Overall reader verdict 5 out of 5 stars

  • What's it like to drive
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Running costs
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality, practicality and equipment
    5 out of 5 stars

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Volkswagen Sharan (10-) MPV
2 reader reviews for Volkswagen Sharan MPV.

  • 2.0 TDI 140 SE 5dr

    David James , Surrey . Date: 17/08/2011
    • Overall verdict
      5 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      4 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      4 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Average MPG
      42

    My car

    The first month with my Sharan 2.0 SE TDI 140 was spoiled by minor problems: I found that the dealer-fit blinds were rubbish and the dealer was difficult about giving a refund on them, and one of the sliding doors wouldn’t hold open properly until it was fixed under warranty. Now these are resolved we can enjoy it properly. It’s a pleasure to drive - not as lively as a Ford Galaxy but it pulls well from low revs, corners tidily and is very smooth, quiet and relaxing. However, its main strengths are in its enormous and classy cabin, which is what the car is all about and why we bought it. It is spacious and comfortable in all 7 seats and the sliding doors give full access even in restricted spaces. The cabin design is excellent, very clear and easy to use from the dashboard to the rearmost seat folding mechanism, and everything feels solid and pleasant to use. My only criticism is that, although there are many storage spaces, they are rather small. It’s big so the standard front and rear parking sensors are helpful and the automatic parking brake sounds like a gimmick but works well. A car like this isn’t cheap but running costs like fuel and insurance are lower than expected. Its ‘self-seal’ tyres are not run-flat as some reviewers and salesmen claim so you can be stranded without a spare - they are like normal tyres but with a polymer that may seal up a small puncture in the tread when you remove whatever punctured the tyre and re-inflate it.

  • 2.0 TDI 170 SE 5dr

    David Turner , Surrey . Date: 26/01/2011
    • Overall verdict
      5 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      4 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Average MPG
      44.2

    My car

    We have now covered >10,000 miles in our Sharan, and it continues to impress. It holds the road well and the ride is excellent and quiet; the only fault (which is probably unavoidable in a car of this size and type) is a slight tendency to wallow when cornering on country lanes. The engine is incredibly refined for a diesel, and the extra-oomph from the 170 bhp version is well worth the premium and offers effortless cruising and smart acceleration (useful when trying to find an overtaking gap on an autobahn). Fuel economy is excellent for a car of this size, both on short and long runs. Having taken advantage of the three year servicing deal and also obtained a hefty dealer discount, the longer-term economics look good (especially since the residuals should be better than the Alhambra and, in my experience, servicing costs for VWs are more competitive than for SEATs). What Car's preference for the Alhambra on grounds of cost seems to ignore both residuals and servicing costs ... For interior quality, space and practicality the Sharan cannot be faulted. The rear seats are a doddle to fold. Even with all seven seats up there is a surprising amount of boot space. Much to my own surprise, we have even managed to fit 6 people, fully-grown labrador in a dog crate and luggage for a 4-day trip into the car without difficulty.

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