The general consensus is that, unless we do something now, civilisation as we know will end. The climate is getting warmer, the ice caps are melting and sea levels are rising. Before too long society will disintegrate and we’ll be living in a world of anarchy. With that in mind I’ve decided that the car I’d like to be driving when all hell breaks loose is the Mitsubishi Shogun. And no, the irony isn't lost on me.

That might seem a strange choice to begin with, after all, if everything’s about to end, why not face your final hours in a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or some other exotic machine?

The answer is simple: I’m actually planning on hanging around for as long as possible – think of me as the Omega Man – and I reckon the Shogun could be the vehicle to help me do just that

The Shogun has been around for 33 years and, during that time, has forged a reputation for reliability and robustness. At the time of its launch it was something of a revelation, adopting features normally only seen on passenger cars in Japan, such as a turbocharged diesel engine, power steering and double wishbone suspension.

The current model arrived way back in 2007 and, despite its age, remains a competent load-lugger with real off-road credentials.

The styling is typically rugged. Tall, slab-sided with heavy plastic mouldings, it sits on 20 inch alloys fitted with chunky tyres and, a rare sight now, the spare mounted on the rear tailgate . It’s design roots can clearly be traced right back to the original model, each new version an evolution of the last.

It’s not just for show though. Four driving modes – two-wheel, four-wheel, four-wheel with a locking centre diff and low-range gearing – ensure that it has the ability to back up those looks.

Climb inside – and it really is a less than elegant clamber – and you’re greeted with an unremarkable but spacious cabin. Everything is well screwed together and, although there are few examples of hard plastics littered around it feels sturdy and robust, rather than flimsy and brittle.

The infotainment system does have an aftermarket look about it, but it works well enough and the touchscreen is no less responsive than any other that I’ve tried.

I did, on a couple of occasions, have cause to politely curse the sat nav after it misdirected me. What made it particularly odd was that the directions laid out on the map display were clearly contrary to the spoken instructions.

One advantage of that climb up is that it provides you with a commanding view of the road and the huge windows provide excellent all-road visibility. Something that is essential given the bulk of the car.

Start the engine and the diesel clatters into life. That noise will remain with you whatever speed you’re travelling at. It’s not enough to prevent conversation but it is persistent and falls far short of the refinement you’ll find in the Shogun’s rivals.

In general the ride is good. The big car resists body roll well and overall comfort is high. It’s only when the road surface is less than perfect that the suspension is found wanting, the firm springs struggle to isolate the cabin from smaller bumps.

The steering is on the slow side, which means you have to invest a considerable effort to tackle corners. If you have any ambitions about tackling fast, flowing corners - unlikely, I know - then you'd better leave them at home.

The automatic gearbox is a reasonably good match for the character of this car, although it can be a little sluggish during kickdown.

The Shogun seats seven. The extra pair of seats, and their headrests, are concealed beneath a panel in the boot. It has to be removed before the seats can be lifted into place, and then replaced. A lever on the side of the seats allows the backs to be unfolded into the upright position before you attach the headrests

It’s all a bit convoluted to be honest. If I had seven people to transport I’d be thinking long and hard about which two I’d feel least guilty about leaving behind.

The Shogun lags behind many of its rivals and, in fact, struggles to make a viable case for itself as a family car. However, while it is noisy, lacks overall refinement and suffers from a fidgety ride it is spacious, robust and built to last. It’s exactly the kind of car that you’d need to cope with almost any terrain in almost any conditions, and keep coping. The end of civilisation? Bring it on!

Mitsubishi Shogun LWB SG4

£37,049Price from:

3.2-litre 4-cylinder dieselEngine:

5-speed automaticTransmission:

197bhpPower:

325lbftTorque:

11.1secAcceleration (0-62mph):

112mphMaximum speed:

28mpgUrban:

37.7mpgExtra urban:

33.2mpgCombined:

224g/kmEmissions (CO2):

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