OUR PICK OF THE RANGE California Coast 204hp DSG 4Motion
OUR PICK OF THE RANGE Sharan Comfortline 2.0 TDI manual
Volkswagen California Volkswagen Sharan
Sliding doors: once you’ve experienced them in a car, as parents of young children, you’ll never want to do without them ever again. That’s not the only reason to go for the Volkswagen Sharan, but it certainly is one of its strong selling points, in a seven-seat MPV market that is slowly but surely being decimated as buyers move away from people carriers to SUVs instead. This generation Sharan has been around for a while now, but the core recipe remains appealing, including a high-quality and versatile interior and good comfort on the road. It is diffi cult, however, to justify its premium over the almost identical SEAT Alhambra.
Volkswagen Arteon
Cutting a distinctly more stylish silhouette than the Passat, the Volkswagen Arteon is the eff ective replacement for the old CC, but it has moved even further upmarket. Pitched as an alternative to the likes of the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, the Arteon certainly rivals them on looks, providing you choose the more expensive R-Line model. With business users being the primary target, Volkswagen off ers a range of diesel engines starting with a 150hp 2.0 TDI, though that is the least refi ned model. To fully appreciate the Arteon’s handling, choose the 190- or 240hp model, the latter coming with all-wheel drive. The Arteon is also available with an array of driver assistance and connected features, which should make it a popular choice for tech fans.
OUR PICK OF THE RANGE Amarok V6 Comfortline 204hp Auto
OUR PICK OF THE RANGE Arteon R-Line 2.0 TDI DSG 190
Only Volkswagen and Mercedes make their own factory-produced campervans and Volkswagen has been perfecting the California for a few generations now. A revised ‘T6’ model was launched in 2017 and, naturally, it’s more impressive than ever. The major bonus of the California over a traditional campervan is that it’s no larger in any dimension than a regular Transporter van, making it a cinch to drive no matter the road size. It’ll even fi t in most multi-storey car parks. And yet, it can comfortably accommodate four adults and has all manner of add-ons to make road trips more comfortable. Not cheap, but worth every cent.
OUR PICK OF THE RANGE Touran Comfortline 2.0 TDI DSG
Volkswagen Amarok
Volkswagen has had a foothold in the pick-up truck market for some years with its Amarok. A recent update saw Volkswagen confi rm its position at the premium end of the segment, while the double-cab truck now features a 3.0-litre diesel V6 engine that comes in three power outputs: 163-, 204- or 224hp. The eight-speed automatic transmission includes an optimised fi rst gear specifi cally to benefi t pulling off when towing a load, and the Amarok drives well, even though it uses leaf springs on the rear suspension. Volkswagen does off er heavy duty springs that increase the payload capacity to 985kg. The cabin is roomy and has a quality fi nish that is also refl ected in the price.
Volkswagen Touran
Needing an MPV doesn’t mean you have to sacrifi ce driving comfort, or even style. The Volkswagen Touran packs the versatility of up to seven seats into a design that still looks smart, and it drives with exceptional levels of refi nement for the class. Whether you choose the fi ve- or seven-seat versions, everyone gets their own individual seat, and these can be folded to suit whatever confi guration is needed. The boot is a massive 743 litres (in fi ve-seat form) and grows to a van-like 1,980 litres with the rear seats folded. A high roof adds to the spacious feeling inside and large windows give passengers a god view out. Up front you can choose from the latest large touchscreen systems with all the connectivity you could ask for. Only one petrol engine is available, a 1.2-litre TSI, but with 110hp it is fi ne for most drivers, although if you plan on making frequent trips with a full load of passengers and luggage, then the 2.0-litre TDI is a better choice.
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