You can call me Al

The much-improved Alhambra has the technology to keep SEAT competitive in the large MPV class, says Jonathan Crouch

BIG MPVs aren’t really in-keeping with SEAT’s racy brand image but the Alhambra has always done very well for the brand - especially in second generation guise.

Unlike more compact 7-seat MPVs, with this one, adults can actually use all three rows of seats, with those chairs folding neatly into the floor thanks to the Easy-Fold seating system.

You also get sliding side doors and a plethora of storage options that give this car strong practical credentials.

The claim from SEAT is that the sporting character and driving fun it builds into all its cars are very much intact where the Alhambra is concerned. It is a sevenseater measuring close to five-metres in length, though, so expectations may need to be tempered a little. The uprated and now more powerful mainstream engines are all diesel-powered, with 150 and 184PS versions of the familiar 2.0 TDI common-rail injection unit. There’s also now a 1.4-litre TSI petrol option.

Around town, the Alhambra can eek extra miles out of its fuel tank and contribute to cleaner air with its standard StartStop technology. This improved Alhambra model’s design has been subtly updated but the changes are difficult to spot.

Restyled rear lights with LED technology display SEAT’s distinctive light signature. Plus the latest brand logo is set into the modified front grille and there are revised wheel designs.

The interior comes with smarter trim colours, the steering wheel design is taken from the SEAT Leon and some of the control elements have been redesigned.

Otherwise, it’s as you were. Size is not in short supply with the Alhambra but SEAT’s largest MPV disguises its bulk well through some typically sleek styling.

The bonnet and windscreen form a continuous, sharplyangled line from roof to grille for a wedgeshaped profile while the large headlights and low bumper add a little character to the nose.

There’s a lot of glass, so even passengers in the third row should get a good view out and getting light in won’t be a problem.

Getting passengers in should also be straightforward thanks to sliding side doors that provide a wide aperture and outer seats in the middle row that tilt forward giving walkthrough access to the third row. Seven seats are standard and there’s plenty of versatility in all models thanks to the Easy-Fold seating system.

You needed a MENSA IQ and the strength of a Ukrainian shot putter to maximise the luggage capacity of the old Alhambra as the seats needed to be folded, unclipped from their mounts and lifted out.

Now all of the rear seats can tumble down beneath the floor with a minimum of fuss.

The boot capacity isn’t huge with seven people inside but there’s up to 1,167 litres with five occupants and up to 2,297 litres when you travel two-up.

SEAT claim that this improved model is up to 15 per cent more fuel efficient than ts predecessor.

In 2.0 TDI 150PS guise for instance, it manages 57.6mpg n the combined cycle and 130g/km of CO2, impressive figures for such a large MPV.

All engines can be combined with the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, which in its latest generation also boasts a fuel-saving coasting function.

As soon as the driver lifts off the accelerator, the Alhambra runs with the engine decoupled.