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In-depth Reviews

SEAT Alhambra owner reviews

“The SEAT Alhambra is a huge MPV with plenty of room for seven seats. It’s also good value and surprisingly fun to drive”

by Carbuyer team
14 Apr 2020
Carbuyer Rating

3.4 out of 5

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Owners Rating

3.8 out of 5

73%of people would recommend this car to a friend.

Owner Rating

  • 6reviews
  • 2reviews
  • 1reviews
  • 2reviews
  • 4reviews

Common Problems

  • Other (2 cases)
  • Brakes, Electrics, Suspension (1 cases)
  • Brakes, Electrics, Gearbox / clutch (1 cases)
  • Engine, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 cases)
  • Electrics (1 cases)
  • Suspension (1 cases)
  • Brakes (1 cases)

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

SE LUX 150 DSG

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

42
Review
I didn't go for the 184 version, insteads spent the money on traffic camera and lane assist, along with keyless go and park assist. The 150 DSG is more than adequate even 6 up with a roof box. With little ones on board, you are not going to drive it anything other than careful and restrained. It has plenty of mid range poke and is a comfortable long distance cruiser. Space wise you can't fault it and can even get 3 child seats across the rear. The 2 rearmost seats even have isofix points, useful to have. Some reviews say the rearmost seats are only suitable for children, I have to disagree as our 6' teenager sits comfy in the far back. Only criticism is that sometimes stop start stalls the car and SEAT don't offer Adaptive Cruise, my wife's Golf has it , the Sharan SEL has it,so why not the Alhambra?

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2.0,130bhp eco

Year of registration

2012

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

58
Review
I use the car to tow a caravan around France, and it find perfect for the job, no problems at all. The mpg is excellent, with no mechanical problems at all. I would buy this car again, with or without a caravan. It is ideal for a family or couple run around.
Reliability

5 out of 5

no problems at all
Performance

5 out of 5

very sporty, yet most economical.
Running Cost

5 out of 5

very good mpg, servicing ok

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2012

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
New so no issues

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2004

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

45
Review
i brought this car due to it been powered by the vw 1.9 tdi oil burner and its reviews on how bulletproof that engine is. i have yet to any problems with the engine. very pleased
Performance

5 out of 5

i find the vw 130 bhp tdi more than adiquate for my purpose am going to find it hard to be swayed to switch from a vag group car now.\r
Running Cost

5 out of 5

i am getting the same in this car as i did in my old citroen c5 estate and it is a lot heavy and carries 6 people regular i am so pleased that i brought it.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Semi Auto

Year of registration

2011

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

37

Owner Review

3 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

SE, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Automatic

Year of registration

2004

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

New
Review
Excellent all-round useability & driveability, engine great but problematic electrics & i have had to replace the front seats twice. The trim outside has a habit of dropping off & the headlight wash/wipe housing keeps coming off every time i clean the screen. An excellent drive with fantastic load space when the seats are removed (i don1t need to go to the gym to get fit, just remove & replace a few seats).

Owner Review

1 out of 5

Version

2.0 dsg 182hp

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

60
Review
This car is great for space ,but that all its good for, really bad choice for us to be honest, electrics fail, smells like it's burning sometimes, revs are too high and does not shift gears well and either pick up speed to quick or does not move at all you can't win. The electronic parking brake often sticks on and car won't move, air con is rubbish and sensors are too over sensitive and it's a nightmare to drive. Unfortunately we are stuck with this now until 2019 as it's a Motability car, I wish I kept our old car now the Chevrolet Orlando not as big but a much better car to drive for sure.

Owner Review

2 out of 5

Version

2.0 TDI 184 Style Advanced

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

28
Review
This is a very well made, luxurious car. I was encouraged to buy the DSG version as VW quoted 53mpg average in and out of town. My wife and I are stunned by how bad the car is on fuel. We drive it with great care and try not to exceed 60mph. The automatic gearbox does not change up as I would, it sits at 50mph in 3rd gear sometimes and refuses to be changed to 6th with paddles. We cannot afford to run this car. I feel VW must have cooked the books with this one unless it's faulty. Nice car, but drinks fuel!
Reliability
Only done 900 miles. Have had it serviced to ensure the engine is not clogged with dirty oil. Best oil used, very carefully serviced at 500 miles.
Performance

1 out of 5

Nippy, but you would never know it was 182hp. The DSG box holds the revs high before changing up. The paddles don't help as the car will not allow you to change up gear unless you are going quite fast. My old Mondeo easily motored at 35mph in 6th gear. From purchase the Ford only used 1 pint of oil in 40,000 miles. Very powerful at 140hp . The Seat is a joke !!!!
Running Cost

1 out of 5

Ridiculously expensive. 28mpg driven very carefully. If I were to drive it as my last Mondeo diesel, I would expect no more than 20 mpg.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2002

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

40
Review
Generally very good , hard on tyres.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2011

Average annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
No issues with the car
Running Cost

4 out of 5

Very good apart from the adblue

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Tdi, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2005

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Review
Reliable and economical to run good for transporting teenagers and their friends

Owner Review

5 out of 5

Version

sxi, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2004

Average annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Review
Really good practical, comfortable car

Owner Review

3 out of 5

Version

SE, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2004

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Review
Very practical and economic, design wise it's ideal for the family and job i use it for, it's had a few problems which have been due to cheap componentry.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2.0 184 DSI

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

44
Review
Sadly our huge Renault Espace had to be replaced and this is the only car that comes close in maximum volume load space with all seats down. Performance is good, handling is good, economy not as promised but still good at 44mpg overall compared 33mpg with our old Renault. That's mostly motorway and some town driving. Owned from new for 15 months. So far not a single fault or problem. My only gripe is the auto stop start. I don't like it but seems all cars are like this now, but don't like it cutting out as I slow at a junction just as I am about to put my foot down. Can be most un-nerving. It's not as fast as the old Espace, either. Very comfortable cabin, well equipped. Cant fault it really. Hugely practical especially if load space is important to you.
Reliability

5 out of 5

So far not a single problem
Performance

5 out of 5

Far from a sluggish estate / MPV etc. Feels like driving a car, not a people carrier
Running Cost

5 out of 5

Good, 44 mpg all time total to date 15,000 miles

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2004

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

48
Review
the car has never let me down,starts first time and does exactly what i want the car to do wheather it be fully loaded or just myself in the car,built quality is superb and the ever reliable 1.9 vw engine its the pefect car for my family needs
Running Cost

4 out of 5

i get 48 mpg which i accept as pretty good considering the car weights2+ ton and when its fully loaded for holidays it still manages a 42+ depending on how its driven

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

SE, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2004

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Review
This is the 3rd new seat alhambra i have bought and it suits all my needs.

Owner Review

2 out of 5

Version

se lux with 184 engine with dsg g/box

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

0.3
Review
The car has plenty of room inside and is well built but has a very bumpy, noisy ride, heavy steering with not enough lock. The DSG gearbox is very jerky in low gears. Also, when you are driving you cannot see the controls for the cruise control or the wipers hidden behind the steering wheel.
Reliability

4 out of 5

OK so far, early days
Performance
very quick
Running Cost

2 out of 5

Poor

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

SE Lux

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

46
Review
Having owned Ford S-Max's I wanted a 7 seater with better 3rd row seats. The Alhambra doesn't disappoint as an adult can sit comfortably for long journeys. Fuel economy is no where near the advertised 55mpg as I get 46 mpg (187bhp)but for a large brick shaped car is ok. The SEAT manual is rubbish as it states the cruise control should disengage when the clutch is depressed. Only disengages when braking or manually switched off. The manual doesn't explain clearly other operations (too many red warning texts).
Reliability

5 out of 5

Have had no issues
Performance
Will cruise at 125 mph on the German Autobahn for hours. Does drink the fuel at that speed but diesel is cheaper in mainland Europe.
Running Cost
Using more AdBlue than I thought I would but the internet supplies it quite cheaply. MPG (like all cars) is no where near the quoted figure.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5-2 litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2010

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used
Review
No reliabilty issues since purchased
Running Cost

5 out of 5

Low tax and reasonable servicing costs so far

Owner Review

4 out of 5

Version

SX TDi, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2004

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Review
Last repair only partly covered under warranty I like it, not as much space internally as my previous renault espace but much more reliable particularly electrically. I like the versatility of the seats inside although would like more leg room in the very rear seats & more shopping space at the back. Was shocked at how expensive it was to replace the exhaust and springs etc. It cost me £600 to get through the mot - very disappointed about that as thought it would sail through being the newest car i have ever owned. Had to replace all the coil springs (front & rear offside were both broken-i'm told due to cold weather & potholes-although i have driven it very carefully!) And the exhaust needed replacing. I will have to replace the front shocks and the tyres in the near future which i am now saving up for... I have only had the car a little over a year but despite the recent financial shock i have been very thankful for its reliability. I had been budgeting for repairs etc but never expected it to be so expensive to maintain, especially being a vw engine. I'm hoping it will be ok from now on. Having driven a vw transit van before i have found the seat much more scary to drive in the snow, it seems to slide very easily so have had to be very cautious and try not to go out in the snow unless absolutely necessary It is much more fuel efficient than my previous vehicles but with diesel prices rocketing sadly i haven't felt the benefit of it at all :(

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

TDi, 1.6-litre to 1.9-litre, Diesel, Manual

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

New
Review
A very practical, economical and reliable workhorse which has suffered no significant failures unexpected of a vehicle of its age

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Ecomotive, 2.0-litre to 3.0-litre, Diesel, Manual

Year of registration

2008

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Review
A really good mpv. Good economy, good performance, comfortable. I'm impressed, especially with hobins of preston the dealer we use.
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