Engines. The two gasoline (TSI) and three diesel (TDI) engines are four-cylinder, 16-valve engines feature turbocharging and direct fuel injection. The TSI engines deliver 110 kW / 150 PS and 162 kW / 220 PS (a gain of 20 PS) respectively, with the 150 PS version consuming, in combination with the standard manual transmission, 6.4 l/100 km (36.8 mpg US).

The TDI engines are available at three power levels: 85 kW / 115 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS (gain of 10 PS) and 135 kW / 184 PS (gain of 7 PS). The TDI versions delivering 115 and 150 PS consume, in combination with the six-speed manual gearbox, 5.0 l/100 km. All diesel engines are fitted with an SCR catalytic converter. Also included as standard is a Stop-Start system plus battery regeneration mode (BlueMotion Technology / BMT).

With the exception of the smallest diesel, all engines can be combined with an automatic six-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG), which now provides a coasting function (decoupling of the engine when lifting off the accelerator) for additional fuel-saving. The DSG transmission is included as standard with the top 220 PS engine. As an alternative, the 150 PS TDI engine is also available with 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

• 1.4 TSI BMT with output of 110 kW / 150 PS. The Sharan 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Technology develops peak power output of 110 kW / 150 PS from an engine displacement of 1,395 cc, available between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm. In the large Sharan the downsized engine consumes on average 6.4 l/100 km (148 g/km CO₂); with the optional six-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) it is 6.6 l/100 km (35.6 mpg US, 154 g/km CO₂).

  Compared to the identically powered previous model, consumption has been reduced by 11.1%. With the DSG transmission it is even as much as 13.2%. The 16-valve four-cylinder engine, which generates a high 250 N·m (184 lb-ft) torque that is continuously available from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm, accelerates the Sharan 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Technology to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds, regardless of the transmission system being used. Its top speed is 200 km/h (124 mph) (DSG: 198 km/h).

• 2.0 TSI BMT with output of 162 kW / 220 PS. The most dynamic of all Volkswagen MPVs is the Sharan 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Technology, delivering 162 kW / 220 PS. Compared to the previous model it has 15 kW / 20 PS more power and is at the same time 14.3% more fuel-efficient.

  On average the engine—combined as standard with a six-speed dual clutch gearbox—consumes 7.2 l/100 km (32.7 mpg US, equating to 167 g/km CO₂). The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder EA888 also powers the Golf GTI. The engine, which delivers 350 N·m (258 lb-ft) of torque, accelerates the MPV from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.8 seconds. The Volkswagen Sharan flagship has a top speed of 226 km/h (140 mph).

• 2.0 TDI BMT with 85 kW / 115 PS. With an average fuel consumption of 5.0 l/100 km (130 g/km CO₂), the 85 kW / 115 Sharan 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology is one of the most fuel-efficient models in its class. Compared to its predecessor, the 1,968 cc turbo diesel’s consumption has been reduced by 9.1%. Like all of the Sharan’s 2.0-liter TDIs, this engine too has two balancer shafts and thus runs very smoothly.

  It starts to develop its peak output at 3,500 rpm. Its maximum torque of 280 N·m (207 lb-ft) is available from a low 1,750 rpm (up to 3,000 rpm). The Sharan 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Technology comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The MPV’s top speed is 184 km/h and it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.6 seconds.

• 2.0 TDI BMT with 110 kW / 150 PS. At the second of three power output levels, the 1,968 cc TDI develops 110 kW / 150 PS (between 3,500 and 4,000 rpm). The engine supplies its maximum torque of 340 N·m (251 lb-ft) within a range of 1,750 to 3,000 rpm. The front-wheel-drive Sharan 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology has a top speed of 200 km/hand accelerates to 100 km/h in 10.3 seconds.

  Fuel consumption is 5.0 l/100 km (equating to 130 g/km CO₂)—9.1% lower than previous model, which had 10 PS less power. This Sharan can be ordered with a six-speed DSG as an option. In this case, it has a top speed of 198 km/h and average fuel consumption of 5.2 l/100 km (45.2 mpg US, CO₂ emission: 136 g/km).

• 2.0 TDI BMT 4MOTION with 110 kW / 150 PS. The 150-PS Sharan 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology is one of the few MPVs that can be ordered with permanent all-wheel drive—the 4MOTION version. With all-wheel drive, the maximum trailer weight for a 12% incline increases from 2,200 to 2,400 kg (braked). The all-wheel drive Sharan comes as standard with manual transmission. Here too, a top speed of 198 km/h (123 mph) is accompanied by a low average fuel consumption of 5.6 l/100 km (42 mpg US, equating to 146 g/km CO₂). The all-wheel-drive version's fuel consumption has been reduced by 6.7%.

• 2.0 TDI BMT with 135 kW / 184 PS. The Sharan’s third 2.0 TDI develops 135 kW / 184 PS (at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm), 7 PS more than the now discontinued model. The four-cylinder turbocharged engine delivers its superior 380 N·m (280 lb-ft) of maximum torque to the six-speed manual or dual clutch gearbox from a very low 1,750 rpm. This level remains constant up to 3,000 rpm.

  Volkswagen was able to reduce fuel consumption by 8.6% for the manual version and by 10.2% for the DSG. In this power class, the 215 km/h Sharan 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology (DSG: 213 km/h) consumes 5.3 l/100 km (44.4 mpg US) in both gearbox versions; that equates to CO₂ emissions of 138 g/km. In the most powerful TDI version, the Sharan reaches 100 km/h in just 8.9 seconds.

SCR catalytic converter. All Sharan TDIs are fitted with an oxidation catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter complete with SCR system (Selective Catalytic Reduction). Using a specially coated diesel particulate filter (the actual SCR catalytic converter), the SCR system converts the nitrogen oxides (NO_x) in the exhaust gas into nitrogen (N₂) and water (H₂O ). This conversion is done using synthetically produced AdBlue, which is stored in a 17-liter tank and in the Sharan only has to be topped up every 10,000 kilometers. Any Sharan TDI driver can top up the AdBlue easily themselves, with access to the separate tank via the luggage compartment. AdBlue is available from Volkswagen workshops and at filling stations.

New driver assistance systems. Automatic Post-Collision Braking System is included as standard. The optional Front Assist traffic monitoring system alerts the driver if the distance to the vehicle ahead is too short and applies the brakes as necessary. Meanwhile, the City Emergency Braking function integrated within the system is active at speeds of up to 30 km/h (18.6 mph) and automatically initiates emergency braking in order to avoid a collision or to minimize its intensity.

For the first time, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system is also available on the Sharan. The electronic parking brake system now features an Auto Hold function, which stops the vehicle rolling back when stationary or driving off.

Other new optional features include the third generation Park Assist system (assisted maneuvering in and out of parking spaces) and the Blind Spot Monitor (alerts drivers to the presence of vehicles in the blind spot when changing lanes), which also includes Rear Traffic Alert, a system that warns of any traffic coming across the vehicle's path when reversing out of a parking space.

Second generation modular infotainment matrix. The completely updated array of touchscreen infotainment modules encompasses the standard 5-inch 'Composition Color' system and the 6.5-inch systems called ‘Composition Media’ and ‘Discover Media’ (with navigation). The Sharan also offers a high degree of connectivity, as it can for the first time be equipped with the ‘App-Connect’ and ‘Guide & Inform’ Car-Net functions.

‘App-Connect’ is based on the smartphone interfaces ‘MirrorLink’, ‘Android Auto’ (Google) and ‘CarPlay’ (Apple), via which all sorts of different apps can be fed into the infotainment system. Volkswagen ‘Guide & Inform’ online services also provide information such as up-to-date traffic alerts and details of free spaces in nearby car parks and filling stations with low fuel prices. The ‘Discover Media’ infotainment system can also be linked to ‘Media Control’: via this new app users are able to use Wi-Fi and a tablet to access functions of the on-board system, such as navigation or the media player.

The model range. The Sharan is available with 5, 6 or 7 seats and always with two sliding doors.