Volkswagen - Sharan

The bold VW grille badge says it all: style, quality, efficiency, durability, refinement, prestige. And Sharan seems to have it all, packaged in an elegant, family-friendly MPV body with generous space for five plus luggage. But it's up for replacement in 2005, so is it worth the premium over Galaxy or Alhambra?
Plus points are many: a car-like driving experience, an efficiently planned interior (though there's little luggage space in seven-seater mode), low noise levels, very little body roll, a great driving position, and a wide choice of engines and equipment levels. Only real minuses are the passenger/load space compromise (where it's hardly alone) and a firm ride on some surfaces.
Best engines are the TDi turbodiesels of 115 and 130bhp, which give up to 45mpg, accelerate eagerly and cruise easily. The petrol 1.8T is far quicker than the dull 2.0, while the brisk 2.8 V6 is just too thirsty.