SEAT Alhambra

Go fishing for an MPV these days and you'll be spoiled for choice. From enlarged hatchbacks like Renault's Scenic to monstrous eight-seaters such as Toyota's Previa, there's no shortage of manufacturers trying to give us the perfect people carrier.
But despite the increasing number of options, there hasn't been much to rival our Alhambra for sheer all-round ability. Since it arrived in July 2001, it's worked its wheels off, carrying everything from camera gear to rubble, fishing tackle to fence panels. Yet despite the abuse it's had - not to mention the 28,640 miles covered in the past 15 months - the SEAT will leave our long-term fleet later this month looking and feeling remarkably fresh.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Dave Smith

November 2002

Although all good things must come to an end, I'll certainly miss the flexibility of the cabin which, with its removable seats, has never let me down. As the Auto Express staff photographer, I need to carry lots of bulky equipment, and in nearly every situation the Alhambra has been the dream ticket. While I've run cars with more in the way of traditional boot space, the SEAT's low sill has been a big advantage when loading in really heavy items.
It's also proved an excellent camera car for capturing Auto Express's on-the-move driving pictures. Thanks to its easy access, high-lifting tailgate and smooth ride, hanging out of the back to get the perfect shot is easy. But while this particular quality won't sell SEAT any more Alhambras (except to car photographers, that is), the engine and drivetrain will. With 115bhp on tap and a standard six-speed manual box, the four-cylinder turbodiesel offers the best of both worlds. Bursting with low-down torque, it never feels short of power, while the leggy sixth gear makes mincemeat of motorways.
But it's the astonishing range that I'll miss most. The car's replacement - a Nissan Primera 2.0-litre Estate - averages only 22.4mpg and needs filling up every 300 miles. Driven carefully, the Alhambra could go for nearly 500 miles between stops - a real boon when you're following a fast-moving group test around the Welsh countryside!
In terms of reliability, only a few niggles blotted the SEAT's copybook. The first appeared at 17,000 miles, when the cooling fan refused to turn itself off. But after booking the car into my local dealer, Kingham's of Croydon, Surrey, the fault mysteriously disappeared. Then, at 28,342 miles, I noticed the engine was losing power. Acceleration was sluggish, and on the motorway the car was struggling to reach 70mph. Embarrassingly, it also became prone to stalling at traffic lights. This problem was traced to a pipe which had come adrift from the turbo - robbing the engine of boost.
The only other problem has been with the dash warning lights. First, the dealer forgot to switch off the service light after the first routine check. Then, following the car's 20,000-mile service, the brake light stayed on - despite the fitment of new pads. Although the first fault was fixed, the brake light still flickers on occasionally and will need to be sorted.
Inside, the Alhambra has been durable. While some of the boot plastics have been scratched by my kit, the interior trim is like new. Unfortunately, though, one of the wheels needs replacing. Having loaned the car to a colleague one weekend, I got it back with a badly kerbed alloy - heartbreaking after 11 months of keeping them scratch-free.
So would I recommend the SEAT? Of course. My year with it has been great. I don't think there's a better car for someone in my line of work.