Mitsubishi Shogun reviews

Bought my second Shogun first registered December 2009. An excellent unmarked example delivered to me in May 2018 with 54k on the clock. Most parts available from Milner 4x4 at reasonable cost. The quality of the leather interior and vast loading capacity, for horse feed and bedding. A bit thirsty at 29 -30 mpg, but big and strong. It has more presence than a Discovery. The £500 pa road tax is unjustifiable and the only down side to it. But we love it to bits.

About 10 years ago, cars that looked like 4x4's (called 'trucks' by us rural types) were called ... well... 4x4s. Then what happened was suddenly, this American term SUV comes over - next thing you know EVERY estate car on the market is an SUV to the extent that seeing a new large estate car on the road these days is a rare thing. My inlaws have a VW that LOOKs like a 4x4... but it isn't.. it is 2wd.. what is the point of that???? The point is, of course, that the 'Sports Utility Vehicle' has taken over the Estate car and most of the 4x4 market. This has seen the death of many classic 4x4 vehicles- gone are the big Nissans, the 'proper defender', the Trooper - any pretence that the Range Rover is meant to be a rural car - it is now marketed at either footballers or women who own a chain of hair dressing salons...we've seen the transition of the Discovery from being a refined truck to being a great 4x4 but so pampered inside you're scared of letting a wet dog get into it, and so over engineered with gizmos that you would be insane to buy one out of warranty. So - what happens if you want a reliable, 'traditional' 4x4 which is both affordable, relatively comfortable, has a proper low ratio box with locking hubs. One which you don't mind throwing a horse blanket, a couple of wet dogs and a few dead pheasants? But also one you can drive 5 hours on a motorway in reasonable comfort before tacking a 5 mile unmetalled Highland road? What happens when you want all this but you don't want to drive an actual pickup truck? Well, there used to be loads of options but they have all gone, even the venerable Landrover Defender has become an SUV!. Your only options these days are a Shogun or a Land Cruiser, and, given Mitsubishi have decided to stop making the Shogun, this type of vehicle appears to be becoming extinct. But I see a huge market for it. My sister has a new Disco - it has an ivory interior. She is terrified of getting mud on the leather...what is the point of a £60k car with the Discos offroad system that loses £10k in value if you get mud satins on the white leather??? Shoguns - you just wipe down the interior! I am often very surprised at the bad press the motoring journalists give these vehicles - I think this is because they think the market for them is the same as it is for the new Disco and the XC90.... it is not. It is not the Shogun that has changed - that market has stayed the same.. it is the markets targeted by the Disco and the XC90 that represent the new and it is that market that the journalists make the excuse of assessing the Shogun against. The reality is that the Shogun needs to be measured against its ACTUAL peers: The Landcuiser The Ssanyong whatever it is called The SWB Shogun needs to be compared to the Jimmy and the Niva These vehicles are all PROPER 4x4 vehicles aimed at people who live and work in the country or have pursuits that require such a vehicle. I live in rural Northumberland and you can always spot the city types here to do some corporate shooting and fishing - they're the sort who wear matching tweeds and leather wellies and invariably drive a new Disco, Range Rover or one of the ghastly things made by Porsche or Jaguar. You can see them wince when they come across an ACTUAL rural type barrelling down a single track road at them in a Hi Lux, Shogun or old Defender! Any vehicle is only as suitable as the purpose it is bought for. It seems that a lot of the negative reviews about the Shogun seem to be from people who didn't understand what they were buying. Large 4x4s do drink fuel -it has a 3.2lt 4 pot turbo and it weighs 2.6 tonnes - of course it drinks fuel! if that is an issue for you then don't buy a large 4x4!!! Some chap even gave it 2 stars because he didn't like the infotainment system! Vehicles are also about compromise - the very best car I have ever owned for refined road manners and ride quality was a Mercedes S500. But you wouldn't take an S500 into a muddy field, would you? So if you want to take your vehicle into a muddy field and you don't want your ivory interior wrecked when your spaniels jump in, buy a Shogun, Landcruiser, Ssanyong, Jimmy or a flippin Lada Niva! 3 weeks ago I towed 2 range rovers and 1 disco out of a muddy field at the Hexham races - their cars all had super low profile tyres. They got suck... this tells you all you need to know - they don't need a 4x4 system in the same way that the vast majority of watch owners do not need a diving watch. They're car is a status symbol, fashion statement, not a tool So onto the review. What the Shogun is not: - in the same league of ride refinement, toys, interior comfort as the Disco/XC90 etc - overpriced (either new or second hand) - unreliable what it is: - an honest to God 4x4 of the old school type - gizmos kept to a minimum, the tech is where it counts, the things that can go wrong (air suspension anyone?) left to a minimum - relatively comfortable and well behaved on the road - very decent in anything the British countryside can throw at it - most importantly - out of the shop - you don't need mud tyres or lifts unless you aere planning actual cross country use. Not many vehicles marketed as 4x4 can actually do this with stock tyres and set up. - it tows 3.5 tonnes - it is tough as boots and reliable I for one will be sad to see the Shogun production end, and I wonder if anyone has really thought about this. We are told we are dinosaurs for driving such a vehicle - that it isn't 'green', that we should be buying electric or hybrid. Well, such sentiments might work in an urban environment and may well be desirable, but some of us live so far from the nearest town we would have to recharge our vehicle on arriving at the supermarket, some of us have to tow livestock to market, some of us have to haul 2 tonne boats up slimy slipways, some of us are involved in animal husbandry, horticulture, agriculture, equine and rural vet - when the Shogun goes we will be down to the Landcruiser and the Ssanyong. I wonder when the market will realise that there is a continued demand for such vehicles. It is all an indication of how western society in particular, is dominated by the urban, from energy policies to fuel taxes - everything is aimed at the urban - the rural is forgotten, the memory of such kept in fashion statements of the Range Rover - a locking diff that is never used just like the Rolex Submariner on his wrist never goes any deeper than his pool on holiday.

I bought this bus new in march 06 so it is on the slightly cheaper tax (check it out). It replaced my previous 2001 shogun 3.2 which was preceded by a 2.8 and a 2.5 all of which have been LWB 7 seaters. This vehicle is not as good as the 01 version for quality of interior by a long chalk, despite it being the top of the range elagance with all the extras. It is basically the same engine and drive train which is perfectly capable of hauling my three tonne digger on a tri axle Ifor Williams trailer, total weight around 4.5 tonnes. It has had nearly fifteen years of hard labour and it shows just under 200k on the clock now. The expensive repairs have been 2x clutch and dual mass flywheel at over a grand each plus labour. Both gearboxes overhauled at around 170k because it was jumping out of first gear, 2k with labour. All front and rear suspension bushes and pivot bolts because it got the famous shogun tipped in rear wheel appearance and kept scuffing the edges off the tyres, £2000. And the latest big bill, the fuel pump at just under 3k plus labour! The reason the pump went was water and rust according to the technician. The fuel filler pipe goes down to the tank behind the wheel arch liner. The pipe rots away because it's hidden and all the salt and crap lodges on it. Then water and rust gets in the tank and emulsifies in the diesel and gets past the filter into the pump. It is a well known problem and a real shogun killer. I found out the hard way! Always check it out before buying!. Always use top quality oil and genuine filters, cheap after market filters don't stop the water and very fine particles getting into the pump. Always keep the tank above 1/3 full. If the level gets low the diesel is mushy because it's frothed up with the returns from the pump. Mushy diesel won't lubricate the pump internals properly. On the whole I can't complain with the service it's given but you wouldn't want one for a family car. They are too expensive to service and fuel up. Mine have always worked for a living but the same faults will appear on a daily driver. If you buy one make sure you change the cam chain tensioner wear plate, if you don't it can drop down the bottom and wreck your motor. The wear plates cost buttons, less than a fiver I think, and it takes about an hour start to finish to replace one, DO IT!. Servicing is simple enough for your average DIYer. I had mine dealer serviced for the first seven years to keep it in the extended warranty and then did it my self. All the heavy repairs were done at the local garage, it would have been written off years ago at dealership rates! Buy one if you have deep pockets and need a spacious tow vehicle, otherwise get something smaller and more sensible!

Had my shogun from new great cruiser great driving position not the best in refinement but makes you feel different on the road looks the part but once the engine fully warmed up engine noise fine only thing road tax running cost high shame Mitsubishi have ceased production hope they do bring out a new shogun ,the new shogun sport no where as good has the shogun which the motoring press underestimate.

I've owned my Shogun DiD Elegance for over a year and a half now and I am delighted with it. These beasts are very well made - robust and over engineered in all the right places. Despite its large 3.2 Litre 'torquey' diesel engine I still get around 30mpg. It's massively capable and enjoyable off road and on the ruff (its reputation as an off-roader is unquestioned) & it will pull anything. In addition, I still look the part arriving at meetings after a comfortable motorway dash in a roomy leather clad cockpit. I really do love these things. Yes, they can sound a little agricultural, but their reputation for reliability had me sold, and despite its rivals (e.g. the landy or rangey) being more refined, I've heard too many pricey horror stories about the latter). I have had just one problem (a £20 front wheel sensor) in all the time I've owned the Shogun. It was replaced easily by a good trusted mechanic (I find Mitsubishi dealers too expensive). It pays dividends to keep these well serviced - don't scrimp, give them regular engine oil changes. Great comfort, high driving position, great visibility and bags of room, this thing swallows up families and luggage no problem. I'll be keeping my Shogun for years to come. I've heard they can easily go to 250,000 miles if well maintained. They're great value second hand too - just look over those servicing records carefully.

I've owned my Shogun DiD Elegance for over a year and a half now and I am delighted with it. These beasts are very well made - robust and over engineered in all the right places. Despite its large 3.2 Litre 'torquey' diesel engine I still get around 30mpg. It's massively capable and enjoyable off road and on the ruff (its reputation as an off-roader is unquestioned) & it will pull anything. In addition, I still look the part arriving at meetings after a comfortable motorway dash in a roomy leather clad cockpit. I really do love these things. Yes, they can sound a little agricultural, but their reputation for reliability had me sold, and despite its rivals (e.g. the landy or rangey) being more refined, I've heard too many pricey horror stories about the latter's reliability). I have had just one problem (a £20 front wheel sensor) in all the time I've owned the Shogun. It was replaced easily by a good trusted mechanic (I find Mitsubishi dealers too expensive). It pays dividends to keep these well serviced - don't scrimp, give them regular engine oil changes. Great comfort, high driving position, great visibility and bags of room, this thing swallows up families and luggage no problem. I'll be keeping my Shogun for years to come. I've heard they can easily go to 250,000 miles if well maintained. They're great value second hand too - just look over those servicing records carefully.

I've owned my Shogun DiD Elegance for over a year and a half now and I am delighted with it. These beasts are very well made - robust and over engineered in all the right places. Despite its large 3.2 Litre 'torquey' diesel engine I still get around 30mpg. It's massively capable and enjoyable off road and on the ruff (its reputation as an off-roader is unquestioned) & it will pull anything. In addition, I still look the part arriving at meetings after a comfortable motorway dash in a roomy leather clad cockpit. I really do love these things. Yes, they can sound a little agricultural, but their reputation for reliability had me sold, and despite its rivals (e.g. the landy or rangey) being more refined, I've heard too many pricey horror stories about the latter). I have had just one problem (a £20 front wheel sensor) in all the time I've owned the Shogun. It was replaced easily by a good trusted mechanic (I find Mitsubishi dealers too expensive). It pays dividends to keep these well serviced - don't scrimp, give them regular engine oil changes. Great comfort, high driving position, great visibility and bags of room, this thing swallows up families and luggage no problem. I'll be keeping my Shogun for years to come. I've heard they can easily go to 250,000 miles if well maintained. They're great value second hand too - just look over those serving records carefully.

Love everything about this car apart from the price of Fuel. Drive properly and I can get 29 mpg around town. Bring on the Snow !

Excellent car in Diamond package. Used for generaluse and to tow twin axle caravan without any problems. Car tax and fuel economy could be better

Love my Shogun LWB DiD Elegance (2005) They are not as smooth or refined as Landies or Rangies, but they are more reliable (and the interiors are way better in my view). Some say a little agricultural, but I love it. Solid as a rock, reliable and able to go anywhere. Comfortable on long journeys and parts are not as expensive as you might think - plenty of good quality 3rd party manufactured parts available if you hunt around a bit. They swallow up families, fishing gear, large telescopes, you name it - plenty of room. Second hand they really are great value for money - just do make sure they haver bee regularly serviced. Mitsubishi dealers not always a good move for repairs - they charge the earth. Just find a good mechanic you trust. Shoguns are torquey tanks that won't let you down, and feel pretty refined considering what they are demonstrably capable of off road- they are the real deal in this respect. Keep you speed to 70 on the motorway (no more) and she'll return 30 to the gall. I expect to keep mine for years to come.

A good car that does what I want it to do IE towing caravan and horse trailer

Since buying my Shogun more than 14 years ago I have stopped reading "Autocar"or any other motoring magazine. It does everything I expect of a car and still gives me 30MPG+ on a run. Driving comfort is unassailable and gives a better view of the road than anything else I have driven.

I have had the 3 door Shogun a few years ago, as I'd had swb 4x4's before and continued the trend with this one. Though with the amount of equipment I sometimes carry, that the 5 door would be more suitable. Then moving onto the Land Rover marques of Defender and Range Rover Vogue, felt more comfortable with the Mitsubishi Shogun for long term reliability, and so bought a 5 door Shogun to replace the Range Rover, having gained 100,000 miles at trade in time, and a year of faults, items needing replacing, and broke down leaving me stranded. I do feel more content with my new Shogun and intend that it is with us for 10+ years.

Purchased with a view to towing my caravan. Brilliant to car. Very comfortable. Not cheap to run but I guess if wanted a low cost car you wouldn't buy a Shogun. It my 3rd Shogun, this is the best of the bunch

Great big car, safe, comfy and roomy, but at 25MPG and 18,000 miles per year, it is costing a fortune to run. Add in high road tax and virtually no tax break (it is financed through my company)it is really proving to be uneconomic so, much as we love it (and we are a tall family) we are looking at changing it, probably to a Volvo XC60

I've only had this car for a few moths but I love it already. It's a big old comfortable car with a boat load of bells and whistles to keep you happy, such as locking rear diff, variable suspension, heated seats, cruise control, overdrive, full electrics etc. I owned a Nissan Terrano previously and loved that too but I wanted an automatic which is why I got the Shogun. It is bigger than the Terrano and it's more akin to driving a small bus but if you've reached the stage where blistering performance comes a distant second to reliability and comfort, this could be the vehicle for you. Like all big 4x4's it loses marks hand over fist for fuel economy but if you go looking for a 4x4 with good fuel economy near the top of your list of needs, then you're probably looking at the wrong car. The only area where I would criticise this vehicle is that it doesn't have air-con. It's a European version and only the very top euro models have air-con where as the Japanise imports have it as standard.

Fairly thirsty and of slightly lower performance for its capacity than most more modern equivalents, but stll more than adequate. Very good resistance to corrosion. Very reliable, with only a few well documented and easily fixable general faults even with higher age and mileage. Other than for fuel costs fairly economical to run. Mechanically very simple for maintenance, which is responsible for most of the cars good points. Makes an excellent tow vehicle, which could be bettered only by being slightly longer in the wheelbase. Long distance comfortable and internally spacious.

The Shogun is a specialist 4x4 with good towing ability, which is why I bought it. It is excellent in that respect. Although it has done only 117k miles, the dual mass flywheel has had to be changed. The fuel filler pipe (neck) and vent pipes rusted to the point where they parted company; there is also rust on the brackets holding the steps to the frame. I found this very disappointing. The vehicle is too reliant on electronics, under the bonnet. Apart from that it drives well and has lots of power so can tow up to 2.8 tonnes. I guess it's 'horses for courses'.

A totally reliable car that does everything and more that is asked of it. A workhorse that goes on for mile fter mile without being grumpy. Excellent

Excellent car. Great build quality and extremely reliable.