With 33 percent growth recorded over the first six months of the year, 4×4 Commercials are experiencing a bumper year. However this year also witnesses the end of the Land Rover Defender, one of the biggest-sellers in this market, and this week’s van deal is a perfect alternative.
The Mitsubishi Shogun, like the Land Rover Defender, is a favourite among farmers and remote area utility companies. It’s been on sale since the ’80s, but still sells well thanks for its impressive off-road capabilities and high level of specification.
Behind the wheel
As the Mitsubishi Shogun is largely based on the passenger-carrying SUV, there is a high level of kit included as standard including airbags, electric folding heated door mirrors, electric front windows, central locking, alarm and keyless entry, climate control, cruise control, leather wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, multi-info display and radio with USB and auxiliary input.
Cargo Area
The wide-opening rear cargo door reveals a fairly limited load space, measuring 1.12 and 1.79 cubic metres on the short and long wheelbases respectively. Both measure 1,395 wide and 1,105mm high, and 840mm on the short or 1,430mm on the long.
Payload falls well short of the class average at 465kg and 635kg for the short and long wheelbases respectively, although it has a respectable towing capacity of three tonnes and 3.5 tonnes.
On and off road
The Mitsubishi Shogun is powered by a thirsty 3.2-litre engine tuned to 197bhp. Its handling and refinement on the road is poor, but it’s tough and agile off-road. This seems to be the case with most 4x4s; very few do well at both.
Its Super Select (SS4-II) four-wheel drive system has four settings and comes with electronic transfer shift and Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control System (MASTCS) clutch. It’s one of the few 4x4s that can be driven comfortably in four-wheel drive configuration on the road.
Summary
Those carrying a lot of equipment or wanting a comfortable ride, go for the Mitsubishi Outlander. However, those wanting a tough and durable workhorse, that isn’t afraid of getting dirty and can tow, then the Mitsubishi Shogun may just be for you.
It’s quite expensive to run, returning around 32mpg on the combined cycle, and has limited service intervals of 12,500 miles or 12 months, but this deal from buyacar.co.uk saves you £3,500 off the list price. That’s quite a chunk of cash.
