Review: VW Sharan

The long-running seven-seat people carrier remains a fine MPV

Those in the market for a seven-seater have no end of choice – but most of it is in the SUV sector. The range of traditional seven-seat MPVs on sale is much more restricted, which limits choice for those who still need full-size people carriers with the ability to carry seven six-footers.

Luckily, two of the best remain as good as ever. The Volkswagen Sharan and closely-related Seat Alhambra are made for people-carrying duties – and although the Seat is cheaper, there’s no denying the allure of the Volkswagen brand. What is it that makes it so appealing, though?

Three able engines help deliver on-road prowess. Even the small-sounding 1.4-litre petrol is able (and very refined), although most go for the 2.0-litre turbodiesels. The best all-rounder is the 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI, which has enough grunt for big families while also delivering good economy. The 182bhp alternative sounds tempting, but it vibrates more and is less refined in town.

Can an MPV be fun to drive, though? Well, the Sharan is no sports car, but it’s stable and precise enough, with good body control – and if you go for the optional DCC adaptive suspension, the ride quality is very impressive no matter what the load.

Volkswagen makes life for the driver comfortable. A multi-adjustable chair and perfectly-placed controls give an excellent seating position and there’s a massive windscreen for a clear view forwards. It’s easy to see out of when you look behind, too: the glass area is huge. Volkswagen’s top-notch build quality is also evident, and the standard 6.5in touchscreen infotainment system is comprehensive – it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus a rear-view camera, so it’s only slightly dated graphics that count against it.

The big draw of the Volkswagen Sharan is interior space. There’s an abundance for seven people, with sliding rear doors making things even easier – you can even have them with electric operation. It’s easy to get in and out, even in tight parking spaces, and they make access to the third-row seats simple too. If you want the ultimate in luxury, you can get a six-seat configuration, with middle-row ‘captain’s chairs’.

Don’t think having seven seats means no luggage capacity, either. You can get a couple of aircraft cabin bags in even when all seven seats are occupied. In five-seat mode, the load bay is enormous… lowering all five rear seats makes it more like a van. Factor in well thought out practicality, from an abundance of cubby holes to integrated sun blinds, picnic tables and enough width to clip in three child seats across the sliding-seat middle row, and you’ve a family car hero.

Admittedly, it’s not cheap. A Ford Galaxy and Citroen Grand C4 Picasso are cheaper – as is, of course, the Seat Alhambra. But the Volkswagen brand means good retained values, so it should make finance deals competitive. Diesel engines are fuel-efficient and Volkswagen’s extensive standard safety kit helped it score a full five stars in Euro NCAP safety testing.

For those who need a seven-seater to frequently carry seven people, there’s a lot to like with the upmarket-feel Sharan. It’s good to drive, well-equipped and powered by some very strong engines. The fact it’s so spacious and practical even helps overcome expensive list prices. It’s a premium people carrying exemplar.

Rob Adams is a writer for WhatCar.