ALL Volkswagen's first range of Sharan people carriers were built in the same Spanish factory as the Ford Galaxy and SEAT Alhambra.
It was the giant German car maker’s only MPV until the advent of the smaller Touran.
Ford has now gone its own way, but the SEAT and VW models were still in showrooms until recently and there are plenty of Sharans around second-hand.
Don’t buy without service history – anyone who has not kept it up deserves not to be able to sell.
Petrol power starts with the 1.8 turbo which has 150bhp, then there’s an underpowered and breathless 2.0-litre with 115 and finally, the range topper has the company’s excellent 2.8 V6 unit with 174bhp.
Diesels are much more sought-after of course, and on offer are 1.9’s with 90, 115 or 130bhp, or the latest 2.0-litre with 140bhp.
These will all do 40mpg or thereabouts and make much more sense for such a large vehicle.
Interior
Handling is excellent, ride very good and driving car-like, with light controls and excellent power steering.
Some models only come with five seats so if you want seven make sure you have them. And remember the five rear seats are heavy and very awkward to get out.
FAST FACTS
Volkswagen Sharan
Price: Pay about £9,900 for an ‘05 55-reg S, or £13,700 for an 07 07-reg Sport.
Mechanical: 140bhp, 1,896cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving the front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 119mph
0-62mph: 12.2 seconds
Combined mpg: 42
Insurance group: 11
CO2 emissions: 175g/km
BIK rating: 20%
Marks: 9/10
Main rival: SEAT Alhambra