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Volkswagen

Monday, 8th of September 2008

The Volkswagen Sharan is available with the 115bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine that struggles to provide the Sharan with the power that it needs. In diesel, there is the elderly 1.9-litre and the best of the bunch, which is the 2.0-litre TDI.

The Sharan handles almost like a saloon car, something that Volkswagen is very proud of. If the car is driven carefully (as an MPV should be) then everything is just fine, try and force the issue and you will encounter body roll. The ride is somewhat firm but handles well for such a large car. The power steering is precise.

The cabin is elegant and well put together. The materials that have been used are good quality and the switches and dials have the usual dampening you’d expect from Volkswagen. Reliability is an issue with the Sharan and customer satisfaction surveys have shown that the Sharan does not perform to Volkswagen’s normal high standards. Doors close with that lovely, satisfying thunk.

Twin front and side airbags plus curtain airbags come as standard. Anti-lock brakes plus traction and stability control are only standard on range-topping models. The Sharan received four stars for adult occupation during Euro NCAP crash tests. An alarm is standard across the Sharan range.

The Sharan is certainly spacious but unfortunately the seats have to be removed to allow the massive 2,610 litres of load capacity. So many MPVs now have such clever ways of moving and stowing seating that it makes the Sharan look archaic, and it does require a certain amount of physical strength to remove the seats. Head and legroom is good in the front, second and third rows.

Insurance begins a group 11 and the fuel economy is poor on all but the diesels. The fact that the Sharan is beginning to look its age has an effect on residuals and they are no longer impressive.