The Seat Alhambra is a complete VW Sharan clone – but that’s not a bad thing at all

SINGAPORE — It’s named after a Spanish palace and fortress, but that’s not the only reason you should expect big things from the Seat Alhambra. Especially if you’re a Volkswagen fan. Read on to find out why…

What’s a ‘seat’? Is it a kind of chair? 
Spanish automotive brand Seat (pronounced ‘say-at’) is actually not new to Singapore – it’s returned after a 13-year absence, when former distributor Comfort Delgro ceased its operations with the brand in 2003 (see our news story for the full skinny).

Spearheading the brand’s return is the Alhambra large multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), which new Seat dealer Vertex Euro Auto, says has attracted the most sales interest of its line-up thus far. The juggernaut in the living room here is Volkswagen, of course. Seat has been owned by the Volkswagen Group since 1996, and thus all of its modern cars run on the same platform and drivetrain technology as Volkswagen. The Alhambra is, in essence, a Volkswagen Sharan.

Wait, that story sounds familiar…
Yep, because Skoda had a similar tack. Skoda ceased sales here in 2013, although it did have a strong product portfolio. The Superb sedan, for example, outclassed the Passat but was simply too expensive to make inroads here. Thus the cautionary tale here is that for any Seat, or hypothetical Skoda, to do well here, the base requirements are that it needs to equal the VW product and be competitive on price.

But that’s a Sharan you’re showing!
It’s arguable whether the Alhambra is a Sharan or vice versa, but that’s a pointless chicken-egg type argument. Vertex says Seat’s appeal is based on sporty looks, tech and dynamic driving experience. In the Alhambra’s case, it proves there’s only so much you can do with a box on wheels: The two cars look exactly the same, aside from the badge and front grille. To be fair, other Seats don’t have this problem – the Leon hatch, for instance, looks more angular and sexy than a Golf.

So are there any actual differences?
Well read our pre-2014 Sharan 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine review before you go any further becaause the Alhambra has a similar engine, though now Euro VI compliant and a little more powerful. The Sharan now has a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, so it’s more powerful and quicker but also more thirsty: 220bhp and 350Nm of torque, with a quoted 7.3L/100km and 168g/km of CO2. 0-100km/h is done in 7.8 seconds with a 226km/h top speed.

In real-life driving terms, the Alhambra’s diesel engine is a peach. It’s quiet, delivers immediate and generous torque and punts the big MPV off the line with measured authority. Only drivers who demand a bit more oomph would require a turbo petrol, but logistically there are a few things to consider with the Alhambra’s diesel engine.*

*Seat says this engine is Dieselgate-scandal free and approved by the LTA for use here.

More road tax?
Yep. While you pay $1,964 in annual road tax compared to $1,194 for the Sharan, a high-mileage driver who does more than 18,000km average annual figure for Singaporean drivers would easily claw that back at the fuel pump thanks to cheaper diesel prices. You’ll also have to factor in a little more for AdBlue every 11,000km or so, like with Citroen’s BlueHDI diesel engines and be wary when driving in Malaysia as not all petrol stations sell diesel with the required Euro IV diesel quality.  Using sub-standard diesel fuel can result in fuel system clogging and expensive repair bills. So the Alhambra is, off the cuff, better for someone who does a lot of commuting here, while a Sharan would excel at Northbound holidays

How does it fare as an MPV?
Excellently. The modular interior is pretty much the same as the Sharan’s in that respect – excellent. The second row of seats are fully adjustable, have two tray tables, the seats can recline and have decent to-and-fro movement, and can also fold flat individually. The two outer seats have integrated child booster seats, while ISOFIX mounts mean you can fit three regular child seats if they’re narrow enough. There are four air-con vents in the back, two for each row, and a dedicated AC control in the second row.

If the second row occupants are willing to compromise a little, full-sized adults will fit in the pair of third-row seats, although like all seats of this kind, they tend to elevate your knees skyward. With the seats up, there’s a small amount of boot space you could conceivably cram a suitcase or two into.

You’ve just described a Sharan in detail…
Yes, but we’ve also described the Alhambra in detail. And get this: Between each car’s basic version, there’s nothing to split the two, even price. We drove the less expensive Style model, which retails at $165,500 with COE. Standard on this model are electric sliding doors and powered tailgate,  full, three-point seatbelts for all occupants, three zone air-con, keyless entry and a coloured touchscreen media system. A VW Sharan 2.0 TSI, with a similar equipment load, costs $166,400 with COE. It’s the upper spec ‘Style Plus’ model, at $175,500 with COE, that undercuts the VW Sharan ‘EQP’, again with both having a largely similar equipment load, although the VW has drive modes, auto parking and navigation on board.

So should I get a Shalhambra or an Aaran?
Erm, if you like the styling, drive and MPV-ness, get the *insert blank here*. But seriously, there’s nothing between them. The only reason to plump for either is branding. What we can say is that, with regards to the Alhambra, there’s no hugely convincing reason to get one, but neither is there any hugely convincing reason not to get one.

Seat Alhambra Style
Engine 1,968cc, 16V, inline 4, turbodiesel
Power 184bhp at 3500-4000rpm
Torque 380Nm at 1750-3000rpm
Gearbox 6-speed dual-clutch
Top Speed 213km/h
0-100km/h 8.9 seconds
Fuel efficiency 5.2L/100km
CO2 137g/km
Price $165,500 with COE
Availability Now

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