Volkswagen Sharan is a seven-seater minivan that was produced by the German Volkswagen Group and built at the AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal, with a front-wheel-drive version across two generations, from 1995 to 2022.
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The resulting Volkswagen Sharan concept was shown at the 1994 Paris Auto Show, and production started in May 1995.
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The name Volkswagen Sharan was said to be derived from the Persian word 'Shahran' meaning "Carrier of Kings".
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However, according to Volkswagen Sharan, it is a made-up word, like 'Touran'.
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Volkswagen Group subsequently rebadged the Sharan and sold it as the SEAT Alhambra alongside the Sharan.
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The Volkswagen Sharan was on sale from 1995 to 2010, accompanied with facelifts in 2000 and 2004.
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Originally, this was due to an agreement between Ford and Volkswagen Sharan, leaving the market free from competition for Ford's Aerostar minivan.
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Original Volkswagen Sharan was launched in August 1995, and was available with five engine choices:.
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Volkswagen Sharan received a Euro NCAP three star safety rating when it was tested in 1999.
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Second generation Sharan, based on the Volkswagen Passat, was launched at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and a month later, the second generation of its sibling model, the SEAT Alhambra, was officially announced.
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In March 2020, Volkswagen ceased production of the Sharan MPV for the Chinese market in favor of the brand new model, China-only Volkswagen Viloran.
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