Revised Volkswagen Sharan revealed

The Volkswagen Sharan has undergone a mild mid-life facelift, four years after the second-generation model first appeared in UK showrooms.

The reworked MPV gains a series of subtle exterior styling tweaks together with new connectivity options and more economical four-cylinder engines.

Visually there is very little to differentiate the facelifted Sharan from earlier models. The only obvious changes are new LED tail-lights and a new range of standard 16-inch alloy wheels. Buyers can also choose between two new metallic exterior colours in either blue or red hues.

Inside, there is a lightly updated cabin featuring a new steering wheel, an altered instrument display with coloured graphics, optional 12-way adjustable seats with a massaging function and the latest range of Volkswagen infotainment options, including support for Apple’s CarPlay as well as Google’s Android Auto and Mirror Link systems.

Bringing the Sharan in line with other recent new Volkswagen models, it also receives a new range of infotainment systems with either a 5.0 or 6.5in colour touchscreen.

Under the bonnet, Volkswagen has provided the facelifted Sharan with a range of updated turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, all boasting improvements in economy and emissions to provide them with Euro 6 compliance.

Included is the latest version of the German car maker’s 1.4-litre petrol unit, which develops the same 148bhp as in the existing Sharan, as well as a more powerful version of the 2.0-litre petrol engine with an extra 20bhp at 217bhp.

The 2.0-litre diesel continues to be offered in 113bhp and 177bhp forms, but the earlier 138bhp version has been given a 10bhp bump in reserves to take it up to 148bhp.

All engines come with a standard six-speed manual gearbox, except for the top-of-the-line 2.0-litre petrol unit, which is offered as standard with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and comes as an option on all others. Buyers can also specify Volkswagen’s electro-mechanical multi-plate clutch 4Motion four-wheel drive system in combination with the strongest of the three 2.0-litre diesels.  

Volkswagen has provided the facelifted Sharan with a range of new safety features. Included as standard is a so-called 'multi collision brake' that is designed to provide full braking force in the case of a collision to lessen the chances of the car careering to the other side of the road and subsequently cause a secondary collision. The electronic park brake has also been upgraded with a standard hill hold function.

Among the options are a blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistant, various parking functions and an emergency braking system which warns the driver of an impending collision and is capable of providing full braking force at speeds under 30km/h (18mph) for autonomous collision avoidance in urban driving.