Seven-seat Sharan proves BIG hit

Not because they have clearly succumbed to their role as a family chauffeur, rather than a love of driving...oh no.

It comes from the realisation that MPVs have more glass surface than any other kind of car and, in this winter’s icy conditions, that means an awful lot of time spent wielding an ice scraper in anger.

The week I spent with Volkswagen’s new Sharan saw me grow increasingly weary of ice taking hold, both outside and in, as temperatures slumped to -12 deg C.

Despite the conditions I still managed to get some useful miles under the Sharan’s wheels, however.

Bigger Sharan boasts masses of interior space

Volkswagen have made their latest Sharan 220mm longer, 92mm wider and 12mm lower than the previous incarnation. The wheelbase has also stretched by 75mm.

The upshot is more interior space—the rearmost of its seven seats can actually be occupied by adults—and improved aerodynamic efficiency.

With Volkswagen’s bluemotion technology bringing start/stop technology and regenerative braking the new Sharan also manages 50.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 146g/km in the 138bhp two-litre TDI tested here—bettering the likes of Ford’s Galaxy and Renault’s Grand Espace.

Two petrol engines, a 148bhp 1.4-litre TSI and a 197bhp two-litre TSI, and two diesel engines, 138bhp and 168bhp two-litre TDIs, make up the full range.

A price range of £22,980 to £31,680 includes four possible specifications; S, SE, SEL and Executive.

The SE spec seen here is expected to be the big seller. It comes with: 2Zone climate control; cruise control; bluetooth; DAB digital radio; front and rear parking sensors; and an electronic parking brake with auto hold function as standard.

Modern Sharan offers suitably more style

The latest Sharan looks a hundred per cent better than the previous design which underwent only minor revisions from its original 1995 launch.

Visually, it has been brought in-line with the rest of the Volkswagen range with a new face characterised by its broad, slatted grille and angular bi-xenon headlights.

The SE spec Sharan also benefits from a gloss black grille and roof rails and 16 inch alloy wheels.

But there’s a feeling of function over form and the Sharan, though classy in appearance, is not particularly eye-catching.

It’s just a couple of weeks since I endorsed the use of sliding doors on people carriers during a review of the new Mazda 5 and they make another appearance here, affording excellent access to the rear seats. They can also be specced with electrically-powered form as an £610 option.

Child-ready seats are a useful option

Inside, there are five isofix-equipped seats and a second row that can be had with integrated child seats (£380) featuring height adjustable bases and specially developed side supports.

This second row of three seats is served by aeroplane-style fold down trays on the backs of the front seats and features 160mm of fore and aft movement. Each seat can also be removed to create a giant load space.

With the two seats of the third and final row of seats folded flat into the boot floor, a whopping 1,167 litres of boot space can be liberated, and in five-seat format the Sharan still retains a more than healthy 711 litre boot.

Space and build quality are the real strengths

In SE spec the front seats offer four way electrically-operated lumber support, a broad centre armrest and an excellent driving position.

The car-like driving position’s only drawback was a lack of reference points for the outer limits of the bonnet, making tight manoeuvres occasionally feel like an act of faith.

Interior build quality is exemplary with a tactile feel to the materials and controls.

Although my Sharan test drive was blighted by winter weather the big people carrier offered a welcome sense of comfort and security, the presence of nine airbags and a helpful Electronic Stability Control system proving a reassurance.

An impressively damped standard ride made me question the need for the availability of Volkswagen’s Adaptive Chassis Control (£760) as an option.

Rather heavy steering came as something of a surprise but, that apart, the Sharan was a relaxed drive.

That 138bhp (and 236lb.ft. of torque) diesel engine pulling strongly.

Although I got little opportunity to sample its accelerative vigour, Volkswagen claim a 10.9 sprint to 62mph and 121mph top speed.

With a list of cost options as long as your arm and a price range starting slightly above some of its closest rivals, the Sharan has set itself up as a premium MPV offering.

Premium price brings premium quality

As a package it is difficult to fault—the integrity in its build quality especially—but seven-seaters like the Peugeot 5008 and Mazda5 now offer impressive specifications of their own for much less.

If ultimate accommodation and top quality are what you are after, though, the Sharan sits atop the MPV tree.

Only the optional Parking Assist (£200) system—which parks the car automatically using a series of sensors and steering motors—could have made my time with the Sharan any easier...well that and the only thing not on that options list...all round heated windows.