Item: Used Volkswagen Sharan 2010-present
Rating: 4
Author: Steve Huntingford

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/used-review/n832">Ford Galaxy</a>&nbsp;has a practical and well-equipped interior, and it’s comfortable and good to drive. It is pricier than the Alhambra, but on a par with the Sharan. Only the sluggish infotainment system lets this car down.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/alhambra/mpv/used-review/n17427">Seat Alhambra</a>&nbsp;is the sister under the skin of the Sharan. Like the VW, it’s incredibly roomy and practical, relatively affordable used, and it’s comfortable. It should, if anything, be slightly cheaper on the used forecourts than the VW.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/classifieds/used-cars/volkswagen/sharan">Find a used Volkswagen Sharan in the What Car? Classifieds here</a>

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Most problems listed relate to non-engine electrical failure of systems around the air-con or sat-nav. Some early cars had problems with the DSG automatic gearbox, so ask and look at any paperwork to see if any work has been carried out on it and check its operation well.

Not great news. In our most recent reliability survey the Sharan scored a rather underwhelming 78%, which placed it fairly low down the MPV class. VW as a brand finished in 19th place out of 37 manufacturers.

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The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

SHARAN

The Volkswagen Sharan is a premium seven-seat MPV that’s well equipped and good to drive

Used Volkswagen Sharan 2010-present

Not surprisingly the most economical Sharans are the diesels, with the 2.0 TDI 150 in Bluemotion spec seeing an average claimed 56.5mpg. The more powerful 2.0 TDI 184 diesel will see an average 53.3mpg in certain trims, while the petrol 1.4-litre will claim an average 43.5mpg in its most economical trims.

Tax and insurance costs should be relatively low, whether registered before or after the tax-change date of April 2017.

Servicing costs are reasonable, with a service plan that offers you a discount on your next two services at £468, or a fixed-cost maintenance plan that allows you to choose your annual mileage and how long you’re going to keep the car before computing a monthly payment for you.

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The Volkswagen Sharan is a premium seven-seat MPV that’s well equipped and good to drive


Sharans with huge mileages can be had for as little as £5000, but it's probably more advisable to spend more on one with a lower mileage. You’ll need at least £8000 to buy a good Sharan, with an average mileage for the year. Reckon on that and you’ll get a 2011 car with a full history from an independent dealer or trader. As we said it’s possible to pick one up for less but only with a six-figure mileage. Up the dosh to between £10,000 and £12,000 and you’ll get a good 2012 car with an average mileage and a full service history, while £13,000 to £17,000 will net you a post-facelift 2014 car, possibly even a 2016 car from a trader.

The best balance, and our pick of the range, is the 148bhp 2.0 TDI, because it has the pull large families need, but also emits the least CO2 and uses the least fuel.

Entry-level S models get electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, and automatic wipers as standard on the outside, while inside there is tri-zone climate control, a cooled glove box and Volkswagen's Composition infotainment system complete with a 6.5in touchscreen display, DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

Upgrading to SE adds 16in alloy wheels, chrome-plated roof rails, parking sensors, cruise control, second row picnic tables and vanity mirrors. We'd opt for this trim, if available on the forecourts.

Our favourite Volkswagen Sharan:&nbsp;2.0 TDI 150 SE

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.

Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.

But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.

This is a large people-carrying MPV so check the bodywork for car park scuffs and any damage to the wheels. Check all the seats fold and slide as they should, and the rear doors too, as these slide to open, electrically, in some versions.

If you need seven seats and a large boot you now have more choice than ever. For years, the MPV ruled the roost in this class, but in recent years the SUV has come along to steal some of its thunder.

Many of those SUVs are now seven seaters, but it’s still true that if you want the ultimate space, the ability to use all the seats and still have room left over for luggage, or for the dog, you still need an MPV, and none of them are as capacious and generally as good to own as this Volkswagen Sharan.

The original Sharan shared its underpinnings with the Seat Alhambra and the Ford Galaxy, but this second-generation model is only related to the Seat, its VW Group cousin. Both MPVs are virtually identical, which means sharp styling, huge interiors and reasonably good driving manners.

There’s also a good range of efficient engines on offer, with one 1.4-litre petrol available as a manual or automatic, or a 2.0-litre TDI diesel available in two power outputs, and again, both with either a manual or automatic gearbox.

Then there are four different trim choices, although only the top three can be paired with the pokier diesel engine. Even the base S trim comes pretty well equipped, though, with electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, and automatic wipers as standard on the outside, while inside there is tri-zone climate control, Volkswagen's Composition infotainment system complete with a 6.5in touchscreen display, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

On the road all the engine options are pretty smooth and refined, although it’s the diesels that offer more low-down punch and better fuel economy. They can all be driven with reasonable verve, too, even if, perhaps understandably, they won’t inspire keener drivers. The best balance is probably to be found in the 148bhp 2.0 TDI version, because it has the pull large families need but also emits the least CO2 and uses the least fuel.

The more powerful 182bhp unit is usefully quicker, but it’s less refined around town, with marginally more noise and vibration being evident from the driver’s seat. Both, however, are impressively refined on the motorway.

That said, for the best refinement, you’ll want the entry-level 1.4-litre petrol. It’s by far the quietest engine under load and remains smooth no matter how hard you work it. Both the diesels by contrast sound gruff at high revs, especially when cold, and send more vibrations back though the pedals and steering wheel.

No MPV can claim to be outright fun to drive, but the Sharan does a good job in the handling department. It’s not as sharp as the Ford Galaxy or sportier Seat Alhambra, but there’s enough weight and precision in the VW’s steering for it to feel eager and body control in tight bends is very good.

DCC adaptive chassis control is also available as an option. It individually adjusts the dampers at each wheel to give better body control yet improves ride comfort. The system works well and also offers drivers the option to override the Normal setting with a Sport or Comfort mode.

But it’s the huge interior and its quality that’s the main selling point for the Sharan, and neat touches like the sliding rear doors (electrically operated on some trims) that makes getting in and out of the car in tight spaces so much easier. The two rearmost seats can happily accommodate tall adults, and there’s a reasonably sized boot even with all the seats up, and a positively huge one with the two rear rows of seats down.

<h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/sharan">Find a used Volkswagen Sharan in the What Car? Classifieds here</a></h3>

Used Volkswagen Sharan 2010-present review

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The Ford Galaxy has a practical and well-equipped interior, and it’s comfortable and good to drive. It is pricier than the Alhambra, but on a par with the Sharan. Only the sluggish infotainment system lets this car down.,The Seat Alhambra is the sister under the skin of the Sharan. Like the VW, it’s incredibly roomy and practical, relatively affordable used, and it’s comfortable. It should, if anything, be slightly cheaper on the used forecourts than the VW.,Find a used Volkswagen Sharan in the What Car? Classifieds hereFor all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here  

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