Review
FORD has had its 2.3-litre petrol engine in the Galaxy line up for some time now, plugging the gap between the 115bhp 2.0-litre and 174bhp 2.8 V6 petrol models, but it's taken Volkswagen longer to fill the same space in the Sharan range. Now, however, a fifth engine option joins the Sharan range - the 1.8-litre five-valve turbo-charged unit first seen in the Audi A4: with 150bhp, it's 5bhp more powerful than the Galaxy 2.3.
Two versions are available, the Sport - tested here - at ú21,770 on-the-road, and the luxury line Carat at ú22,545. At ú21,770, the Sport is ú425 more than the Galaxy 2.3 Ghia X and ú950 more than the identically engined Seat Alhambra 1.8T. At that price it sits at the top of our list of chosen rivals which includes the Chrysler Voyager 2.0 LE (ú21,045). There is, however, a 2.3-litre Si version of the Galaxy, priced at just ú19,495 with sports trim but ultimately less kit than the Sport.
With more than 50% of Sharan sales accounted for by the super-frugal TDi 110bhp, the 1.8T is regarded as a niche product, but its economy significantly betters the 2.8 VR6 with performance that only just undercuts it.
