Mitsubishi claims the Shogun is good enough to gain a four-star rating out of five in official European crash tests, indicating a potentially high standard of Mitsubishi Shogun safety, although it hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP. Electronic stability control, which can help correct a vehicle’s line during a skid, is fitted as standard as well as twin front, side and curtain airbags.

Mitsubishi Shogun practicality is excellent as, in five-seat configuration, the long wheelbase Shogun offers a generous 663 litres of luggage space up to window level and a maximum of 1,789 litres to roof level with all seats folded. The three-door version has a minimum of 290 litres, or 1,119 litres with the rear seats folded. In the five-door model, with the part-time third-row seats in place there is 215 litres of luggage space behind them – about as good as most large seven-seat cars.

There are a few storage compartments in the cabin, including one between the front seats, and the glove compartment is a decent size. Towing ability is a hefty 3,300kg braked (although a Discovery III will cope with 3,500kg).