Volkswagen SHARAN S RANGE
With The Introduction Of Entry-Level S-Specification Models, Volkswagens Sharan MPV Can At Last Compete Against Bargain Basement-Priced Large People Carriers. Jonathan Crouch Reports
With all the current fuss surrounding various manufacturers
mini-MPV models, its easy to forget that for about the same money as a decently specified example of the breed, you could get the real thing. That of course, is a large People Carrier. Something with proper room for seven rather than a squashed-up extra bench
seat option. Something perhaps like a
Volkswagen Sharan in entry-level S guise.
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The Sharan S is Volkswagens effort to gain a foothold in the bargain basement part of the large MPV sector, an area of the market dominated in recent years by cars like Kias Sedona and Hyundais Trajet. SEATs Alhambra has also done pretty well here too, offered in entry-level 2.0S form for just over £16,000, an asking figure that until recently, made the apparently identical baseline VW Sharan SE at over £18,500 look to be an expensive indulgence. The Sharan and the Alhambra do, after all, share the same design, the same engine and the same Iberian production line.
Hence Volkswagens decision to extend the Sharan range down market with the S specification variants featured here, priced in 2.0-litre petrol form at £17,495 (though dealers have a range of special offers which could well reduce that figure further). With this in mind, you could well, for the first time, see price parity between entry-level
SEAT and VW full-size MPVs, in which case, theres probably little doubt as to which the majority of buyers will choose. Volkswagens premium brand positioning and slightly higher resale values should count in the German makers favour here.
A decent level of equipment should help too. Standard features include remote control central locking, air conditioning which extends to the glovebox (for keeping drinks and snacks cool), ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, front and side airbags with a curtain airbag system and three-point seatbelts for all passengers
"This is Volkswagens effort to gain a foothold in the bargain basement part of the large MPV sector"
Of course, people buying on a budget often prefer the option of diesel power, even if theres an initial price premium up front to do so. Hence the availability of S specification with both diesel Sharan engines, the 115PS unit and the superb 130PS engine. These retail at £19,075 and £19,530 respectively, though curiously, only the 115PS unit can be ordered with automatic transmission, this Volkswagens 5-speed tiptronic box. Both of these diesels are suitably parsimonious.
Even the 130bhp unit returns 43.5mpg on the combined cycle, giving it a theoretical range of 670miles; thats Penzance to Penrith and halfway back again. Neither of the Volkswagens diesel engines have common rail technology and one of the bi-products of this is that they arent the quietest units of their kind. Still, that doesnt stop them from being amongst the most impressive diesels around.
The figures say that sixty shows up from rest in 12.8s in the 130bhp unit, but it feels quicker than that, a legacy of ther impressive reserves of mid-range torque on offer. In practice, this means ready pulling power in almost any gear, something which is a real boon, both on the open road (where you often dont have to drop a gear to overtake) and around town (which you dont have to row the thing along with the gearstick). Of course, all these S models feature the package of improvements lately introduced across the Sharan line-up.
The latest models boast a new look to the back end with a redesigned tail light cluster as well as safety-conscious indicators that are incorporated into the door mirrors. Seven seats are standard on all models and as far as their layout is concerned, things are pretty familiar though early Sharan buyers should find that the removable chairs themselves should feel a lot more comfortable in this current model. Sadly, they're no lighter, so lugging them in and out remains a job not to be undertaken by the weak or faint-hearted. The two front seats can be swivelled round completely to face the rear - which is great for picnics and business meetings if you're stationary and there's only four in the car. It's annoying however, that you still can't do the same with the middle set so that occupants behind the driver can face each other and talk on longer journeys. The Sharan's roadgoing behaviour was already unsurpassed in its class and a series of suspension tweaks for the second generation models have improved things still further. The German engineers concentrated particularly on improving the ride over poor surfaces - the kind of thing you notice around town - and they've largely succeeded without compromising the higher speed handling that makes this car the rewarding drive it is. Although there are newer designs and cheaper rivals, the appeal of the Sharan remains undiminished, especially in these entry-level S models. If youre looking for a top quality MPV with the right badge and a decent level of standard equipment, the Sharan answers the call. The fact that it now costs nearly the same as a South Korean cheapie is just an extra bonus.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR:
Volkswagen Sharan S range
PRICES: £17,495 -£19,530 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 11-12
CO2 EMISSIONS: 176-233g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.0] Max Speed 110mph / 0-60mph 15.0s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0] (urban) 23.7mpg / (constant 56mph) 41.5mpg/ (constant 75mph) 32.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 182/84/69"
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