and “roader” were put together; when a 4x4 had a tough chassis hewn from thick steel and a four-wheel drive system that could master the muddiest of inclines. 

Of course, that means some compromises are to be had on Tarmac. But if you need a large family car with go-anywhere ability, the Shogun is one of a dying breed that might be exactly what you’re looking for. 

The Shogun is a big beast, so you’d hope it’d be really roomy inside. But sadly, that tough under-body structure takes up space, which means it… well… isn’t.

The seats are quite close to the floor, which means every passenger has to adopt a “knees up” posture – and not in a good way. That means rear seat passengers can feel quite cramped, plus those in the front can end up with their knees bashing against the bottom of the dashboard.

Meanwhile, boot access is hampered by the chunky, side-hinged rear door – you’ll need to leave lots of room behind the car when you park to open this wide. And once you get inside, the big, boxy rear wheel arches impinge rather on the boot space, and cut down on space for passengers in the rear-most row of seats

At least the front row gets plenty of head and leg room, as does the middle row if you choose a five-door model (the three-door version is quite cramped in the back). There are some decent-sized storage areas dotted around the car, too. 

It’s hard to recommend the Shogun for any sort of long journeys. For half an hour at a time, it’s bearable, but any longer than that and it starts to become tiresome. What about install Android Car Gps?

The first problem is the ride quality. It’s not that the Shogun is bone-shakingly firm, but its ride feels extremely unsophisticated, and leaves it bouncing and pitching around all over the shop.

The entry-level version of the Shogun – the SG2 – is shared between three- and five-door body styles, and gets you 18in alloy wheels, HID headlamps, cruise control, climate control, electric windows and a Bluetooth connection. Five-door models also get a third row of seats, making them seven-seaters.

From there, the range splits – the next peg up for three-door models is the Warrior, which gets you a Bluetooth hands-free kit, satellite navigation, leather seats, and a reversing camera.

The top-of-the-range three-door is the Barbarian, which adds 20in wheels, different leather trim, and a digital radio tuner.

Meanwhile, the five-door SG3 builds on the SG2 with a Bluetooth connection, satellite navigation, leather seats, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps and wipers, and an upgraded sound system – though one, curiously, without a digital radio tuner. For the parking aids and extra seats, though, it’s the one to pick, if you can stretch to it.

The five-door SG4 adds to this with 20in wheels, and a DVD system with headrest-mounted screens for rear-seat passengers.

All in all, that’s a decent number of toys for the price, but it should be noted that the Ssangyong Rexton W offers you more kit for less money.If installing an Android Car Stereo in your car, that would be great!