MORE than £1,130 worth of extra equipment has been added to the new-look Volkswagen Sharan, the mid-sized people carrier, yet prices of the cars have been increased by less than a tenner, £7 in fact.

As well as getting a back-end face-lift, new owners take advantage of side indicators now integrated in the door mirrors (the same as on the Touareg, Phaeton, revised Passat, New Beetle and new Golf), a curtain airbag system, 16in alloy wheels and front and rear parking sensors as standard. The Sharan is the only multi-purpose vehicle in its segment to have front and rear parking distance control as standard, a feature that should be greatly appreciated in a family vehicle of this type. It not only helps prevent minor car park knocks, but also helps make light work of manoeuvring in tight spaces.

The Sharan was already one of the more generously-equipped models in its class, with anti-lock brakes, seven seats, air conditioning, powered mirrors and front windows, driver's and front passenger's airbags with front seat side airbags, and a security alarm with central locking.

Continuing the more-for-your-money theme, the SE model offers a number of features which are not normally found on other entry-level models in this class, such as integrated child seats and a six-speed gearbox.

Volkswagen also offers one of the broadest range of engines for people carriers, as well as the rare option of four-wheel drive, with its "intelligent" 4MOTION system. Two economical injector diesels are available, a 1.9-litre TDI with power outputs of 115PS and 130PS; plus three petrols, a 2.0-litre 115PS, 1.8-litre T with 150PS and the range-topping 2.8-litre V6 with 204PS.

Prices start at £18,650 for the petrol-powered SE 2.0-litre 115PS fitted with a six-speed gearshift, rising to £27,00 for the 4MOTION model. There is a four-speed automatic for £19,670, while the cheapest model with five-speed tiptronic clutchless transmission is the £21,335 SE 1.8-litre T 150PS. Cheapest diesel is the £19,960 1.9-litre 115PS with six-speed manual transmission.

Updated: 08:53 Friday, February 06, 2004