If you’re looking for a spacious, comfortable, and reliable vehicle for the family, then consider the SEAT Alhambra among your choices. It’s also considered the sister car to the pre-2006 Ford Galaxy and the Volkswagen Sharan, so you’re guaranteed a quality built interior. The Alhambra is also one of the brand’s most successful models and has achieved market success within its 14-year-old lifespan.

Pros

The best engine for the Alhambra line is the 2.0 TDI SE Lux that packs in 168bhp. There’s also the 2.0-litre turbodiesel at 138bhp, the 2.0TDI Ecomotive at 114bhp, and the 1.4 TSI petrol engine at 148bhp. All these come with a standard six-speed manual gearbox but can also include a DSG gearbox. The 2.0-litre TDI is the “slowest” in speed, as it takes 12.2 seconds to arrive at its zero to 62mph sprint. We recommend the 2.0TDI Ecomotive for the more environmentally conscious. The Ecomotive features less carbon dioxide and its fuel economy ranges from 43 to 47mpg. We also approve of the 1.8-litre 20V Turbo that provides a fun drive at 150bhp.

The Stylance, Sport, and SE models offer the sharpest drives via its bigger 16-inch alloy wheels and sports suspension. All model variations, however, feature precise steering and a balanced body control that drivers will easily enjoy driving on spacious country roads and town streets.

The Seat Alhambra sports several imporvements to its latest design. The large sliding doors are practical additions that allow for better entrance and easier access to tight spaces. Parents won’t have any problem seating smaller children and letting the older kids sit at the back. Significant expansions have also been made size wise: the latest generation is 4.85cm longer and 1.9m wider, allowing its exterior design to balance the Alhambra’s additional weight.

The design also features A-pillars built to improve airflow, less wind flutter, clearer door mirrors, a drag coefficient of 0.29, and a gutter that diverts the air to side windows. The lower load height from the car’s rear-end styling looks a bit awkward at first, but it’s an acceptable effect considering the convenience of the effect.

The Seat Alhambra also sports practical features in its interior design. The three middle row seats can be individually folded and slid for more or less space. You can either add or remove more passenger accommodations by adjusting the tilt on the middle row’s two outer seats. Tumbling in the second and third row seats into the luggage’s designated floor can also expand boot space. The Alhambra features 1167 litres until the roof for its five-seat layout, while having the seats folded flat gives the vehicle 2297 litres worth of space.

Cons

Unfortunately the Alhambra sports flat seats that can be uncomfortable during long journeys. We would recommend the next generation adding bolster support to complete the interior’s ultimately luxurious and practical space. The slide doors, although the best option for large spaced cars, could have been electrically powered for less of a hassle. They tend to be heavy and could give the kids some difficulty as they get out of the vehicle.

                SEAT, S.A. is a Spanish manufacturer of automobiles that was established in May 1950 and based in Martorrel, Catalonia, Spain. This subsidiary of the German Volkswagen Group manufactured the SEAT Alhambra, which is a large multi purpose vehicle or MPV that was produced since 2006.

                The name Alhambra is derived from Spain’s famous monument, the Alhambra of Granada. This car is a five door multi purpose vehicle at has a front engine, front wheel drive layout and was assembled at the AutoEuropa Plant of the Volkswagen Group in Palmela, Portugal. The first generation Alhambra, also known as the Mk1 Typ 7M was produced in the years 1996 until 2010 and is available in several transmissions including a six speed manual, a five speed automatic, and a five speed tiptronic automatic.

                Its key competitors in the market include the Mitsubishi Space Wagon and Toyota Previa. The second generation SEAT Alhambra was also called the Mk2 Type 7N, which was produced since 2010. A four wheel drive version of the Alhambra was revealed in February 2011. A notable achievement of the Alhambra is its acceptance of a five star rating in the year 2010 from the European New Car Assessment Program or the Euro NCAP. It has also been recognized as the Best MPV on the Market in 2011 by What Car? Magazine, UK Fleet World Honours, and Diesal Car magazine. This award was once again earned in the years 2012 and 2013 from the What Car? Magazine.