The turns of the story are surprising. Launched in 1995, the twins Volkswagen Sharan and Ford Galaxy were then charged to replicate in late pioneer of the genre, the Renault Espace. New items on the segment, these models are the ultimate representatives today. Destabilized by battering SUV with seven seats, large minivans have in fact now almost disappeared . Even the Renault Espace lost volume to gain ground clearance and look.
If they have nothing to do today technically, the Volkswagen Sharan and Ford Galaxy does have no less a nearby philosophy. The both of them adopt cubic lines, favor the habitability . If the German, very rational, almost approaching the utility world, the American attempts to add a touch of glamor and luxury to its features, with touches of chrome and a way Aston Martin grille inherited from his little brother S-Max, quite sexy. Completely renewed this year, it retains the charm of novelty while the Sharan has recieved a very light facelift this year regarding internal design of the headlights.
The same inside. In Volkswagen , the large MPV is a model like the others. As such, it receives a interior furnishings to the impeccable finish but without relief . Everything is black and functional, soulless. At least ergonomics not she suffers criticism. Conversely, it is clear that Galaxy is considered a high-end Ford . The indoor environment is taken from the S-Max, which guarantees a richer finish than the Sharan … And even as the Mondeo, yet the most registered builder’s model to the Oval. That remains against pestera orders sometimes against-intuitive and exceeded infotainment system. What fly has stung Ford to the suspension tuning is found hidden under controlled three submenus layers in the onboard computer? It is impossible to quickly go to the Comfort mode first with a retarder, for example, when you can just press a button on the Sharan. This is just one example among many others.
Sept proper seats, a rarity
The main factor in buying these two minivans remains their ability to seats seven passengers in decent comfort . At present, no SUV comparable tariff can not say the same. As for Ford S-Max and Renault Espace (see our comparative Renault Espace against Ford S-Max), they pay tribute to the style by a space more limited in the third row. Our two veterans are the only ones to offer a correct habitability for two passengers from the bottom, with a fairly easy access through intelligent kinematics of middle seats. If the Galaxy loses a few feathers at ease in the legs, due to a misshapen floor, it catches up with a width greater than the elbows and a clearance slightly more generous roof. Still, neither one nor the other are able to offer exceptional comfort armrests of the seats in the Renault Grand Espace deceased, more easily accessible by the boot.
If the Galaxy and Sharan decided to sacrifice a little welcoming bottom of passengers is to provide easier scalability. In both cases, folding seats fold away into the floor . It’s a little harder on Volkswagen, which uses a fairly complex kinematics. Also, the Ford offers an optional electrical control friendly. But because of a total length less interior (dashboard is its rearmost), the American imposed to back up the second row seats before the cast off. A useless precaution German, which hosts its ADDITION rear passengers with more space and postural comfort. The same is true of the maximum volume of trunk above the Sharan, with 2,430 liters against 2339 liters. Finally, we know that making luggage cover Galaxy seven-seater configuration, while it is still possible to install one of its competitor
Sharan. Due to the end
Technically, these two competitors are not partridges of the year. The Sharan is indeed based on platform of the old Passat. However, it has this year received the last dated engines at Volkswagen, EA288 of families for diesel and gasoline for EA211. Facing him, the Ford Galaxy boasts a new platform based on CD4, which is actually an evolution of the EUCD basis of the old generation, revised to accommodate AWD . Under the hood, it is always the same blocks officiating, starting with diesel designed in partnership with PSA.
It is sometimes said that it is in the old pots that it makes perfect. The Sharan manages indeed to offer healthy and balanced road behavior while curbing very body movements correctly. The consequent mass 1841 kg is pretty gummed surprisingly, much better than on equivalent number of template SUV. Our test model was equipped with an optional controlled damping suspension, which distills a correct comfort despite the sensitive springs firmly. However, blame the front seats too flat. Moreover, this MPV is characterized by a rather honorable handling for a car of 4.85 meters long.
The four-cylinder Diesel 2.0 TDI, 184 hp strong, stands out for its its liveliness. Never before penalty for driving the Sharan. Coupled with the double-clutch gearbox and six-speed DSG, it forms a pleasant whole. The management, however, lacks a little reactivity drive mode while in contrast, it retains the reports involved a little too long in Sport mode. The freewheel function to decrease the consumption on hilly routes. We must build on average about 7.8 l / 100 km
Galaxy. Comfort worthy of a luxury car
If the Galaxy conceded ground to its competitor on the livability plan and modularity, it makes up easily on the road. Not that the German demerit. But the American outperforms by benefits above average. This is not so much in terms of behavior, perfectly balanced but certainly not higher than that of Sharan, the Galaxy shows off his talent. This is seduced by its comfort it. The optional suspension damper regulation provides wadded filtering worthy of a higher segment sedans , particularly in comfort mode. Without impairing the maintenance fund on bumpy road. The compromise still seems better than the S-Max, already a reference in the category.
Moreover, this large MPV is surprisingly monastic silence. Aerodynamic Noise or from motor are totally destroyed. Hardly at speeds above 170 km / h as you begin to perceive a few whistles. Impressive ! Add to that the front seats very comfortable and perfectly calibrated dual clutch transmission (DSG better than its competitor) and you have a remarkable cocktail, than is usually found only in high-end models, much higher rates. Only the 2.0 TDCI 180 hp a little disappointing with its performance , down compared to that of its competitor. The consumption is equivalent on both models, although Ford will claim a few more pints of diesel every 100 kilometers on hilly course, without free-wheel depending on the gearbox. Finally, maneuverability is not strong Galaxy, more embarrassed by its sizes that limit the visibility of 3/4 before.
A Time for assessment, it is difficult to separate the two competitors. The Galaxy (€ 44,300 Titanium finish) a little more expensive than the Sharan (€ 43,670) impresses with its amazing propensity to swallow kilometers. Still, it welcomes a little less rear passengers, with a little less legroom and less comfortable seats. To each making a choice, depending on whether one prefers his own comfort or that of his family.
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