First sold in the UK early in 2003, the current Shogun was even then not a completely new model. Apart from a few revisions including a drop in price and the addition of don't-frighten-the-horses styling (in contrast to the previous aggressive design which the company later acknowledged had harmed sales), this was essentially the same vehicle that had been introduced to the market three years previously.Even then, it felt like a sturdy machine. The term SUV (or "sports utility vehicle") is increasingly being applied to 4x4s these days, but it doesn't seem appropriate in this case. Now more than ever, after the introduction of more refined and luxurious vehicles which certainly do rate the SUV tag, the Shogun feels like an old-school off-roader.You get that impression from the moment you turn the key. The 3.2-litre turbo diesel engine clatters into life, and does little else but clatter until you switch it off. In this respect the Shogun always feels agricultural, yet I somehow don't have a problem with it. While other, more recently designed 4x4s almost seem to disguise their ability to tackle rough terrain, there is never a moment's doubt that the Shogun would be more than happy to scramble up a riverbank any time you wanted it to. I think there is something refreshing in this display of automotive honesty.I'm less keen to raise a glass to the Tigger-like ride quality. I took the Shogun to the launch of another car, clocking up about 400 miles in the space of two days. I was impressed that I could do the whole trip on a single tank of diesel, slightly less so that I bounced all the way there and all the way back. And that included the long stretches of motorway. To that extent, the five-door long-wheelbase Shogun would probably have been the better option.Equally, the long-wheelbase version is the one you want if you have ambitions to carry four fully-grown adults and a decent amount of luggage. On the other hand - and as mentioned in our launch report - the short car, rather surprisingly, handles noticeably better. Ignore the pogostick effect and you'll find that the Shogun tackles corners with remarkable enthusiasm. There's lots of grip, and although there's also lots of body roll it's well controlled. On country roads (including a really splendid shortcut near Carlisle), the Shogun is actually fun to drive. No, really.The test car was in the range-topping Warrior trim level, which is basically the same as Elegance apart from the addition of satellite navigation as standard. This is a very good system, clearly displayed, and spoiled only by the fact that you have to operate it using a remote control unit. Like the Elegance, but unlike lesser models, the Warrior also features cruise control and leather seats.At £27,999, it's quite far up the Shogun price range, but you can spend more if you want to. There's the long-wheelbase option, which is really a lifestyle decision. You can also choose the 3.5-litre V6 petrol unit, but the single benefit of doing so as far as I'm concerned is that it sounds (a) better and (b) quieter. It's also more powerful, at 200bhp compared to the 158bhp of the diesel, but you really have to work hard to release the performance. In the diesel, the performance is sitting waiting for you, and it takes little more than a twitch on the accelerator pedal to find it.I didn't take the test car on to the muddy stuff, but from past experience with similar models at the press launch I can confirm that it's very capable, even if it doesn't have the dazzling ability of, for example, the Land Rover Discovery. A typical Mitsubishi feature - and a useful selling point - is that the Shogun has four transmission modes according to the driving conditions. For road use in anything but the most severe weather, leaving the system in rear-wheel drive is the way to go, not least because it helps with the fuel economy. Engine 3200cc Power 158bhp Fuel/CO2 26.9mpg / 278g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 13.2 seconds Top speed 106mph Price £27,999 Details correct at publication date
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