While the German carmaker already has the Touran - a compact Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) that was launched in 2003 to fill a gap in Volkswagen's model lineup - Volkswagen needed a full-size MPV to better complete its lineup.
Derived from a Persian word that means 'Carrier of Kings', the Sharan was first produced in 1995 and it went on to sell almost 670,000 units worldwide before the second generation succeeded it 15 years later. It was also the second generation Sharan that Singaporeans have come to love since it was launched here two years back.
It was no surprise that the petrol variant that we tested a couple years back was an impressive performer. Thanks to its build quality, great looks and excellent driveability, the Sharan was the first MPV in many years that created a wave of good reviews globally.
Exterior
If you think MPVs are incapable of being passable for even the most fashionable young families, think again.
Derived from a Persian word that means 'Carrier of Kings', the Sharan was first produced in 1995 and it went on to sell almost 670,000 units worldwide before the second generation succeeded it 15 years later. It was also the second generation Sharan that Singaporeans have come to love since it was launched here two years back.
It was no surprise that the petrol variant that we tested a couple years back was an impressive performer. Thanks to its build quality, great looks and excellent driveability, the Sharan was the first MPV in many years that created a wave of good reviews globally.
Exterior
If you think MPVs are incapable of being passable for even the most fashionable young families, think again.
The Sharan is easily one of the best-looking MPVs in the market. The handsome and modernised styling is typical Volkswagen, with uncomplicated lines that doesn't look dull.
Big and clear headlamps, coupled with daytime running lights and a strong horizontal grille, give the front fascia a rather dominating and sleek look - something that most of its competitors are lacking.
Measuring 4,854mm long, 1,904mm wide and 1,740mm tall, the Sharan is discreetly bigger than the Chevrolet Orlando but it looks neither too chunky nor too small. Perhaps the perfect proportions have to do with the Sharan's massive side windows, which give the car a lighter and airy appearance.
Big and clear headlamps, coupled with daytime running lights and a strong horizontal grille, give the front fascia a rather dominating and sleek look - something that most of its competitors are lacking.
Measuring 4,854mm long, 1,904mm wide and 1,740mm tall, the Sharan is discreetly bigger than the Chevrolet Orlando but it looks neither too chunky nor too small. Perhaps the perfect proportions have to do with the Sharan's massive side windows, which give the car a lighter and airy appearance.
Interior
You're bound to feel at home in the Sharan. It's decked out with straightforward, easy to use controls. The main dials are easy to read, too, while the screen is clear, making it easy for the driver to settle his audio preferences without taking his eyes off the road for too long.
But more notably, and perhaps relevantly, there's ample space for seven inside. Second and third occupants can access the roomy cabin via electric sliding doors, which help a lot when your hands are full.
Although occupants on seat six and seven will experience limited headroom, legroom is still sufficient, thanks to the generous wheelbase of 2,919mm. Apart from that, space is the royal order for the day for first two rows of occupants.
You're bound to feel at home in the Sharan. It's decked out with straightforward, easy to use controls. The main dials are easy to read, too, while the screen is clear, making it easy for the driver to settle his audio preferences without taking his eyes off the road for too long.
But more notably, and perhaps relevantly, there's ample space for seven inside. Second and third occupants can access the roomy cabin via electric sliding doors, which help a lot when your hands are full.
Although occupants on seat six and seven will experience limited headroom, legroom is still sufficient, thanks to the generous wheelbase of 2,919mm. Apart from that, space is the royal order for the day for first two rows of occupants.
While boot space isn't brilliant in seven-seat mode, it boasts a plentiful 1,339 litres of luggage capacity in the five-seat configuration and an amazing 2,297 litres of flat load floor if you knock both rear rows of seats down. While it sounds like a lot of work to get the benches folded, it's actually a walk in the park.
The third row can be folded and flipped with one hand while the second row requires a two-handed action to reposition the seats after they've been folded.
Our test car also came with two integrated child seats (that even have belt tensioners), which were located on the centre row. And just like the folding of seats, transforming your normal seat into a child seat is a piece of cake. The only thing that requires a little more work is the switching of headrest.
The third row can be folded and flipped with one hand while the second row requires a two-handed action to reposition the seats after they've been folded.
Our test car also came with two integrated child seats (that even have belt tensioners), which were located on the centre row. And just like the folding of seats, transforming your normal seat into a child seat is a piece of cake. The only thing that requires a little more work is the switching of headrest.
The Drive
The Sharan's 2.0-litre TDI powerplant is so well-integrated with the six-speed gearbox that it makes for a delightful and effortless driving experience. Gear changes are rapid too, portraying a sporty character none other MPVs have.
More impressively, this diesel-powered MPV conceals its industrial sounding engine well. The only time we could hear the faint clatter was during the start up while wind and road noise became perceptible only well after three-digit speed limits.
The diesel engine is modestly up to all but the toughest tasks, too. Do not mistake the humble figures of 177bhp and 9.6 seconds century sprint time because the 380Nm of torque from just 1,750rpm makes short work of overtaking and filling up gaps in traffic.
More interestingly, the German MPV can be a playful Pullman at times. Floor the accelerator at a junction as you make the turn and passers-by are bound to stop and stare as the Sharan screeches through, leaving a streak of tyre mark on the tarmac.
The Sharan's 2.0-litre TDI powerplant is so well-integrated with the six-speed gearbox that it makes for a delightful and effortless driving experience. Gear changes are rapid too, portraying a sporty character none other MPVs have.
More impressively, this diesel-powered MPV conceals its industrial sounding engine well. The only time we could hear the faint clatter was during the start up while wind and road noise became perceptible only well after three-digit speed limits.
The diesel engine is modestly up to all but the toughest tasks, too. Do not mistake the humble figures of 177bhp and 9.6 seconds century sprint time because the 380Nm of torque from just 1,750rpm makes short work of overtaking and filling up gaps in traffic.
More interestingly, the German MPV can be a playful Pullman at times. Floor the accelerator at a junction as you make the turn and passers-by are bound to stop and stare as the Sharan screeches through, leaving a streak of tyre mark on the tarmac.
That's not to say the vehicle is all fun. Volkswagen has sensibly focused on providing a comfortable ride in the Sharan. Equipped with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), which allows drivers to choose between the Comfort, Normal and Sport damper settings, the Sharan levels broken roads and humps with ease, displaying a level of composure that could shame even some of its peers.
Having an accurate steering adds to the Sharan's appeal and it does help the driver, too, especially when it gets a tad tricky to manoeuvre in smaller spaces.
Conclusion
Although we couldn't match the claimed fuel figures of 17km/L, we still managed a rather impressive 13.5km/L with a heavy right foot and seven occupants on board.
There's just no doubting the Sharan's abilities. Styling to match, sufficient space, a lofty driving position and excellent performance all add up to one impressive package.
Having an accurate steering adds to the Sharan's appeal and it does help the driver, too, especially when it gets a tad tricky to manoeuvre in smaller spaces.
Conclusion
Although we couldn't match the claimed fuel figures of 17km/L, we still managed a rather impressive 13.5km/L with a heavy right foot and seven occupants on board.
There's just no doubting the Sharan's abilities. Styling to match, sufficient space, a lofty driving position and excellent performance all add up to one impressive package.
