Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 DI-DC Warrior 3dr Car Review - March 2012

The amount of power means that the Shogun does drive very well off road, and the low gear ratios means that it has plenty of pull and grip too, but things aren't so much fun when you get back onto the black-top. The Shogun 3.2 DI-DC Warrior feels cumbersome and exhibits a lot of body lean when cornering. The steering isn't the quickest to respond and the car also suffers from a firm ride. One plus point is that the driving position offers good visibility to the front and the rear of the vehicle, however, the steering wheel doesn't adjust for reach.

The 3.2 litre engine isn't too shabby when it comes to performance, with acceleration from 0-62mph taking only 9.7 seconds, which isn't bad for a big vehicle like this. The top speed of 111mph also means that the Shogun 3.2 DI-DC Warrior won't be out of its depth on the motorway, but the sheer amount of noise at speed will make long motorway hauls in the Shogun an uncomfortable proposition.

The Shogun 3.2 DI-DC Warrior has a raw, utilitarian charm. The large grille and headlight clusters make for an attractive front end, and the back end is also designed for functionality with a spare wheel mounted on the square door. Inside, the cabin is quite nice, with some luxurious touches in stark contrast to the Shogun's exterior functionality.

Leather seats and satellite navigation are benefits of opting for the Warrior model, and power heated seats and power folding mirrors are also nice touches. Climate control and cruise control are also included as standard with this car, and the CD stereo with MP3 connectivity and alloy wheels are features which would be expected from a vehicle with a price tag as high as the Shogun's.

There is no doubt that there is plenty of space within the Shogun 3.2 DI-DC Warrior, but the three-door body makes access to the rear seats tricky. The boot space is very good, and there is plenty of space for luggage.

Mitsubishi has a very good reputation for making reliable cars, and the Shogun is designed for durability and has simple engineering which should make it fairly reliable.

Although it hasn't been submitted to the Euro NCAP tests, it does seem to be a safe car with plenty of airbags, and the sheer size of the Shogun 3.2 DI-DC Warrior means that occupants should be well protected in a crash. The Shogun also has plenty of driver aids which should help to keep all four wheels on the road.

The hefty purchase price of £32,599 means that this isn't a vehicle that is cheap to purchase, and it is no kinder on the wallet to run. The 3.2 litre diesel engine is not the most efficient in its class by a long shot, delivering an average 36.2mpg.

Insurance is fairly high at Group 30, and the Shogun does seem to depreciate more than other vehicles in the class. CO2 emissions of 207g/km mean VED group K and tax costs of £550 for the first year and £245 a year thereafter.

The Shogun is supplied with a three year unlimited mileage warranty, and the strong engineering is supported with a three year roadside breakdown assistance policy.