Why it won

When it comes to people carriers, size really does matter. These cars need to cope with a wide variety of tasks, from school runs to family holidays, and that's why the vast SEAT Alhambra takes the CarBuyer crown for the second year in a row.

With enough space for fully-grown adults in each of its seven-seats, very few rivals can match the Alhambra for space. But its van-like proportions alone are not enough to help it scoop the title. Excellent build quality, generous standard equipment (even entry-level cars feature three-zone climate control and parking sensors) and attractive pricing all put it at the head of the MPV pack.
 
Crucially, the flexible seats are all easy to fold away if you need to carry bigger items of luggage, and with both rear rows folded, there's an enormous amount of room thanks to the tall ceiling. There's even a flat floor, so sliding items in is easy.

The icing on the cake is the way the SEAT Alhambra drives. With comfortable suspension, strong, efficient diesel engines and well-weighted controls, the big MPV is more capable than its looks suggest. Best of all, it's cheaper than the identical VW Sharan, which is why it remains the best all-round MPV currently on sale.