SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI CR 140PS SE Ecomotive

What is it?

ONE of the best large seven-seater MPVs you can buy. New SEAT Alhambra is essentially the same car as the latest VW Sharan – but costs a lot less. Sliding doors come as standard, as do three rows of seats and low running costs thanks to fuel-saving Ecomotive tweaks to the 140PS 2.0-litre TDI SE model tested here, which costs £26,070.

What’s hot?

• It’s just enormous, with 1,167 litres of space in five-seat mode…
• …and a huge 2,297 litres with all the seats folded
• They tumble simply and quickly too
• The middle row has lots of space for adults, the third row okay for kids
• Sliding doors really aid access, as does an electric tailgate
• SE trim means cruise control, aircon, 17-inch alloys and Bluetooth
• Ecomotive means stop-start, brake energy recovery…
• …resulting in 50.4mpg and 146g/km of CO2
• Engine is flexible, quiet and rapid with 0-62mph in 10.9secs
• Genuinely good to drive with tidy handling and precise steering
• The same VW Sharan costs £1,160 more

What’s not?

• This is no S-MAX; it looks like an MPV and nothing more
• That price tag may be cheaper than a Sharan but it’s still high
• There are doubts over what the SEAT badge means for residuals

What you need to Know?

P11D Value:	25,885
Monthly Rental*:	394 (CH)/£431 (PCH)
Tax Band when posted:	22%, 23%, 24%
Monthly BiK:	Click link for BIK
Engine:	2.0 4-cyl turbo diesel
CO2 Emissions:	146g/km
Power/torque:	140PS/320Nm
Economy:	50.4mpg

Monthly contract hire (CH) and personal contract hire (PCH) rentals generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.

Business Car Manager Road Test Rating

For business drivers with large families or for whom transporting passengers and lots of luggage is a regular occurrence, the new SEAT Alhambra comes highly recommended. Despite being incredibly practical, it’s also very good to drive – you’ll be surprised. And this brilliant diesel will cost very little to run. Yes, it’s expensive to buy and those contract hire rates are steep, too, suggesting the car leasing companies share our concerns about residual values, but for the money you’re getting an amazingly flexible all-rounder that does just about everything you could want from a business car.