Review
/5
- Pros:
- Good to drive
- Hugely practical
- Impressive equipment list
- Cons:
- Not as cheap as mini MPV rivals
- Badge lacks premium appeal of Volkswagen
- Third row seats lack legroom
pictured:
SEAT Alhambra MPV 2011 front quarter doors open
reviewed by Carbuyer
"Seven-seat practicality and a solid line-up of Volkswagen-sourced engines make the Alhambra a good all-rounder for large families."
At a glance
- The greenest
- S 2.0 TDI CR Ecomotive 115 5dr
£24,015 - The cheapest
- S 1.4 TSI 5dr
£23,525 - The fastest
- SE Lux 2.0 TDI CR 170 5dr
£31,315 - Top of the range
- SE Lux 2.0 TDi CR DSG-auto 170 5dr
£32,585
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In simple terms, the new SEAT Alhambra is a Volkswagen Sharan, with a back to basics interior and unique styling. The SEAT Alhambra offers all the virtues of the more expensive Volkswagen for less money - which is why our judges named it Best Large MPV in our 2011 Car of the Year awards. That means you get an incredibly practical seven-seat MPV with a good range of engines and impressive on road dynamics. It may be the cheaper cousin of the VW Sharan, but that doesn’t mean it's the cheapest MPV out there. Some older rivals, like the Vauxhall Zafira cost less, but none of these cars offer the Alhambra's comfort, practicality or economy.
Drive
Plenty of grip and confidence inspiring steering
If you’re looking for a sporty MPV, then the Alhambra is a good choice. In fact, only a Ford S-MAX feels so at home on twisting back roads. That's partly down to the well-weighted steering and stiff suspension, which provides the big SEAT with plenty of grip in the corners. The engine offering the best mix of performance and efficiency is the 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel which sprints from 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds, but those looking for a bit more speed should go for the 168bhp engine.
Comfort
Still good for long journeys, despite being a bit stiffer than other MPVs
The problem with diesel engines is that they are often noisy. The Alhambra's diesel engines, however, are incredibly quiet and smooth, allowing you to reap the benefits of their increased fuel economy without suffering from engine noise in the cabin. The ride is slightly stiffer than some other MPVs but it's actually very comfortable and will soak up lumps and bumps in the road easily. The steering is quite heavy, but it's a matter of preference as to whether that's a good thing or not.
Reliability
Reliable Volkswagen sourced engines and an expected five-star crash rating
With tried and tested VW Group engines under the bonnet, there should be very few issues with the SEAT Alhambra. In any case, all buyers are offered a three year/ 60,000 mile warranty. It's safe too, with a driver's knee airbag as standard – a first for the brand in the UK. Expect to see a five out of five rating for the Alhambra when it's crash tested by Euro NCAP.
Practicality
Spacious cabin and optional automatic sliding doors and boot
The Alhambra is the widest MPV on the road and that also gives it one of the most spacious cabins too. It has seven seats, of which the second and third rows can be folded completely flat. In some higher-spec models even the passenger seat can be folded flat to allow the SEAT to carry loads up to 2.95m long. With the rearmost seats folded there's 1,167 litres of space on offer, and with the second row folded as well there's 2,297 litres. As far as transporting passengers is concerned, the third row is only really suitable for carrying children. The good news is the boot and rear sliding doors can be electrified as an option, which makes access incredibly easy.
Value for money
Lengthy standard equipment list for a good value price
The Alhambra is available in ‘S’, ‘SE’ and ‘SE Lux’ specifications, but if you’re looking to buy on a budget the entry-level model won’t disappoint you. Buyers get 16-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, Bluetooth and hill-hold assist as standard– along with the basics like all-round electric windows and central locking. Splash out on an ‘SE Lux’ model and you get leather upholstery, sat-nav and heated seats thrown in. You will have to pay the price though.
Running costs
Efficient engines make the Alhambra cheap to run
All of the diesels in the Alhambra range are fitted with stop/start and get SEAT's Ecomotive badge, meaning they’re extremely efficient and also cheap to run. Only the 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel gets the ‘E Ecomotive’ badge which means its one of SEAT's most fuel-efficient models. This variant is capable of returning a combined economy figure of 50.4mpg and boasts CO2 emissions of 146g/km. That means a road tax bill of £125. Even the more powerful 168bhp diesel is cheap to run, posting figures of 48.7mpg and 152g/km of CO2. The 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine is the most expensive to run, but is cheaper to buy in the first place.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
