Mitsubishi Shogun

The X5 or XC90 may defeat it over tarmac and the Disco's better balanced on/off road, but if you need to tow a tank, the Shogun is what you need.

• Comfort

  Plenty of space there may be in the long wheel base version of the Shogun, but its rattly four-cylinder diesel engine and uncompromising off-road tyres mean refinement is negligible in a class where these days it needs to be top of the list.

  

• Performance

  Mitsubishi's 3.2-litre four-cylinder diesel has been revised, with power up to 197bhp and torque rising to 325lb ft. Sadly any delusions of a silky BMW-spec diesel disappear into the throaty rumble of the engine. It'll haul the Shogun at a passable lick - 11 seconds to 62mph - but it won't do it with much enthusiasm. It will, however, enthusiastically pull large things out of bogs, as it's capable of hauling a mighty 3,500kgs. The more expensive Toyota Land Cruiser will tow a pitiful 2,800kgs.

  

• Cool

  The Shogun is cool in the way that old Subaru estates are cool. If they're an inch deep in dried-on pig shit and full of Wellington boots and dog hair, then you've nothing to worry about.

  

• Quality

  The revised Shogun is extremely well built and feels tough inside and out. The cabin quality has improved, but it still can't be called classy, burdened as it is by materials that are grey, dull and very unappealing.

  

• Handling

  Tyres modelled on balloons don't do much for the ride, which is better than before but still too bouncy and roly-poly, a common problem among hardcore off-roaders like this. At least the brakes are more reassuring than you'd think they would be, with discs all round. Its off-road technology (two levers to switch between high and low ratios or two-wheel drive and four-wheel-drive) may not be on par with the Land Rover Discovery's Terrain Response System, but it gets the job done for a lot less.

  

• Practicality

  The five-door version has a third row of rear seats that fold into the floor when not in use. They're best kept for kids since space is minimal. Still, passengers in the first two rows won't complain as they're extremely well catered for with plenty of leg and shoulder room. When not in over-qualified school bus mode, the boot is amply proportioned (1,790 litres) and has a long, flat load bay. The rarer three-door, obviously, has less space and the rear seats are difficult to access.

  

• Running costs

  The Shogun is thirstier than Ollie Read in a prohibition era sauna. If you can imagine that. Wouldn't say residuals are bad, but the Titanic depreciated less quickly on its way down.