When Ford decided that it would build its own second generation Galaxy instead of co-producing with the Wolfsburg company, then VW had some major strategic rethinking to do. Working out, among other things, whether it was viable to go for a brand new car which would only share the development costs with its in-house sibling SEAT's Alhambra.
Well, they did go ahead, of course. And the result is elegant as well as practical.
Now, don't expect the new Sharan to be sexy, exotic, or stylistically advanced. That's not how Volkswagen works. Evolution in all things is the deal. And this evolution from the previous large MPV is a mix of new bodywork and improved detail.
The real elegance is in the profile view. Along with a long bonnet and very steep rake to the windscreen, the aesthetics of the metal and glass ratio are quite a golden mean in unibox design. And the sheet metal expanse from the forward-placed handle of the rear passenger door adds a sense of length, as does the short rear overhang. Altogether, in style terms, it is commendably 'clean'.
From the front there's no mistaking the brand. Even if the ubiquitous VW badge wasn't there, the strong horizontality of the grille design links the Sharan to all the current Volkswagen models, from Polo through Golf to Passat and all the more niche cars too.
Inside, there's also more elegance, although not enough extra to stop a certain level of disappointment that they didn't push out the boat a little.
Sure, the quality is there. And the fit and finish of the various trims and components is admirably sound. But the inside of a car is where an owner has to live for many years while on the road, and a bit of bravery might have made it a more interesting place. Maybe I'm being a bit unfair. There's a prominent centre stack which provides a good presence to the dashboard. And the detail strip across the dash, and around such elements as the air vents, give a sense of class.
For all occupants the new Sharan is a good place to be. A commanding view for the driver, plenty of self-space for everyone else. Especially those in the two rows of rear seats. This is a full-sized 7-seater and the rear sliding doors make access easy to all of them.
The review car had the current version of VW's tried and trusted 140hp diesel 2.0. It seems they continue to refine it, long-serving though it be, and it works smoothly through a nifty 6-speed manual box, providing a very seamless progression on the road.
Doing it smartly too. The 100km/h comes up in a creditable 10.9 seconds, a good push for a large car. You can have a 170hp engine if you wish, and both units can be specified with VW's excellent double clutch automated gearbox.
There is a myriad of standard and option features, some of which come as part of the upper specification grades, others in optional packs. High-end radios, sat-navs, rear parking cameras and automatic parking assist systems are among them. ESP is standard and the comprehensive airbag set includes one to protect the driver's knees. And, of course, being an MPV, there's much attention to giving lots of storage solutions throughout the car.
The Sharan is a very good drive. Independent suspension and that really good power train combine to make the car a very comfortable environment on a long run, and adaptable enough to be a surprisingly nippy vehicle in the city. They have used plenty of soundproofing to make it a relaxing cabin.
Although the market for large MPVs has shortened in recent years, in some measure because of the greater flexibility of compact versions and SUV/crossovers competing in some of the same space, there's still a place for them in many a family's life cycle.
It is a competitive space to sell into. But new Sharan is well positioned to make the most of its very strong values and keep a respectable corps of loyal customers.
Prices from €41,990. The review version is €44,725. A BlueMotion vehicle, it comes in at tax band C in Ireland.
