Volkswagen Sharan

Auto Express Car Reviews

Rating:
On the road price: £21,635 - £26,160
For : Car-like drive, versatility, quality
Against : Seats heavy and awkward to remove, bootspace limited with seven seats.

The Sharan's recent makeover has moved the MPV game upmarket, increasing the levels of perceived luxury to the point where this VW competes with quality saloons. Biggest improvements are to the interior that is virtually all new and now features the blue back lighting of the instrumentation seen on all other VW models. All Sharans now have a six-speed manual gearbox as standard though a five-speed Tiptronic automatic is available with some engines.

A remarkably refined machine to drive, the Sharan gives the most car-like ride in its class, with suspension changes made to this revised model improving this even more. Three petrol engines are available with the 204bhp V6 petrol being the flagship - capable of propelling the Sharan to a potential maximum of 135 mph. The 2.0-litre is the weediest of any of the Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra clan. The likely favourite for buyers will be the superb 115bhp PD diesel. Four-wheel-drive is also a sensible option for those who don't need the bulk and pretentiousness of a full off-roader.