Volkswagen's Sharan Is The Pragmatic Euro Hauler We Need In America
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Date: 2023-06-13
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Comments and reviews: 19
AC
No MPV in North America, you say? I disagree. Ford gave it a college try with the North American Transit Connect Wagon. The second generation even came in two lengths, the short one was a five-seater and the long wheelbase model had seven seats arranged like in this Sharan, with the same third row design (flipping seat bottom, etc. For a time you could even get Ford s 1. 6L turbo four cylinder in your Transit Connect Wagon. The interior design was shared with the Ford Focus. One problem: nobody really bought them. I entirely agree that these boxy, practical, and funnish-to-drive hatchback based MPVs are right sized and should be more popular in the US. But Ford showed us that they just aren t going to happen here.
By the way, for my money I would much prefer to have the hybrid Toyota Sienta MPV in North America over the Sharan. The Sienta seems like a Japan-only model. It s a shame, because I love the idea of a practical, smallish, and fuel efficient people mover. As a Honda Fit owner, I have been convinced that fun-to-drive, boxy proportions, and whacky folding seats are must haves in a small footprint vehicle.
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No MPV in North America, you say? I disagree. Ford gave it a college try with the North American Transit Connect Wagon. The second generation even came in two lengths, the short one was a five-seater and the long wheelbase model had seven seats arranged like in this Sharan, with the same third row design (flipping seat bottom, etc. For a time you could even get Ford s 1. 6L turbo four cylinder in your Transit Connect Wagon. The interior design was shared with the Ford Focus. One problem: nobody really bought them. I entirely agree that these boxy, practical, and funnish-to-drive hatchback based MPVs are right sized and should be more popular in the US. But Ford showed us that they just aren t going to happen here.
By the way, for my money I would much prefer to have the hybrid Toyota Sienta MPV in North America over the Sharan. The Sienta seems like a Japan-only model. It s a shame, because I love the idea of a practical, smallish, and fuel efficient people mover. As a Honda Fit owner, I have been convinced that fun-to-drive, boxy proportions, and whacky folding seats are must haves in a small footprint vehicle.
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Diabolox
Mannnnn no! The Sharan was not the first real minivan. It was the Renault Espace. And wayyyyyyy better than the Sharan. The issue in Europe is their dumb way of imitation of the US with the SUV. The Ford Galaxy is one of the last survivors as well. Honestly we had the best minivans in the world and now the only survivor is the Sienna. Cool but not as practical and smart as the European version. Nowadays in Europe if you have a 3 kids. Good luck!
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Mannnnn no! The Sharan was not the first real minivan. It was the Renault Espace. And wayyyyyyy better than the Sharan. The issue in Europe is their dumb way of imitation of the US with the SUV. The Ford Galaxy is one of the last survivors as well. Honestly we had the best minivans in the world and now the only survivor is the Sienna. Cool but not as practical and smart as the European version. Nowadays in Europe if you have a 3 kids. Good luck!
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Mtm
I just want German wagons back. Avants/Alltracks/etc. Europe gets so many more cars than we do Sadly I ended up with a Taos (which I do enjoy driving and think is packaged very well and has a lot of room for its wheelbase) because a crossover or bigger is the only way to get a decent POV in the USA with the proliferation of huge cars. Race to the biggest in the US is absurd. but we do have streets and the built environment that makes it feasible.
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I just want German wagons back. Avants/Alltracks/etc. Europe gets so many more cars than we do Sadly I ended up with a Taos (which I do enjoy driving and think is packaged very well and has a lot of room for its wheelbase) because a crossover or bigger is the only way to get a decent POV in the USA with the proliferation of huge cars. Race to the biggest in the US is absurd. but we do have streets and the built environment that makes it feasible.
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Krzysztof
We got for a while ford galaxy hybrid - 2, 5 gas and some battery, with childseat tilt, but without sliding doors - still, the best car for big family in Europe - of course killed because of suv fashion. LWB ID Buzz is next gen most family friendly, SWB is a joke. We do not get Grand Highlander, Lexus TX, Pilot, non of US minivans. Nissan also do not offer Pathfinder in EU. We and up with comercial cars converted into family cars.
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We got for a while ford galaxy hybrid - 2, 5 gas and some battery, with childseat tilt, but without sliding doors - still, the best car for big family in Europe - of course killed because of suv fashion. LWB ID Buzz is next gen most family friendly, SWB is a joke. We do not get Grand Highlander, Lexus TX, Pilot, non of US minivans. Nissan also do not offer Pathfinder in EU. We and up with comercial cars converted into family cars.
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mark
Always thought that the Sharan and the other Euro MPVs were cool vehicles. Just amazing packaging in a pretty handsome wrapper. Sad that automakers have killed off this type of vehicle for compact 7-seat CUVs. I think the Tiguan Allspace was effectively the Sharan's replacement. Also, this last gen of VW interiors look more solid and elegant than whatever VW is putting on their new EVs.
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Always thought that the Sharan and the other Euro MPVs were cool vehicles. Just amazing packaging in a pretty handsome wrapper. Sad that automakers have killed off this type of vehicle for compact 7-seat CUVs. I think the Tiguan Allspace was effectively the Sharan's replacement. Also, this last gen of VW interiors look more solid and elegant than whatever VW is putting on their new EVs.
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Libor
It looks similar to Volkswagen Touran (No sliding door at the back and No 7 seats. When I am in Europe I drive 2005 2. 0 TDI model. After all of those years it looks like new an fuel efficiency is unbelievable. I can get 5 liters per 100kms with 4 people on board. Seats at the back can be removed so I can have small van. Thanks Alex
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It looks similar to Volkswagen Touran (No sliding door at the back and No 7 seats. When I am in Europe I drive 2005 2. 0 TDI model. After all of those years it looks like new an fuel efficiency is unbelievable. I can get 5 liters per 100kms with 4 people on board. Seats at the back can be removed so I can have small van. Thanks Alex
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Sabri
This reminds of Mazda 5. A great mini van that was discontinued in North America. The only flaw of Mazda 5 was the weak engine. Mazda refused to put 2. 5 engine sky active that they put on all their other cars except the Mazda 5. I believe had they done that it would have been a good seller for them.
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This reminds of Mazda 5. A great mini van that was discontinued in North America. The only flaw of Mazda 5 was the weak engine. Mazda refused to put 2. 5 engine sky active that they put on all their other cars except the Mazda 5. I believe had they done that it would have been a good seller for them.
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Pulkit
Very nice. Alex I agree with you. But it seems practical+sensible vehicles need more buyers to motivate manufacturers. Like Honda Jazz and Mazda 5 (Sharan actually reminds me of Mazda5) could not be sales trailblazers. Unsustainable+impractical vehicles (ICE or EV) outsell, unfortunately.
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Very nice. Alex I agree with you. But it seems practical+sensible vehicles need more buyers to motivate manufacturers. Like Honda Jazz and Mazda 5 (Sharan actually reminds me of Mazda5) could not be sales trailblazers. Unsustainable+impractical vehicles (ICE or EV) outsell, unfortunately.
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Audacious
When I was in England, I took an Uber ride in a Mercedes Metris that had a rear-facing second row. I really want to see more of those, and if not the car itself, then at least put more rear-facing or side-facing seats in vans and minivans. I think it would make them a lot more fun.
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When I was in England, I took an Uber ride in a Mercedes Metris that had a rear-facing second row. I really want to see more of those, and if not the car itself, then at least put more rear-facing or side-facing seats in vans and minivans. I think it would make them a lot more fun.
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Goetz
I'm showing my age, but my favourite small wagon was the VolksWagen Type 3, or SquareBack Sedan. I out-raced an AMC Hornet because mine was faster on curves and I drove one cross-country on tank roads at Fort Hood. They were versatile, sporty, and could handle off-road driving.
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I'm showing my age, but my favourite small wagon was the VolksWagen Type 3, or SquareBack Sedan. I out-raced an AMC Hornet because mine was faster on curves and I drove one cross-country on tank roads at Fort Hood. They were versatile, sporty, and could handle off-road driving.
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Jorge
it wouldn't sell. stop it. we have voted with our purchase choices. here in this audiences you would get the impression wagons would be popular if they offer it. no. no way. americans run away from stereotypes and the cars the old people in their lives used to have
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it wouldn't sell. stop it. we have voted with our purchase choices. here in this audiences you would get the impression wagons would be popular if they offer it. no. no way. americans run away from stereotypes and the cars the old people in their lives used to have
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SERENITY
This type of mini van & also some of the affordable, reliable, sporty wagons need to come back to N. America. A updated Mazda 5 probably would look really good & fun to driveby now. So very tired of the overkill of SUVs already.
Thanks for sharing Alex!
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This type of mini van & also some of the affordable, reliable, sporty wagons need to come back to N. America. A updated Mazda 5 probably would look really good & fun to driveby now. So very tired of the overkill of SUVs already.
Thanks for sharing Alex!
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watershed44
Alex on Autos
Why not do a review on the base model Lada Granta Classic! A worthwhile new car with a warranty for less than 8, 000 USD!
I would LOVE to be able to buy a new car without all the crap forced on us by US DOT and EPA regulations.
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Alex on Autos
Why not do a review on the base model Lada Granta Classic! A worthwhile new car with a warranty for less than 8, 000 USD!
I would LOVE to be able to buy a new car without all the crap forced on us by US DOT and EPA regulations.
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Enthusiast
Alex, the Sharan in that version has been out since 2010 and had a generation before. It had nothing to do with the Golf. It s build on the same platform as the Passat or Tiguan. Also existed as a Seat Alhambra or Ford Galaxie over its lifespan.
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Alex, the Sharan in that version has been out since 2010 and had a generation before. It had nothing to do with the Golf. It s build on the same platform as the Passat or Tiguan. Also existed as a Seat Alhambra or Ford Galaxie over its lifespan.
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Rodo
I doubt that it can handle the payload needed for an average 7 member family America. Just like our Spark was a 4 seater but a 5 seater in other markets or Prius V being a 7 seater in other markets but 5 seater in America.
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I doubt that it can handle the payload needed for an average 7 member family America. Just like our Spark was a 4 seater but a 5 seater in other markets or Prius V being a 7 seater in other markets but 5 seater in America.
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Edison
Minivans cost close to 50, 000 regularly now. With no transit van there is no cheap minivan options. The number of companies that would love this as a dodge caravan cargo version is huge - not everyone needs a sprinter.
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Minivans cost close to 50, 000 regularly now. With no transit van there is no cheap minivan options. The number of companies that would love this as a dodge caravan cargo version is huge - not everyone needs a sprinter.
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Kazuma
I had the original Mazda5. Very handsome and comfortable. Refined ride and handling with the only downside being lack of power. Everyone that rode in it couldn't believe how roomy it was!
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I had the original Mazda5. Very handsome and comfortable. Refined ride and handling with the only downside being lack of power. Everyone that rode in it couldn't believe how roomy it was!
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Emd=mc 2
Not cool enough for third life crisis suffering soccer moms who think they can still be the shizzle by taking out 84 month loans on Chevy Tahoes, Jeep Wrangler Rubies, and CPO BMW X5s.
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Not cool enough for third life crisis suffering soccer moms who think they can still be the shizzle by taking out 84 month loans on Chevy Tahoes, Jeep Wrangler Rubies, and CPO BMW X5s.
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vovcha01
US citizen who lives in Europe. It drives me a bit mad to see all of the practical choices available in Europe unavailable in the US. (This car, the Honda Fit/Jazz, and so on.
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US citizen who lives in Europe. It drives me a bit mad to see all of the practical choices available in Europe unavailable in the US. (This car, the Honda Fit/Jazz, and so on.
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