GENEVA — Volkswagen rolled out its all-new third-generation Sharan minivan at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. The seven-seater will go on sale in the U.K. later this year, and VW is starting to take orders this month in Europe.
Calling it "the most frugal MPV of its class in the world," VW says the Sharan gets the equivalent of 44.3 mpg from its 138-horsepower 2.0-liter TDI engine. A TSI engine making 197 hp is also available on the new Sharan.
The most noticeable new feature is a set of rear sliding doors. The Sharan also gets EasyFold seating that allows adjustment of all seven seats, and a panoramic sliding roof. Adaptive chassis control and a level regulating system are among the technological upgrades. The Sharan 4Motion is a four-wheel-drive version of the MPV, equipped with the 2.0-liter TDI engine.
Inside Line says: European families will look at this one with interest. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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poorjoe says:
12:30 PM, 07/07/2010
Routan is not a VW van, sorry. It's a POS Dodge dressed up by VW.
morido says:
10:27 AM, 06/28/2010
I am buying this car in a minute if VW brings it to the USA. Please VW there is no other van like it in the US. All other minivans are either too big or too small. This is perfect for a family of 4 or 5. Please here all these people VW ! We need this van here !
stjohns says:
03:22 PM, 06/12/2010
The Routan is a much better VW van for American families. The size fits U S volume & feature preferences to a tee. The 4.0 V6 w/ 6 speed is quick and fuel efficient euro tuned handlling to responsive.. A replacement for the small V6 is coming. The all new Pentastar V6 has 280 HP and get 26 MPG. Test drive one and you will enjoy it like our family does.
alfs says:
10:18 PM, 06/04/2010
If VW brought the 4Motion version of this van to North America, I would buy it in a minute. I don't understand why VW only sells a re-badged Dodge Caravan in North America. If they already make a great vehicle in Europe, why sell us junk in North America?
nsuthersan says:
07:31 AM, 03/08/2010
VW should brought this car to the US instead of the Routan. It's way more efficient and it has a much nicer interior.
colorado1974 says:
07:20 PM, 03/03/2010
My wife says this looks like a warmed over Oldsmobile Silhouette. After looking, SHE'S TOTALLY RIGHT! The Chrysler is a much better looking van. So is the Honda concept.
atenza94546 says:
05:24 PM, 03/03/2010
bankerdanny, Unless they have reduce in size otherwise the Sharan was rated as Large MPV all along.
Also U.S. had been inflating car size all around for many cars.
The Full size car 10 years ago now is rated as family size car ????!!!!
angry_mushroom says:
03:13 PM, 03/03/2010
Is it bad that I kinda like this design? Wonder if it'll come to the U.S?
bankerdanny says:
02:57 PM, 03/03/2010
atenza, is this a Caravan competitor, or does it play in the mini-minivan segment occupied by the Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo?
joshg_5 says:
02:49 PM, 03/03/2010
Juan; I agree, VW's new frontal design scheme really works well with all it's vehicles, but not too much so, like how some see Audi's fascia.