Volkswagen Sharan: For Large Families

The segment of the minivans seems that it returns to the load; after several years in continuous decline, sales began to improve to the point of doubling the figure achieved by saloons. The Volkswagen Sharan is one of those cars that if you try it and see its possibilities you will not want another.

It is above the Touran and is positioned as the largest in the Volkswagen range, so it has as its main rivals the SEAT Alhambra, the car with which it shares a platform, Renault Espace or Ford Galaxy.

Volkswagen Sharan exterior design

It measures 4.85 meters in length, but what is most striking is its height, at 1.72 meters, making it taller than most of its rivals and taller than almost all SUVs ; a Touareg is two centimeters shorter.

These are vehicles where the search for space prevails over design, but the truth is that this Sharan is quite beautiful, with very achieved proportions.

The front is very similar to the rest of the Volkswagen range, with a small grille and upward spotlights adorned by an LED strip. The hood is very steep, a necessity on such a tall vehicle, and that steepness ends in a huge front window, perfect for enjoying the scenery.

From the side it is difficult to differentiate it from the Alhambra, with which it shares a multitude of elements, both exterior and interior. The huge glass area is ideal to enjoy a very bright interior. In addition, some rails on the rear wings reveal one of the secrets of this Volkswagen Sharan: its sliding rear doors.

The rear is classic but functional in cut, with a huge tailgate that provides exceptional access to the trunk.  The large rear window facilitates rear vision.

Interior design and habitability

Not even the most spacious SUV on the market is capable of conveying the sense of space that the interior of the Sharan gives. Access is extremely comfortable, with huge doors and seats slightly higher than in a saloon, making entry and exit easier.

The dashboard is quite simple if we compare it with more modern cars, and the years are beginning to show … The quality of all the parts is outstanding, with first-class settings and a very successful overall feel.

At the top of the dashboard is the multifunction display, a bit small by today’s standards, but very fast and intuitive. Below are the air conditioning controls, a point in favor for not entering them in the on-screen menu.

Behind we find three very comfortable and spacious individual seats; They can be moved longitudinally 15 centimeters and are accessed through the huge gap left by the practical sliding doors. Getting children out of chairs in a shopping mall is less cumbersome with such space.

If we opt for the seven-seater version, with a package that costs 1,115 euros, we will be able to access another two in a third row by reclining the seats of the second, which leaves an acceptable space thanks to the generous height. These seats are less spacious than the front ones, but suitable for medium-sized adults.

The five-seater trunk has 955 liters, a spectacular figure. If it is the seven-seater version, the last two fold under the boot floor, so there is less space for up to 809 liters, and with seven seats in use, it goes down to 300 liters.

Dynamics and engines

When the ultimate goal of a vehicle is to offer the greatest possible comfort to its occupants, its dynamic qualities are often impaired, but in the Volkswagen Sharan a compromise has been achieved that allows fast driving without too much rocking.

On fast roads, everything is a breeze, as it is poised and silent, with a very good linear stability and a ride quality within the reach of few saloons.

It is on roads with sharp curves that you notice its 1,697 kilograms of weight and high center of gravity, but it defends itself much better than one might expect of it. The support changes are quite fast, but we must control the amount of gas that we give inside the curve to avoid an excessive inclination of the body.

All in all, the Sharan is a relatively nimble car, much more than a Ssangyong Rodius, but not quite up to the level of a Ford Galaxy.

In the mechanical section, we have available a version of gasoline 2.0 TSI 220 hp and three diesel, all with the two-liter engine but with 115, 150 or 184 hp.

The diesel versions, the best sellers, have a little refined operation, with a level of vibrations and harshness unusual in a car of this price. It is not something to rule out your purchase, but a Ford Galaxy or a Citroën Gran C4 Spacetourer are more refined in this regard.

The gasoline engine is much more satisfactory, silent and refined, although the consumption is an average of 2.0 l / 100 km higher than that of diesel.

Price and conclusion

Part of 37,010 euros that the Volkswagen Sharan is worth with the 115 hp 1.6 TDI engine and the basic Edition finish, up to 50,320 euros for the 184 hp 2.0 TDI with the DSG change, seven seats and the Sport finish.

If you have a large family or are one of those who always carry the trunk to the tray, with this large minivan you will forget about the lack of space. In addition, it  is very comfortable for long journeys and the level of security is excellent; a great alternative.