ALL but unstoppable is how Mitsubishi describes latest versions of its heavy duty off-roader, the long wheelbase Shogun.

You'll see them in all sorts of places - from farm tracks to supermarket car parks, the school run to tugging a trailer or caravan.

But to squeeze the very best out of the Japanese company's most revered model you need conditions that few vehicles dare tackle, because every facet of the Shogun's development has been geared towards superior off-road performance.

The serious numbers may be mind-bogglingly mathematical, like a 700mm wading depth, 48.2 degree climb and 45 degree roll-over angles, approach/departure angles of 34.5 and 24.5, plus a 22.2 degree break-over angle.

What we're talking here is military strength hardware, a big, blunt-nosed block of a vehicle but with the high seating position and low waistline to give it popular appeal.

And to that end it performs well in everyday conditions, with a bombproof fit and finish to the cabin, leather upholstery that feels comfortable and hardy and, on top trim versions, like the tested SG3 model, an eardrum-busting Rockford Fosgate 860W 12-speaker premium audio system.

There's plenty of space for five, with even the centre rear passenger able to travel in comfort and there's the added advantage of Mitsubishi's ‘Fold2Hide' third row of seats concealed beneath the boot floor.

You don't need to pump iron to access them either - a light touch does the trick and the seats pop up, with integrated headrests, turning the Shogun into a seven-seater.

That still leaves some luggage space, though with the back pair folded down the load area is immense. I also like the way the tailgate opens sideways rather than upwards.

Stowage space in the cabin is widespread, though the door bins are too narrow, with trays, slots and cubbbies everywhere.

Out on the road, there's no escaping the fact that the Shogun's 3.2-litre diesel engine is on the agricultural side of noisy and you'll be lucky to squeeze 30 miles per gallon out of it,  but it's a good car to drive and the engine sounds much sweeter when up to speed on faster routes.

But it's off-road that the Shogun really comes into its own - and in this area it is up there with the very best.

Its four driving modes of the all-wheel control system are easily operated by a lever alongside the gearshift, and a second set of grab handles underlines the car's robust credentials.

And all Shoguns also boast a low range feature called Engine Brake Assist Control, which automatically brakes the car as soon as it detects a wheel is losing traction, allowing for a slow and controlled descent.

While most folk will never call upon the Shogun to reveal its full capability, it is still a car you can comfortably live with - safe in the knowledge that it has the hardware to cope with the wildest conditions.