ON THE ROAD: THE name might be derived from the Persian for the 'carrier of kings', but for me it meant a means of transporting three unruly kids and a dog.

The Sharan, Volkswagen's seven-seater people carrier, is big in almost every area and it left a suitably big impression on me.

Aesthetically, it's as pretty as it needs to be - and by that I mean not very. But what it lacks in looks, the Sharan more than makes up for in sheer practicality.

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Its TSI and TDI engines have been revised, with Volkswagen saying they are more than 14 per cent more efficient than their predecessors.

Our SCR badged test car was relatively sprightly given its size, nought to 62mph taking 8.9 seconds, with a top speed of more than 130mph.

Linked to a six-speed DSG gearbox, it also came with flappy paddles, though I couldn't really understand why.

When the inclination to use them did take over, it just encouraged me to push the Sharan more than was perhaps sensible and its limitations became apparent. What I am saying is don't drop the gears as you head into a bend like you might in something sleeker - you're likely to come out of it on your side.

No, the Sharan is far better driven in a more sedate manner. In sensible hands it handles well, with little or no problems over the bumps. In town, it belies its girth, the responsive steering giving the driver confidence to negotiate parked cars and not worry you're going to end up clipping something. In addition, it also has a tight turning circle meaning otherwise awkward manoeuvres are dealt with with a minimum of fuss.

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ON THE INSIDE: GETTING into our Sharan was a drawn out affair. It's no fault of VW, it's the kids or at least my kids. Before we were allowed to engage the engine, we had to go through a lengthy process of opening and closing the electrically operated sliding doors - the electric part is a £625 option. Open, close, open, close. Thankfully, I discovered the lock on the driver's door before it drove me half mad.

I appreciate the attraction though. They are a key factor in what made this Sharan stand out and they serve their purpose too, with or without the electric.

Anyone with young kids will appreciate what a chore it can be trying to get them into their seats in the back. Well the Sharan goes some way to making life that little bit easier.

Though this is a big car, you don't feel like you're driving an artic, like some vehicles of its ilk can make you feel. The driver's position is excellent and vision is good on the whole. The seats are supportive and you don't have to reach far to get to what you need.

Being a VW, the interior has an upmarket feel to it without being overly inventive.

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WHAT DO YOU GET: STANDARD features on our SEL car included electronic child locks for rear door and rear electric windows, stop-start engine button, multifunction computer, electronic parking brake, parking sensors, front and rear, 3Zone electronic air conditioning with automatic air circulation, easy folding seating system for rear seats, Bluetooth, 6.5ins touchscreen with navigation, DAB digital radio, SMS compatibility, multi device interface, 17 ins alloys, Halogen headlights, chrome-plated roof rails, front fog lights, panoramic sunroof, front sports seats - heated, leather trimmed three-spoke multi-function steering wheel and and decorative inserts in dash, centre console and front doors.

In addition, options included the sliding doors, rear view camera, keyless entry, dynamic chassis control with sport, comfort and normal settings and electric release towbar.

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT: THE Sharan has 2,430 litres of luggage space with the third row of seats down. Obviously, having them in place seriously impinges on what you can carry. The seats fold down to make an almost flat expanded load area. In addition, the second row also slide and fold independently of each other, increasing the variety and size of load you can place onboard. Operation is easy and you don't need to use too much in the way of elbow grease.

In addition, there are 33, yes 33, storage bins. I failed to find them all, but there are some plenty inventive locations.

RUNNING COSTS: ON the combined cycle you should get north of 53mpg. CO2 emissions come in at 139g/km. You get a three year/60,000 mile warranty, three years paint and 12 years body protection as well as one year's worth of Volkswagen Assistance.

VERDICT: GONE are the days when I hankered after sporty two seaters. These days, this is the kind of car that gets my juices flowing.

ALTERNATIVES: FORD Galaxy, SEAT Alhambra