Skip advert
Advertisement

VW Sharan 2.0 TDI

Is this the most practical people’s car ever? We hit road to give our verdict on Volkswagen's latest MPV.

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Volkswagen Sharan
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

This new VW emphatically lays to rest the 15-year-old Sharan. It has seven seats, great refinement, plenty of frugal diesel muscle and lots of flexible space inside. It also boasts excellent access to the rear, plus neat touches like sliding doors with conventional electric windows. This is a car that will appeal to families and business users alike. It’s a truly impressive package.

Advertisement - Article continues below

After 15 years, Volkswagen has finally replaced the Sharan! With so much time to mull over how to change the seven-seater MPV, the company should have figured out exactly what buyers want. So, has it delivered?

The newcomer – which will also become the next Seat Alhambra – is longer and wider than the previous car, but no heavier, and now manages to fold six of its seven individual seats flat to create a load space that’s 2.1 metres long.

Lift the seats up again, and the outer pair of middle row chairs feature an ingenious tip and slide function. This works in tandem with the wide-opening sliding rear doors to make access to the rearmost seats easy. And these chairs are roomy enough for even reasonably tall adults.

The middle three seats serve up generous legroom and overall space. Big rear windows create an airy feel, plus occupants here benefit from more headroom than the driver, who gets a car-like seat position.

Sensibly, VW has focused more on providing a comfortable ride than handling fun, and the result is relaxed progress. Refinement is impressive, with minimal wind noise at speed. We drove the 2.0-litre TDI diesel, although we also tried a 1.4-litre TSI model – and the former is much preferable.

The petrol variant proves that there’s a limit to turbocharging small-capacity engines. Although it delivers 148bhp, it doesn’t provide sufficient punch for such a large car. Over our mixed route, it returned only 25mpg, while it’s expected to cost more than the oil-burner.

The torquey 138bhp diesel is far better. It can be mated to six-ratio manual or twin-clutch DSG boxes and is offered with stop-start. It’s reasonably quiet, and promises 52mpg economy and 143g/km emissions – similar to the equivalent Ford Galaxy.

Standard kit is decent, too, even in the S trim that’s set to kick off the range at £21,500 at launch in November. It gets a digital radio, eight speakers, curtain airbags and air-con, while extras include the latest Park Assist system – which now finds and guides you into supermarket-style bays, as well as parallel street spaces.

There’s also the option of a full-leather six-seater. It all adds up to one of the finest family carriers around.

Rival: Ford Galaxy
the old Galaxy was the same car as the previous Sharan, but latest model is a standalone project. It’s a fine-driving seven-seater with a large, flat-fold load area, yet trails the VW on refinement.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,584
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,050 off RRP*Used from £13,125
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £37,230Avg. savings £3,710 off RRP*Used from £15,440
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,541 off RRP*Used from £11,990
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona - front end

Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle

Hybrid newcomers slug it out for family buyers’ hearts and minds
Car group tests
12 Jul 2025