Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

SEAT Alhambra MPV (2010-2020) - Reliability & safety

The SEAT Alhambra’s safety rating is reasonable, and the brand's customers are generally happy

Carbuyer Rating

3.4 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.9 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Reliability & safety Rating

2.5 out of 5

SEAT is part of the Volkswagen Group and the Alhambra is based on the Volkswagen Sharan, so it’s built from tried and tested parts and engines that have proven reliable. It also comes with lots of standard safety equipment and initially came with a five-star Euro NCAP rating. This was revised down to four stars in 2019, reflecting the fact that the crash test is now much more stringent than it was when the Alhambra was first tested in 2010.

SEAT Alhambra reliability

SEAT put in a middling performance in our Driver Power 2019 customer satisfaction survey, coming 14th out of 30 manufacturers – a small improvement on the previous year.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Alhambra itself is mechanically identical to the Volkswagen Sharan and is built in the same factory. So all the major components and engines are well proven, while production standards are very high. The Alhambra also comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty and you have the option to extend this for a fee.

Safety

Safety is a big factor when you’re choosing a family car and the Alhambra originally scored the maximum five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. However, this was back in 2010 and the tests have been made tougher several times since then; when the mechanically identical Sharan was retested in 2019, its score was revised to four stars, despite a rear door detaching in the side pole impact test. Overall, in 2019 the Sharan and Alhambra scored 89% for adult protection, 78% for child protection, 59% for pedestrian protection and 62% for on-board safety features, so they’re still safe cars.

All cars come with a full complement of airbags – including a driver’s knee airbag – as well as electronic stability control and ISOFIX mounting points for child seats. The front passenger airbag can also be disabled to allow the fitting of a rear-facing child seat in the front.

Even the most basic model gets front and rear parking sensors, which is handy for such a big car. All models feature a tiredness recognition system, which can work out if you've become fatigued and recommends that you take a break. it's disappointing, however, that autonomous emergency braking isn't available.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
28 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Skoda Karoq review – it ticks all the family SUV boxes
Skoda Karoq SportLine
In-depth reviews
26 Mar 2024

Skoda Karoq review – it ticks all the family SUV boxes

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
best electric cars
Best cars
28 Mar 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024