Security Deposit:           1000€
Transmission:                Automatic
Seats:                              7
Engine:                            2-liter, Diesel
0-60mph in:                    9 sec.
MSRP:                             $40.000
Horse Power:                 –

he Volkswagen Sharan is a capable and efficient seven-seat MPV ideally suited for large families. The styling is a little on the plain side – it’s not as eye-catching as the sporty Ford S-MAX, for example – but its simple design is not unattractive. It also drives well for such a large car – the handling is sharp, the visibility is good and there’s little body roll in corners. The engine line-up is strong – particularly the diesel units – offering enough punch to cope with the Sharan’s considerable dimensions while still being economical. In fact, some of the diesel versions will return more than 56mpg. But the Volkswagen’s biggest strength is its practicality. Its flexible seating layout allows for all seats bar the driver’s to be folded flat, creating an enormous amount of space. The sliding doors give superb access to the rear seats, too. The Sharan’s only real flaw is the fact that it can’t quite match its slightly more talented sister car, the SEAT Alhambra. The two are almost identical, but we think the SEAT’s exterior design is a little more attractive. It offers better value for money, too, and marginally lower depreciation. But that doesn’t stop the Sharan from being a very talented machine in its own right.