Still a stalwart?

Mitsubishi’s Shogun has been a popular choice with UK farmers since it became available in the 1980s. David Williams tried out the latest model. The Shogun has a reputation for quality build, comfort and reliability at an affordable price and the latest long wheelbase version, with seven seats was supplied for the week-long Farmers Guide test. Power is from a 3.2-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine producing 190hp, driving through a 5-speed automatic transmission. Performance is good with plenty of torque allowing speed to be maintained on slopes without changing down. Good acceleration makes it easy to pull out from slip roads in heavy traffic, but the 4-cylinder engine sounds harsh when it’s worked hard until cruising speed is achieved. The gearbox shifts smoothly in normal driving, despite having only five ratios while some competitors have up to nine. The Shogun offers capable off-road performance and great towing ability and, as well as

standard 2wd high range there is a transfer box offering 4wd high, and 4wd high and low range both with locked differentials. Grip at the rear wheels is easily lost when accelerating hard on wet or greasy roads in 2wd but electronic traction control quickly cuts in to help maintain the intended travel direction.

Versatile The Shogun is spacious and front row seats have plenty of legroom. Full leather on the version tested is easily wiped clean and is practical. Electric adjustment for the driver and passenger seats is handy and the seat heaters work well. There is decent storage for odds and ends including a large glovebox and good-size door pockets. The centre console offers reasonable storage in upper and lower compartments and the top section slides forward to use as an armrest. Controls are suitably rugged for

The latest Shogun is a practical farm vehicle.

use with wet, cold hands, including the thick-rimmed leather trimmed steering wheel. Climate control is fully automatic with separate adjustment and air distribution for passengers in the middle row seats. There is a decent lever-type handbrake, preferred by many to switch-operated alternatives. The combined sat-nav, radio and media system is extremely complex, and comes with its own 230-page all-English instruction manual, which takes up considerable glovebox space. The main screen, used for navigation, is difficult to view safely while driving as it is lower than ideal. The hands-free phone system is

excellent. During the week-long test when making numerous calls there wasn’t an occasion when the voiceactivated dialling misunderstood an instruction. Visibility all-around is excellent, including to the rear over the three rows of seats. Large mirrors offer a decent view to the sides helping avoid gatepost knocks and a rear view camera makes reversing easy including backing up to hitch a trailer.

Passengers or goods The mid-row seats are comfortable with reasonable legroom, especially continued over...

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