Mitsubishi Shogun Sport (2018-2021)

Models Covered

5dr SUV (2.4 diesel)

Introduction

The SUV market offers a vast choice these days, but there are very few family-sized contenders that are actually properly capable off road. Mitsubishi’s third generation ‘QE’-series Shogun Sport though, was one of them, sold here between 2018 and 2021. Few compromises were made here for tarmac territory, but this can still be a luxurious seven-seater highway tourer that’s as confident on the A6 as it would be in the Alps. If you yearn for the days when an SUV really could cross the Serengeti, then you’ll probably like this one very much indeed.

The History

In third generation form, the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport offered buyers looking for a larger mid-sized seven-seat SUV a tougher option that had real off road credibility. The fundamentals here were based upon the brand’s L200 pick-up, but Mitsubishi re-engineered them with extra technology and a bit of stylish crossover sheen. The brand claimed that this car was the most capable SUV it had ever made.

Prior to 2016, we’d seen the Shogun Sport in the UK before – but not for some time. The first generation ‘PA’-series version of this model was also L200-based and launched back in 1998, initially badged as the 'Shogun Challenger', before being re-named a year later the 'Shogun Sport'. That car sold until 2009 in the UK, before being re-launched in a second generation ‘PB’-series form that wasn’t sold in our market.

By 2016, the company had changed its mind on that and in mid-2018, two years into the production life of the third generation ‘QE’-series Shogun Sport design, decided to re-introduce this model for British buyers. Though at first glance, the company’s UK product portfolio towards the end of the 21st century’s second decade seemed well-stocked with capable 4WD products, once you took a second look, it became abundantly clear just how much the British importers needed an up-to-date large SUV with proper off-road and towing ability, diesel power and space for seven. This car delivered that formula precisely.

In an era where most SUVs are glorified ‘Chelsea tractors’, it was quite refreshing at launch to hear Mitsubishi’s perspective that around 35% of all Shogun Sport sales would go to buyers likely to use this car in a purely working environment. Virtually all were sold fitted with a tow bar so that owners could exercise the prodigious 3.1-tonne towing capacity of the single 2.4-litre diesel engine the brand offered here. Despite that, there was no stripped-out entry-level model to target the farming and building markets, sales instead concentrated around high-spec trim levels that aimed to relieve buyers of nearly £40,000 when new. Perhaps because of that, sales were slow and this Shogun Sport finally left the British market when the Mitsubishi brand pulled out at the end of 2021.

What You Get

No one is going to pigeonhole this as a re-bodied Mitsubishi L200 pick-up – which is perhaps appropriate: true, the two models share the same fundamentals but the finished execution – in engineering as well as in design – is with this third generation Shogun Sport very different. Inside, Mitsubishi tried to emphasise the ‘Sport’ element in this car’s DNA. The raised silver-trimmed console between the seats aims to create a more dynamic ‘cockpit-like’ feel and there’s a properly commanding driving position - not something you can take for granted in the SUV ‘D’-segment from this era.

And in the second row? Well it’s not especially spacious in the middle row for an SUV that’s 4.78-metres in length but there’s reasonable room in the central berths for two adults – or three at a squash. Prior to taking a seat, we’d thought that the lack of a second row seat sliding function would rather compromise this Shogun Sport in the 3rd row. As it turns out though, this is less of a problem than you might expect. For short-to-medium-length journeys though, it’ll probably be OK for uncomplaining folk. And luggage space? Once the third row chairs are folded, there is, as expected, a very decent amount of cargo room – 502-litres in total. If you need more space, then folding the second row backrest (unfortunately, it divides 60:40 rather in a more convenient 40:20:40-split) frees up 1,488-litres of space.

What To Look For

Most owners seemed very happy with this ‘QE’-series MK3 Shogun Sport model, but there are things you need to look out for. Unlike many family 7-seat SUVs of this type, this one will very likely have been used seriously off road and for towing, so you’ll need to check underneath; and look for signs of clutch slip on the test drive.

We came across reports of creaks from the steering column – a recognised model problem. And one owner complained of the engine cutting out when idling. There’s a Shogun Sport Facebook online website for owners where you can get other tips. And of course, insist on a fully stamped-up service history.

On The Road

It doesn’t take long behind the wheel before you get a feel for the sort of SUV this is. There’s a heft and weight to everything this Shogun Sport does that might remind you of a sold, capable 4WD pick-up: which is hardly co-incidental because that’s exactly what this car is derived from. Its engine, platform and Super Select 4WD system are all shared with a Mitsubishi L200 LCV. Elsewhere though, there are some fundamental engineering differences between the two models. The most significant of these lies in the substitution of the L200’s crude old leaf-sprung rear suspension for a much suppler multi-link rear arrangement with coil springs. Other differences over Mitsubishi’s pick-up include the installation of a new 8-speed auto gearbox, a quicker steering rack, bespoke body mounts, more car-like damping and additional cabin insulation. It’s all enough (just about) to give this Shogun Sport at least a semblance of mass market SUV credibility. Providing potential buyers don’t much care about the way this car lurches through corners taken at any kind of speed and rather crashes over poorer urban tarmac tears.

Overall

Mitsubishi provided us here with a spacious, well equipped flagship 4x4 that delivered everything loyal brand buyers would expect a Shogun to be. In short, it's an SUV worthy of the name. And there aren't too many of those about these days.