Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Sharan MPV review (2010-2022)

"The Volkswagen Sharan is a sensible, practical and capable seven-seat MPV"

Carbuyer Rating

3.6 out of 5

Owners Rating

2.8 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Refined and comfortable
  • Robust and high-quality
  • Practical and versatile

Cons

  • Quite expensive to buy
  • More modern rivals available
  • Plain styling despite 2015 facelift

The Volkswagen Sharan is a family MPV, a type of car that is now a dying breed in the UK. As a result, the Sharan is no longer available to order from Volkswagen dealers; for the moment, you may be able to find a new or nearly new model that’s already in stock. Alternatives include the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer, the Ford Galaxy and also the Ford S-MAX.

Advertisement - Article continues below

You could also consider the SEAT Alhambra, which is another discontinued model that will appeal to used buyers. Both the Alhambra and the Sharan are good choices because of their boxy design, which gives plenty of interior space. Both are easy to drive, comfortable and practical.

Citroen C4 Grand SpaceTourerTop 10 best large MPVs

The Sharan was available with petrol or diesel power. The 1.4-litre 148bhp petrol might be useful for short trips but most will prefer one of the 2.0-litre diesels, which have 148 and 175bhp. These models work well if you do a lot of miles a year since they return good fuel economy and are punchy and easy to drive.

You can expect about 45mpg from our pick, which is the 148bhp diesel engine. There are manual or automatic gearbox options - the latter will reduce fuel economy slightly but make the driving experience much easier in traffic.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Standard equipment is good; look out for models with sat nav, parking sensors, folding tray tables and adaptive cruise control, or even a panoramic sunroof and heated front seats on higher-spec cars. 

In terms of reliability, the Sharan certainly feels well built but it didn’t feature in our 2021 Driver Power survey so we don’t have concrete information on it as a model. Volkswagen as a brand finished 17th out of 30 manufacturers in the survey, with a fairly average result in the reliability category.

The Sharan scored the full five stars in its Euro NCAP crash tests when tested in 2010, with an excellent 96% for adult occupant safety. As the Sharan is one of the oldest MPVs still on sale, it was tested again in 2019 under the updated testing criteria, scoring four stars overall with its adult occupancy score falling to 89% overall.

The Sharan is comfortable and boasts an impressive engine range, good quality interior, space for seven passengers, plus excellent safety credentials. It's not perfect; the top-of-the-range models are rather expensive and the styling is a little dull, so it’s worth considering rivals such as the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer, Renault Grand Scenic and Ford S-MAX too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
15 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car
Skoda Superb Estate Carbuyer drive
In-depth reviews
15 Mar 2024

Skoda Superb Estate review – a near-faultless, practical family car

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon
2024 Porsche Panamera front quarter dynamic
In-depth reviews
13 Mar 2024

Porsche Panamera review – a tech-packed sports saloon

More on Sharan

Show me:
Top 10 best used 7-seater cars
Skoda Kodiaq SUV
Best cars
3 Nov 2022

Top 10 best used 7-seater cars

Seven-seat cars tend to be expensive, but you can save a lot of money by scouring the second-hand market. We've picked out the best used 7-seat cars t…
Top 10 best large MPVs
Citroen C4 Grand SpaceTourer
Best cars
3 May 2022

Top 10 best large MPVs

If you need to transport a large family, a seven-seat MPV still makes a lot of sense. Here are the best new and used models to buy
Top 3 used family MPVs for £20,000
Hero
Tips and advice
10 Mar 2022

Top 3 used family MPVs for £20,000

Dear Carbuyer, I’m looking for a spacious used MPV to transport my family of five. What can I get for £20,000?
Skip advert
Advertisement
Top 3 used premium MPVs for £18,000
Tips and advice
21 Aug 2020

Top 3 used premium MPVs for £18,000

“Dear Carbuyer, I’m looking to buy a used family MPV with a premium badge. What can I get for £18,000?”
New Volkswagen Sharan prices announced
News
3 Jun 2015

New Volkswagen Sharan prices announced

Improved engine range and new technology for 2015 version of MPV

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
19 Dec 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024