Shogun Sport 2018 onwards
Discussion
Looking at the 2018-on Shogun Sport as a potential family wagon. It'll be used for carting the dogs around, 200-mile round trips to see relatives, and family holidays, plus a bit of light off-roading, etc.
Does anyone have any experience of them for this sort of job? Will it be too agricultural for long journeys? There doesn't seem to be much info on them, presumably because there's not many around, so any opinions would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Does anyone have any experience of them for this sort of job? Will it be too agricultural for long journeys? There doesn't seem to be much info on them, presumably because there's not many around, so any opinions would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Hi,
I have been looking at these myself recently for a family wagon so thought I'd share what I know - however note I've not driven one yet!
They are based on the L200 pickup and were predominantly made for the Australasian market, hence why they are manufactured in Thailand I believe.
They are 7 seater but have quite a high floor due to the pickup chassis underneath.
The gearbox is an upgrade on the pickup though, it's an 8-speed in the Shogun Sport, which is supposedly quite a nice 'box and much better than the 5-speed in the L200 pickup. All the reviews in Australia / New Zealand comment on how well the gearbox is suited to the car.
Quite a lot were used for towing caravans and horse boxes, so try to look out for that (no idea how you would know though). Also lots used by builders / scaffolders. I'm not sure if this is because they could be classified as commercial vehicles hence a tax break?
The dealers down south are mostly in a Subaru / Mitsubishi / KGM Ssangyong group and from my experience with Subarus they seem to be very good, fair prices and good customer service.
I have an office in Angola and these are EVERYWHERE... probably more common than the Land Cruiser. They are seen as indestructible by people there.
Some people have commented that they don't like the driving position, I assume that it's the same position as in the pickup so maybe a little upright? Someone on here last week said his wife drove one and hated it.
And finally, it drives like a pickup because that is what it is, so it bounces around a little and the back end can feel light. So on a long journey this could be tiring.
For me the positive about it is that they are quite cheap (£18k will get you 2019 with 65k miles). They also seem robust, have 7 seats and should be reliable.
I guess an alternative is a Santa Fe / Sorento which cost about the same to buy, will be nicer to drive on a long journey but will not be anywhere near as robust.
If you drive one let me know what you think!
I have been looking at these myself recently for a family wagon so thought I'd share what I know - however note I've not driven one yet!
They are based on the L200 pickup and were predominantly made for the Australasian market, hence why they are manufactured in Thailand I believe.
They are 7 seater but have quite a high floor due to the pickup chassis underneath.
The gearbox is an upgrade on the pickup though, it's an 8-speed in the Shogun Sport, which is supposedly quite a nice 'box and much better than the 5-speed in the L200 pickup. All the reviews in Australia / New Zealand comment on how well the gearbox is suited to the car.
Quite a lot were used for towing caravans and horse boxes, so try to look out for that (no idea how you would know though). Also lots used by builders / scaffolders. I'm not sure if this is because they could be classified as commercial vehicles hence a tax break?
The dealers down south are mostly in a Subaru / Mitsubishi / KGM Ssangyong group and from my experience with Subarus they seem to be very good, fair prices and good customer service.
I have an office in Angola and these are EVERYWHERE... probably more common than the Land Cruiser. They are seen as indestructible by people there.
Some people have commented that they don't like the driving position, I assume that it's the same position as in the pickup so maybe a little upright? Someone on here last week said his wife drove one and hated it.
And finally, it drives like a pickup because that is what it is, so it bounces around a little and the back end can feel light. So on a long journey this could be tiring.
For me the positive about it is that they are quite cheap (£18k will get you 2019 with 65k miles). They also seem robust, have 7 seats and should be reliable.
I guess an alternative is a Santa Fe / Sorento which cost about the same to buy, will be nicer to drive on a long journey but will not be anywhere near as robust.
If you drive one let me know what you think!
Edited by Matt_T on Wednesday 7th May 22:49
Bit late to the discussion but I've run a 2018 Shogun Sport for the last 18 months, so:
Cruises at the legal limit very comfortably, on a light throttle you'll get low to mid 30's mpg. If you're in a hurry you'll get mid to high 20's.
Tows very well, hardly noticed a twin axle caravan and it tows my Ski Nautique with no problems.
Is based on L200 pick up but independent multi link rear suspension, disc rear brakes & an 8 speed auto rather than the semi ecliptics, drums and 5 speed of the L200. I find it refined but it is a work-horse with a separate chassis. Had mine rust-proofed which I would recommend.
I enjoy driving mine but it is neither fast nor incisive. Lots of equipment and effective climate control and surround cameras. Does not have factory fit Navigation but does have car-play/android auto which works well enough.
The floor is relatively high because it is above the chassis; so, you sit with your legs ahead of you rather than tucked lower into a deeper footwell. I don't find this uncomfortable but it is quite a climb up/down. Has seven seats, rears are a bit awkward to use and small but second three people row is set higher than the front seats so passengers don't stare at the back of the front seats.
Routine service costs include expensive commercial grade oil and the propshaft needs to be greased. Only fault in 18 months is one defective ABS sensor.
Hope that helps.
Cruises at the legal limit very comfortably, on a light throttle you'll get low to mid 30's mpg. If you're in a hurry you'll get mid to high 20's.
Tows very well, hardly noticed a twin axle caravan and it tows my Ski Nautique with no problems.
Is based on L200 pick up but independent multi link rear suspension, disc rear brakes & an 8 speed auto rather than the semi ecliptics, drums and 5 speed of the L200. I find it refined but it is a work-horse with a separate chassis. Had mine rust-proofed which I would recommend.
I enjoy driving mine but it is neither fast nor incisive. Lots of equipment and effective climate control and surround cameras. Does not have factory fit Navigation but does have car-play/android auto which works well enough.
The floor is relatively high because it is above the chassis; so, you sit with your legs ahead of you rather than tucked lower into a deeper footwell. I don't find this uncomfortable but it is quite a climb up/down. Has seven seats, rears are a bit awkward to use and small but second three people row is set higher than the front seats so passengers don't stare at the back of the front seats.
Routine service costs include expensive commercial grade oil and the propshaft needs to be greased. Only fault in 18 months is one defective ABS sensor.
Hope that helps.
Thanks both - much appreciated.
I did have a test drive of one. The seats and driving position were spot on for me – wife had a bit of trouble getting in though.
Thought it was OK to drive on the whole – quiet at 70 apart from some wind noise from the big door mirrors.
The centre console and screen pointing towards the passenger seat was a bit weird though – it's obviously been built for LHD markets.
I did have a test drive of one. The seats and driving position were spot on for me – wife had a bit of trouble getting in though.
Thought it was OK to drive on the whole – quiet at 70 apart from some wind noise from the big door mirrors.
The centre console and screen pointing towards the passenger seat was a bit weird though – it's obviously been built for LHD markets.
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