A refreshed version of the seven-seat Volkswagen Sharan MPV has been unveiled, ahead of first UK deliveries in October. The Sharan first arrived in Britain 20 years ago, and the latest model will cost from £26,300 and features engines up to 15 per cent more efficient. Its main rival, the Ford Galaxy, starts from £26,445.
Trim levels include S, SE and SEL and new upholstery, steering wheels and a colour touch-screen will be standard across the range. Every Sharan will also get a Bluetooth connection, three-zone air-con and a safety feature which automatically applies the brakes after a collision.
The popular SE grade brings chrome roof rails, tinted glass, parking sensors and cruise control, while upgrading to SEL adds Adaptive Cruise Control, alcantara upholstery, sat-nav and a panoramic sunroof. If you’d rather stick with SE, but need to know where you’re going and hate sticking a portable unit in your windscreen, the SE Navigation trim adds sat-nav and CarNet in-car internet for £675.
Just one petrol engine is available, a 1.4-litre TSI with 148bhp, but diesel drivers are well catered for with 2.0-litre TDI engines offering 113bhp, 148bhp and 181bhp. The entry-level diesel comes with just a six-speed manual gearbox, but all others get the option of a six-speed DSG automatic as well.
The petrol returns 43.5mpg, while the 113bhp and 148bhp diesels both manage 56.5mpg and emit an identical 130g/km of CO2. Step up to the range-topping diesel (which costs from £31,685) and economy falls slightly to 54.3mpg and emissions climb to 136g/km, increasing its annual tax bill from £110 to £130.
Order books for the practical seven-seater with EasyFold rear seats and side sliding doors opened on June 3rd.
