Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 DI-DC SG2 Auto 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The SG2’s 3.2 litre 4-cylinder diesel engine develops 197bhp at 3800 rpm, while the torque figure stands at an impressive 325lb-ft at 2000 rpm. This translates to a top speed of 111 mph, while traveling from 0-62 mph takes a reasonable 11.1 seconds.

In terms of handling, the SG2 is exceptional off-road thanks to the monstrous amount of pulling-power provided by the 3.2 litre diesel engine. A low range gearbox and diff-locks make the Shogun a capable performer in extremely muddy conditions. It is not quite so impressive on tarmac however, as the engine struggles to budge the weight of the car, meaning it can be sluggish when overtaking. The SG2 feels bulky through bends and there is a significant amount of body-lean.

The ride is uncomfortable and the soggy suspension bounces around quite a lot. The diesel engine is fairly quiet off-road at low speeds but noisy on the black-top. At motorway speeds there is a fair amount of wind noise and tyre noise is also noticeable.

The SG2 has a well-crafted, stylish exterior. The sheer size of the car means that it has a formidable on-road presence - not many people have the guts to cut up a Shogun.

Inside the cabin the materials are solid and durable. This model, like all Shoguns, has alloys, climate control, MP3-compatible CD player, electric windows and mirrors and keyless entry. Metallic paint is available at additional cost.

The SG2 is a big car with masses of space. Headroom and legroom in the rear are plentiful but, although the car is equipped with seven seats, the third row is best suited to children and adults will not be able to sit here comfortably. Boot space is generous at 1790-litres. The seats are more awkward to move than in other big 4x4s though and this means adjusting the boot space can be difficult.

The SG2 has a substantial amount of safety kit. Stability control and front, side and curtain airbags are standard throughout the range. The anti-lock brakes come with electronic brakeforce distribution to give more stable stopping power and all models feature keyless entry, plus an alarm and immobiliser to deter thieves. The SG2 is well-built and reliability should not be an issue.

The SG2 is priced at £33,779 which is cheaper than many of its rivals.

You'll get better fuel economy out of the Shogun than the Disco as well and the Mitsubishi should return 34.3mpg on the combined cycle. CO2 emissions of 216g/km put the SG2 into a fairly hefty VED band - K.

If you can put up with the steep running costs, the SG2 is actually quite a cost effective choice - substantially cheaper than a Land Rover Discovery and a lot cheaper than a Toyota Land Cruiser.