Skip advert
Advertisement

SEAT Alhambra: Third report

Our big SEAT Alhambra MPV is easing sibling rivalry in the back seats

As a parent, sometimes all you want is an easy life, so a car that will keep the family happy and take the stress out of journeys is hugely important. With twin boys who can argue over the time of day, making sure they’re not constantly getting at each other in the back seats is a must.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Short of having a couple of cages in the back, the SEAT Alhambra does the job brilliantly, keeping them far enough apart with the help of my daughter (with headphones on) in the middle. Three same-sized seats are the key: nobody gets a raw deal, so there’s no reason to argue, right? I wish.

The full-length glass roof is popular, too, especially as it opens wide – not many of them do and I reckon it’s the closest you’ll get to a seven-seat convertible. Then there are the sliding rear doors, which my wife is a fan of, especially in tight parking spaces – the SEAT is a sizeable car. Still, she always says that space is luxury and there’s bags of both in the Alhambra.

It’s the way the big SEAT blends its talents that’s so impressive, but let’s start with the one negative: next to a Ford S-MAX or a Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, the Alhambra is about as exciting to look at as a pile of ironing.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

4 Series Convertible

2025 BMW

4 Series Convertible

41,000 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £25,995
View 4 Series Convertible
MX-5 RF

2019 Mazda

MX-5 RF

18,350 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £19,795
View MX-5 RF
TT

2018 Audi

TT

55,925 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £17,495
View TT
S-Class Saloon

2015 Mercedes

S-Class Saloon

76,000 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L

Cash £15,995
View S-Class Saloon

My car’s bright red paintwork helps a bit, but there’s not much else to get enthused about. On the subject of red paint, when I ordered my car there was no charge for this non-metallic. But as of 1 January, it costs £195. Strangely, though, white is still free.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There is one other niggle. The view out is generally great with those big, deep windows. But whenever anyone’s been in the back and pulled the headrests up, they never put them back down, leaving my view in the rear view mirror obscured. The headrests are much easier to pull up than push down, too.

Great though the car is with the whole family (including the dogs) on board, it’s usually just me in the Alhambra. And this is when I enjoy it most – it just feels like a big VW Golf. That’s not surprising, as this SEAT is more like its VW cousin (the Sharan) than any other. But I love the slick-shifting DSG gearbox, the smooth ride and the comfortable seats – it’s a totally painless commuter car.

In fact, when a pal of mine asked for some recommendations for a family-friendly SUV, I stuck this MPV on the list for him to look at, too. He spends most of his time on motorways, where the Alhambra will be more frugal and more refined than any seven-seat SUV for the same money.

My car’s been in the wars recently, though, thanks to a lorry driver who forgot the back of his truck doesn’t precisely follow the front. I was lucky to get away with a deep scratch across the rear window and chrome strip, but I was without the car for a couple of weeks.

I took the opportunity to have winter tyres fitted while the car was at the dealer, as I’d noticed a lack of grip on slippier surfaces from the front tyres. My car has the 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which has useful mid-range power, but can make the tyres scrabble for grip when you’re pulling away.

Of course, since fitting winter tyres the weather’s been fine. But this is a British winter, so slippery stuff can’t be far away.

Our view

“Comfy seats, DAB radio and plenty of room make the Alhambra as relaxing as your lounge. But it’s a bit big when parking.”Tom Phillips, Web reporter

Your view

“For an MPV this car is an excellent drive, very comfy and cost effective. There are lots of gadgets, but the manual’s not user friendly.”KB, via Driver Power

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

New & used car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £14,400
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,560 off RRP*Used from £14,600
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £1,743 off RRP*Used from £18,900
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return
Ford Fiesta exclusive image

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return

The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here’s everything we know so far
News
20 May 2025
Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales
Luxury car tax

Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales

Is pressure from retailers and car makers finally cutting through with ministers?
News
22 May 2025
Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution
Connecting charger to Hyundai Tucson PHEV

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution

Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate
News
19 May 2025