Skip advert
Advertisement

SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI SE

The ability to carry seven adults is our class leader’s trump card

Our reigning class champion has set a high benchmark for all seven-seat MPVs, with space and comfort to spare. So is the SEAT Alhambra’s position at the top under threat from the new Zafira Tourer?

It certainly can’t match it for style. The big SEAT has none of the quirky flair that defines the company’s smaller models, and opts for a neat, conservative look that closely mirrors its VW Sharan sister car. The beautifully detailed bi-xenon headlights are a striking feature, but they’re a pricey £895 option – and without them, the Alhambra’s nose lacks panache.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Thanks to the unsightly sliding door rails on each flank, plus a roofline that’s 55mm taller than the Vauxhall’s, the SEAT is also the most van-like MPV here. Unlike its rivals, it doesn’t get extra glass in the A-pillars, which hampers visibility when pulling out of tight junctions.

Yet as soon as you climb aboard, the benefits of the Alhambra’s extra bulk become clear. That higher roofline means it’s much easier to clamber into the second and third rows of seats; it helps that the middle seats tumble and slide forward when you pull a single lever on the seatbacks. The seats in the middle row all slide independently, too, using sturdy grab-handles that are placed within easy reach – even for children.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Fiesta ST

2023 Ford

Fiesta ST

29,649 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £17,500
View Fiesta ST
A-Class

2022 Mercedes

A-Class

8,177 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £22,200
View A-Class
Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

73,968 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £11,997
View Golf
Qashqai

2022 Nissan

Qashqai

20,136 milesManualPetrol1.3L

Cash £18,297
View Qashqai

The space offered in the rearmost seats is what sets the SEAT apart, though. If you need to regularly carry seven occupants, they’ll be most comfortable in this car; unlike its rivals, it has enough knee, head and elbow room to accommodate grown-ups in the back.

With all five rear seats folded flat, the Alhambra has the edge again. It can swallow 2,297 litres of luggage – that’s 437 litres more than the Zafira. And practicality is further boosted over the cramped and basic Vauxhall by the plastic tray tables, huge door bins and a flock-lined cubby in the top of the dash.

The SEAT feels well built, too, with a clean and classy dash plus an excellent and widely adjustable driving position. On the road, it majors on comfort and refinement. Softer suspension means it rides smoothly over bumps and potholes, and the SEAT’s 2.0 TDI engine is far quieter than the Zafira’s at idle.

That takes the stress out of long journeys – but the Alhambra is no slouch, either. Throttle response is livelier than in the Vauxhall, with the DSG auto kicking down eagerly. So while the 1,842kg SEAT weighs 157kg more than the Zafira, it was over half a second faster from 50-70mph in top, with a time of 9.6 seconds.

However, the DSG box adds £1,270 to the already high price, so cost-conscious buyers will be better off with the manual, which is also likely to return better economy than our rather average 30.6mpg. Yet our class champ still looks odds-on to retain its crown.

Details

Chart position: 1
WHY: Class-leading interior space, fantastic build and tidy handling have made the Alhambra a big player in the MPV market.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,919 off RRP*Used from £14,800
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,250
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £15,800
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025