I want to buy a new MPV in 2014.
I am looking at new MPVs for next year. I could not find the Sharan on the Volkswagen website. Has it dropped this model? What would you recommend to replace a Ford S-Max Titanium possibly with an auto box?
Andrew Kelly (Limerick)Oct 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Andrew,
Hmmm. Well, spotted. The Sharan has indeed disappeared from Volkswagen price lists in Ireland (much as has the S-Max and the Galaxy from Ford's) and we're awaiting a call back from Volkswagen Towers as to its fate. The good news is that SEAT's definitely still selling the identical Alhambra, and that's a crackingly good car. You do need to go for the top spec Exclusive DSG model if you want to get an automatic version though.
Next year, Ford will be launching an all-new S-Max, which might be worth holding on for, while Renault's surprisingly still-good Espace (a touch old school but very, very comfy) is still just about on sale, and there's always the Chrysler Voyager. And then there's the Opel Zafira Tourer, a more direct rival to the S-Max than anything else. There's a 2.0-litre CDTi diesel automatic for €34,495 and it's almost as good as the S-Max to drive.
What do you think?
Update:
Just an addendum to this: Volkswagen Ireland has confirmed that the Sharan is no longer available, not even to individual order.
Presumably, if you really, really want one your local Volkswagen dealer could get hold of one for you, but why go to the hassle when the cheaper, better-equipped Alhambra is there?
@neilmbriscoe