Cologne The VW Sharan belongs to a dying breed. Vans are no longer hip and are less and less bought as a practical family or leisure vehicle. The VW van has been on the market since 2010, and there will probably not be a successor. This means that used models are becoming increasingly important for van fans. According to TÜV, there are a few things to consider.
Body and interior: The Sharan is 4.85 meters long and can accommodate up to seven people. The front and the second row are airy. Anyone who rides on the optional third seat is either flexible and insensitive to pain or still a child.
The variability of the interior is convincing. The three individual seats in the rear can be folded and moved, but unlike the predecessor, they can no longer be removed. The trunk volume in the five-seater configuration varies between 955 and 2,430 liters depending on the seat position, in the seven-seater there are still 300 to around 2,300 liters available for loading.
The operation does not present any problems for VW-savvy drivers; Switches, steering wheel, knobs or infotainment systems are familiar from other VW models. Many shelves make everyday life easier. The rear sliding doors are practical and, depending on the first-time buyer’s need for comfort, they can also work electrically.
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The 2015 facelift made few visual changes. Rear lights with LED technology, other decors and steering wheels made up the most important changes.
Motors and drive: At the market launch, the focus was on diesel engines. The well-known VW two-liter diesel engine was available in three output levels with 85 kW/115 hp, 103 kW/140 hp (from 5/2015: 110 kW/150 hp), 125 kW/170 hp (from 5/2015: 130 kW). /177 hp) and 135 kW/184 hp. On average, they consume between 5 and 6.2 liters.
The diesels offer plenty of torque to rev the van, which weighs around 1.9 tons. In addition, the engines with 150 hp, 177 hp and 184 hp can also be combined with all-wheel drive. Those interested in used cars should note that the software for the Euro 5 units was updated as part of the emissions scandal. In the summer of 2020, VW took the diesels out of the range.
At the market launch, the focus was on diesel engines.
(Photo: VW)
The petrol eke out a rather inconspicuous existence. They are available with displacements of 1.4 and 2.0 liters and 110 kW/150 hp, 147 kW/200 hp or 162 kW/220 hp. The standard consumption is between 6.4 and 8.4 liters. In 2020, VW reduced the offer to the 1.4 with 150 hp. In addition to a manual six-speed gearbox for all engines except for the basic diesel, a dual-clutch gearbox is also available for power transmission.
Equipment and safety: The three typical VW lines “Trendline”, “Comfortline” and “Highline” also form the framework of the comfort level in the Sharan. In the basic version, the Sharan is already fairly well equipped. Individual seats in the rear are standard, as are the two sliding doors. air conditioning and radio.
The front and the second row are airy.
(Photo: VW)
In the higher levels, there are also alloy wheels, roof rails, leather or automatic air conditioning. Over the years, VW had many special models in its range such as Life, Beach, United or Allstar. They are based on the mid-level and offer some extras. If the first-time buyers have studied and appreciated the long list of options for the Sharan, the vehicles also have folding tables on the seat backs, an electric tailgate, heated front seats or three-zone air conditioning.
Also available since the facelift were lane departure warning systems, automatic high beam, distance radar and reversing camera. The family van achieved a five-star rating in the NCAP crash test.
Quality: The drive to the Tüv main inspection (HU) can cause some discomfort for Sharan owners. The van certainly has weak points. This includes in particular the axle suspension. The TÜV inspectors criticize them above average from the first HU. Defective springs and dampers are also not uncommon.
The trunk volume in the five-seater configuration varies between 955 and 2,430 liters depending on the seat position, in the seven-seater there are still 300 to around 2,300 liters available for loading.
(Photo: VW)
In addition, there are fragile drive shafts and rust at an early age. Buyers of used cars should have these problem areas checked before buying to avoid any unpleasant surprises. If the vehicle is already being checked: A look at the brake discs doesn’t hurt either.
Conclusion: The Sharan can make families and recreational athletes happy with its spaciousness – as long as the dream car is in good technical condition. For older models you have to invest around 8,000 euros, they often have high mileage. At least 15,000 euros will be charged for Sharan vehicles that came onto the market after the facelift.
More: Reliable but expensive – that’s how the Mercedes C-class cuts off as a used vehicle