I would reckon to have had an unsuccessful motoring year, unless I had driven the Mitsubishi Shogun at least once.

The Shogun is what proper motoring is about.

The sophisticates out there who prefer their Range Rovers and their big BMWs can keep their posh numbers for all I care.

I want something that is bullet proof and can be driven across the roughest terrain and get across without problems.

The motoring press concede that the Shogun looks good and is a proper off-roader but a lot of them mark it down because it’s not exactly brilliant on-road.

Their word is uncivilised, as if travellers had moved their caravans on to your village green or your child’s playing field.

While the Shogun they say is great off road and feels robust it lacks refinement and the engine can struggle because of the weight of the car.

They might have a point but off-road it has few rivals and that 3.2 diesel engine has a huge amount of pulling power. The gearboxes have low ratios for extra grip and the option of a rear differential lock for super-muddy conditions.

It might not be your ideal car should you want to drive in London when the Shogun would be rather cumbersome. But then all 4x4s tend to struggle in the London traffic scene.

But I have a 40 mile round trip to Swindon every day with a bit of rural motoring on the way and I just love it. If the traffic is heavy or if the rain is pouring down there I am safe in my cocoon. The only regret is that I have to give the car back after the test.

Anyway don’t take my word for it. Go online and see what the owners actually have to say about their Shoguns.

One driver said he thought the vehicle was fabulous and couldn’t see why the motoring press seemed to dislike it.

He described it as an indestructible family car with bags of extras plus plenty of airbags and safety features. What more could you want?

He and his family love their Shogun and he can't think of any other vehicle that is better at this price, so you really ought to try one if you are considering a 4x4 or any other seven seater.

He says on road it's perfectly comfortable and it is arguably the best machine off road machine out there and even if you are only using it off road occasionally, it is great fun and reassuring to know that you aren't going to get stuck anywhere.

Any comparisons to the Land Rover Discovery he said is pointless because the Shogun is much cheaper to buy and run.

Another owner says the Shogun is simply brilliant with literally nothing else remotely comparable at the (now reduced) prices.

He points out that similarly equipped Discoveries and Land Cruisers are 33 per cent to 50 per cent more expensive and the Kia and Hyundai soft roaders are similar money but ultimately aren't tough or big enough.

I tend to regard the Shogun as a big friend when I’m out in it and I have been driving the Mitsubishi range for 10 years. To my knowledge they are all good value for money and immensely fun to drive.

Next year can’t come quickly enough on the driving front so I can get behind the wheel of the Shogun again.