Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial (2018 – 2021) Review

Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial (2018 – 2021) At A Glance

2/5

+Brilliant off-road, better to drive than its pick-up rivals on-road, 3.1 tonne towing capacity.

-Not as good as a Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial, 605kg maximum payload, expensive to buy and run.

Easy to drive, practical and powered by a brilliant four-wheel drive system, the Shogun Sport Commercial should be the ultimate 4x4 van. Sadly Mitsubishi’s rugged appeal is dented by its high price, huge running costs and 605kg payload capacity. 

The Shogun Sport Commercial is based on the mechanical underpinnings of the L200 pick-up and geared for heavy duty off-road work, with 218mm of ground clearance and a water wading depth of 700mm. All versions use Mitsubishi’s tried and tested Super Select II all-wheel drive system that allows the driver to switch from rear-wheel to four-wheel drive on the move.  

This SUV-based van gets everything you need to tackle rural or wintery conditions, with dedicated off-road driving modes, low-range gears and a central locking differential that will plough through heavy mud, sand and snow. 

The 2.4-litre turbodiesel - lifted from the Series 5 L200 - is linked to a smooth shifting eight-speed automatic. The four-cylinder diesel produce 180PS and is packed with torque, which means there is no shortage of low-gear pull for climbing steep hills or tackling loose and slippery surfaces. The 3100kg towing weight will also allow the Shogun to breeze along when hooked up to a horsebox or heavy trailer.

The load area is practical enough, at 1920mm long, 1000mm wide between the rear wheel arches and 1040mm high. But the boot opening is narrow and the 605kg payload is poor, even by car-derived van standards. The Toyota Land Cruiser Utility Commercial, for example, will carry up to 756kg.

Running costs are significantly higher than the Toyota: the Shogun Sport Commercial returns an official 32.8mpg, which even by pick-up standards is poor. That said, spec levels are high with all models getting touchscreen infotainment, LED headlights, a rear view camera and parking sensors. The conversion includes a six-inch bulkhead and a completely flat floor with bonded carpet.

As a rugged 4x4 van, the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial covers the basics, but falters against its key Toyota rival. The Land Cruiser is cheaper to run, better to drive and equally good off road. Factor in Toyota's comprehensive five-year/100,000 mile warranty and it's difficult to see how the Shogun can compete with Mitsubishi's five-year/62,500 mile cover.