Volkswagen Sharan review

There’s a cheaper way of getting into the Sharan – it’s called the Seat Alhambra. The starting point here is the 148bhp 1.4 TSI petrol, which costs £27,355 in basic S form. Hmm. If you're set on a TDI, the base sticker is £28,130 for the weedy 114bhp 2.0-litre, and if you want the heftier 148bhp version (and you do, diesel-wise), then you'll get no change whatsoever from £29,000. And this is all on basic S trim, remember, which does without alloy wheels or cruise control. Really, you'll want an SE, for which prices start at £29,540. Starting to see why we'd lean towards the Alhambra as a value bet now?

Bluetooth is standard on all models, and as of the 2016 facelift, which added natty LED tail lights, there's also an automatic post-crash brake function which holds the car steady in the event of a collision to mitigate the effects of further impacts. Adaptive cruise control and anti-crash braking need a higher spec, however.

Sharans are subject to VW's usual 36 month/60k mile warranty, and the oily bits are all tried and tested in most recent VWs, so servicing will be a doddle. Obviously the resale value of the diesels is under the kosh at the moment, but on the up side the Sharan, now post facelift and hardly VW's most fashionable model, ought to be subject to some dealer arm-twisting, so don't be afraid to haggle. Or, threaten to walk over to Seat's welcoming arms next door...