Seat Alhambra 2019 Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ค. 2024
- Is This People Carrier Better Than an SUV?
While sales of SUVs have boomed in recent years, there's still a lot of be said for traditional people carriers. Sliding rear doors, seven large seats and a comfort-oriented approach make cars such as the Seat Alhambra easy to recommend, as Sarah-Ellen Brown explains in this CarGurus review.
Written review: www.cargurus.co.uk/research/S...
Pros
Fantastically practical
Sliding doors a real boon
Surprisingly enjoyable to drive
Cons
Some potential reliability issues
Ford S-Max is better to drive
Luggage space tight with all seven seats in place
The CarGurus verdict
Iffy reliability aside, the Alhambra is a very fine MPV. We'd steer clear of any car without a full service history, and stick to cars that have been well cared for to minimise the chance of any unexpected bills.
From the driver's seat, the Alhambra is one of the best MPVs. It may not be quite as sharp to drive as a Ford S-Max or Ford Galaxy, but it's not far off. Unless you cover few miles, we'd go for one of the diesels, which have decent performance and economy to go with the Seat's neat handling.
Practicality is what an MPV is all about, and the Alhambra is one of the cleverest used MPVs you can buy. There's plenty of space and, just as importantly, that space has been put to good use, with seats that slide, recline and fold away as required. Luggage space is tight with all seven seats in place, but otherwise the Seat Alhambra is a very practical seven-seater.
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#cargurusuk #seatalhambra #alhambra - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
What people need to realsie is that just because a SUV is larger than a people carrier on the outside, inside they are tiny and totally uncomfortable, I have a Sharan, very vast and comfortable inside (not to mention very practicle), I have a friend who has a Q7, bigger than a Sharan on the outside, but so cramped on the inside, my friend loves my Sharan!
Sure, you keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better
Lol it’s just a van with seats 😂😂😂
@@leonwilliams3221 no it’s not. It’s on the same floor pan as a passat and drives the same.
@@CptSpears007 I went from a q7 to an alhambra.
Never looked back.
@@leonwilliams3221 lol, you are just a person without brains 🤣
Received my 2019 1.4L Alhambra 2 weeks ago. It has been fantastic. My family enjoy it. We just drove up to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore yesterday. Dad, mom, my wife & Son love the space and floaty drive. Already covered 1500km. Has enough power to over take & keep up with the pace of traffic.
I've had 9 Alhambra's over the years and can't find anything that beats it . Just bought my very last one just before January 2022. I am delighted with its performance and load space and economy , 55 mpg on a run. I should say that the one I bought was 2 years old with only 8000 miles and was built just before they stopped them.
diesel or petrol ?
Very well done review. I have to say I do like the greenhouse on this vehicle. Looks like it has excellent visibility
I've had a 2011 Alhambra 2.0DSG from new and it's now done 130,000. Always serviced by Seat who have fixed price servicing it's been pretty reliable. After the 3 year warranty was up I was offered a lifetime warranty for £50/month which I took up. It's actually not lifetime and was cancelled at 9.5 years but gave great peace of mind. Faults rectified have included a new Adblue pump, new EGR valve, new NOx sensor so arguably I've over-paid for the warranty but only one claim was ever rejected (broken seat release) so compared to the 9 of 10 claims on my previous Renault Espace rejected by Warranty Direct, this seems pretty good value. However I'm not sure Seat still offer these extended warranties. A full dealer service history is required if they do.
The car has been driven to the Alps at least every year, sometimes with 6 people aboard and always without any issues and if not luxuriously, very comfortably. It drives pleasantly, will cruise all day at 80-90 on the motorway, pulls well uphill, brakes well and handles decently. It's carrying capacity is quite amazing. Folding all seats down once allowed me to get two sofas, a bed and a dining table in! All without having to remove the seats like on my previous Espace. It's actually much smaller (and therefore nimbler) than many SUVs on the outside and is no wider than most saloon cars. It has a terrible turning circle but that apart it's hard to fault. It goes through tyres quite quickly, fronts last about 20,000 miles, rears 40,000. Not having a spare is a pain but small punctures self-heal (with the original Contiseal tyres). If you tear a sidewall though you'll be stranded. Regular Seat servicing gives you free AA cover and they came and rescued me quickly on the one occasion this happened.
I've not had any DSG issues but the 40,000 gearbox oil changes are quite pricey (£200). The gearbox is a delight and always seems to be in the right gear for the circumstances. The cambelt needs changing at 7 year intervals but again this is a fixed price cost. Seat will talk you into changing the water pump at the same time. Overall I tend to achieve 35-42mpg. I once managed 50mpg on a motorway run driving very very gently so better mpg is achievable if you need it. The original battery lasted over 8 years, the brake discs needed replacing at 90,000 (front) and 120,000 (rear), again all at fixed costs at Seat dealerships. Seat's fixed price servicing costs can be found here
www.seat.co.uk/owners/your-seat/servicing-maintenance/fixed-price-servicing/SEAT-service-plans-pay-as-you-go.html
I may have been lucky, but overall I can't recommend it enough. It's the most versatile vehicle you could own and a very pleasant drive. Absolutely nothing van-like about it imho. The only thing making me consider selling it is London's new ULEZ charge as it is only Euro5. That and grown-up kids who've fled the nest.
Enjoyed your review. Left me with a smile on my face. Thks for sharing.
@@abdulhadiabdullatif6518 Brillian review - you should have your own channel - Thanks for your time.
Amazing review bro. Start a TH-cam channel. Now I want one asap!
Amazing review. Thank you.
I have 2005 Seat Alhambra 1.9 TDI & it still drives like new, although I have clocked 300,000 miles.
I am thinking of buying new one next year (2020).
❤️❤️❤️
I have a 2015 one
planning buy model after 2005 or before 2005!
Excellent review with such clarity on the seating 👏
Glad you liked it!
Had a tarraco as a rental car for a week, i really didn‘t like it it was a huge car with very little space inside. The alhambra is so much better
The for that
I think there is no SUV on the market who comes even close to the alhambra/sharan for family. Sporty means always less space inside which is bad if you have more than 2-3 kids.
We are buying Alhambra on Monday. SUVs are comical.
Or, you can get the S-Max and have the best of both worlds.
@@mdo No. The S-Max is more comparable to VW Touran but not Sharan nor Alhambra. The Galaxy is more comparable but it has many downsides as a family car (it has some upsides as well but in other areas).
I have the 2 litre turbo diesel with 150bhp and dsg gearbox in Xcellence trim level. It’s almost a year old and I’ve had it from new.
The car does not come with Android and Apple CarPlay, I didn’t find this out to too late, the dealer wants £300 to fit it. The electric tailgate and side doors are fantastic. The large panoramic roof is excellent, too and the aperture is plenty big enough.
The car drives very well considering it’s size and it can be fun down a good country road, believe me.
If I could change something:
Two things, first would be the small and old fashioned infotainment system and sat nav.
Second this, the awful service SEAT dealers provide if theirs an issue with the car. I went 8 months without sat nav and had to purchase a £300 TomTom because my dealer was ‘reluctant’ to fix the problem. First they replaced the antenna - that did not work. I made another appointment to take the car a few weeks later and when I arrived at the dealership a jumped up short arse of a guy came running out to me and said "no good leaving it mate, can’t do a thing. It’s a satellite problem covering this area".
What a load of bollocks. My TomTom and phone sat nav all work fine. He must think we are all as ignorant as he is.
After a few months I thought I’d try my luck again. Booked the car in, got it seen to and they found a loose connection in the back of the unit.
Fixed all is fine now. But why rub your customers up the wrong way? It’s senseless.
Bye the way, I didn’t see the short arse bloke lift off into space to fix a satellite either.
So, Workington SEAT - shame on you. I won’t be back for another SEAT in two years time. Not from your dealership or any other SEAT dealership.
The sad thing is, they knew I was a SEAT fan. I have had 4 Ibiza’s, 2 Leon’s and 1 Altea.
Now SEAT has lost a valued customer.
Ps - SEAT UK customer services were no help what so ever. I made them aware of the problems I was having but heard nothing back. When I called them for an update they said had never been in touch with them.
Guys and girls, you’ve been warned.
I think update the Alhambra to the MQB Platform with new LED Lighting, heated back seats, 4 Area Climate, Inductive charging, a more robust undercarriage and you have a perfect car for todays family needs.
im happy with the way it is now, I have to say, but I might have quite humble needs :)
Nope. There isn’t an SUV that can match the practicality of the Alhambra. I’m waiting for mine to arrive. Got the 1.4 TSI.
@Alejandro Conner, I got mine and have been enjoying it for the past 1.5 years. The space is phenomenal
The 1.4 Tsi is great. Very smooth silent Engine. I Drive it under 6 Litres per 100 km by Daily Commuting to work.
Been driving my VW Sharan which is the identical twin to this model for 2 years. Never been once there's a sense of regret. Big, roomy and powerful, it's really a balance of everything, especially for the price one is paying on this part of the world (SE Asia). Kids totally loved it. Tried to pushed past 200kmh on stock tuning and comfortably pushing past the Cs, 3s and even fivers. If VW group is even reading this, don't kill this model and move it quickly top MQB please!
I really like the practicality of the Alhambra. I’ve test driven and placed a booking for the 1.4 petrol engine. I enjoyed the drive. Would love hear about it this particular model though.
1.4 engine is too small for a car with 7 seats go for 2.0 diesel it has enough power but gov has restrictions on diesel cars
@@Mu5tyLaghmani if it's euro 6 diesel it's ok. Euro5 ir below tends to have the restrictions, especially in London
I have a 2015 2.0 tdi ecomotive and it is soo powerful and sounds cool when accelerating in 2nd gear - it's so fun to drive and is faster than my golf - although mine doesn't have electric sliding doors but they're fun to pull and so practical and economically good and environmentally friendly - the suspension is not the best because it's not an suv but it's practically is unbeatable and also get leather seats I don't have because the headrests on mine are really hard and hurt your head but I love the way the seats recline which is very unusual but in a good way but I wish the seat belt holder moved as well when you move the seats back and forth in the middle row and the space is unbeatable - mine doesn't have shopping hangers but it is even better to put all 7 seats up to put shopping in because if you don't it will roll around - it looks sort of like a minivan but the feeling inside proves that wrong - great car, hard to find fault even tho I would like to try an suv but this is way more practical - I had a 2007 renault grand scenic but this is way better - such a better upgrade from the previous Alhambra and I feel so cool opening those sliding doors Boi love this car
That took forever to write but no like 5 mins lol btw
It feels sporty to drive and fast and the manual is fun
I have had a 2015 alhambra 2.0tdi lux. It's top of the range and has lots or equipment, my favourite being the big sunroof. It's also great in terms of space and practicality. My car is 4 years old and has done 60k miles. It is well maintained and doesn't only do short journeys. It needs a complete exhaust system. Common faults with cats cause problems with DPFS and the bill is £4.5k. (Google the Which? Article.) These are dealer only parts. Seat wrongly diagnosed my car saying it needed a turbo, then advised I take it to another dealer, which I did. I have been without my car for 1 month with no courtesy car and with Seat's "goodwill" will have to pay 30% of the bill (£1217). You just don't expect these problems.
Great car. Atrocious reliability and customer service. Buy one of these if you like getting the bus...
I have a 2015 one and its brilliant and fun to drive
The rise of the SUV is irritating.
Nothing beats a MPV for loading people and stuff.
I can fit a 3 metre worktop into one of these with the front seat folded flat. Totally flat load space.
SUVs can’t do stuff like this. Have useless massive wheels, intruding arches and terrible fuel economy.
That’s the Carens and zafira gone to name a couple and it’s a total shame
The SUV 7 seats are used occasionally people carriers are design for everyday 7 people use if I buy a SEAT Alhambra I brought it because I'll we carrying 7 occupants quite regular.
Hi, we would be on a 3 day holiday in UK. I have a choice to either rent this car or a Discovery 5 (7 seater) we would be 4 adults and 2 children (3.5 years and 5 months). Would have about 3 cabin bags and a baby stroller. Which car you think will be more comfortable and at the same time accommodate our luggage as well. Thanks.
Have this car in the 184 4drive FRline version...got a reprogrammed chip giving it around 210-215 hp with bigger torque and it becomes a quick car with a van like space inside. The only downside I see is: weight on snow conditions when going downhill ( it is not a subaru impreza) and the DSG gearbox that is not very efficient in downshifting requiring a bit more use on the brakes.. Otherwise the 4drive version is a real plus on wet, snow conditions!
The rest is only positive, and you get the acceleration of a much smaller car with all the advantages of a huge interior space. I have tried tiguans and other SUV's they are high on wheels, but besides that the interior is cramped in the backseats and offers no advantage...Lets hope wisdom will have car makers switch back to MPV's one day
Ok I have a ALHAMBRA and it dose not feel "VAN LIKE" no way it's easy and comfortable to drive and if u get the 184bhp DSG owch that's nice I mean I beaten BMW 1 series ,Audi A4, tons of cars with this off the lights it's no slouch if u know how to drive one and visibility is great big huge airy windows easy to navigate
Suv are completely impracticable with 4 kids. The MPV is simply brilliant
Yes it's the van/car combination after, feels quick and very spacious. It's a shame the engine sizes are so small I'd rather a 2.2 or 2.4 petrol or diesel.
You really don't need it. Our 2 Litre Alhambra easily pulls our caravan along with motorway with 6 passengers inside and a roof box on top.
@@davidscamerajourney Ours does the same for 5 persons, 5 bikes on the roof and the caravan all together with the 1.4 Tsi over the alps.
My Dacia Logan 0.9 l easily can carry 8 passengers, 3 Thule Dynamic M, 5 bikes and your two alhambra's with their caravans through Transfăgărășan.
Great car!
Hired a diesel one today. Much better than the Q7. I was getting 70 mpg on the motorway doing 80mph.
Check out the EuroNCAP rating !! Only 4 star .
The side door "FELL OFF !!" in the side impact pole test ! !! I nearly bought one of these , not any more !!
Anti- burst doors on cars were we developed many years ago , WHOOPS !!
Because going into a pole sidewards is likely to happen 🤪
Also....The Volvo failed the piano dropping on the roof test.
Would one of these accommodate a bike in the back (seats removed of course) without taking a wheel off?
Yes, it is possible. I had a xl fully MTB in the back. You have only to fold down all three seats of the 2nd row. My Alhambra has come without the 3rd seat row. The Alhambra is my best car ever. It is a pity that vw discontinued the model. You do Not Need More car for Family, Sports or Camping.
Spend a bit more and you can get a VW Transporter people mover. Better residuals, more room, heavier but similar footprint and stocking engine choice.... at least it is a van.
I’ve driven lots of Transporters. They are a great vehicle if you need even more space and eight seats with lots of luggage space. But there’s no comparison in terms of drive. The Alhambra drives like a nimble saloon car, rides better, corners better, is way smaller. The Transporter always feels like a converted van.
Van-based MPVs are both bigger and exceptionally cheaper.
Best car in the world!
none of SUVs have 3 full seats on the second row, not to mention space, window size and air vents on the 3rd row. We have 4 kids and will buy Alhambra, although it looks so boring and out of style :/
Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery, Volvo XC90 are just a few of the SUVs with 7 seats that spring to mind.
Peugeot 5008?! 3 full seats on second row which can be moved independently, all with isofix.
@@stephengilliatt1191 exactly, in the 2nd row. But no Isofix in the 3rd! Only the Sharan an Alhambra have this from the models on the market now. I had bought a 2018 Sharan just now, because I will have 4 kids soon and this was the only sensible choice. Or you can go the van route with Tourneo Custom, Vivaro, Trafic, etc. which are horrible: parking is impossible, tax is horrible, any kind of motorway toll is higher. Really the MPV is unbeatable. And they discontinued them!!!! It is only SUVs now. God where did it all go wrong with these useless, good for nothing pieces of engineering pieces of s..te...
i had a Ford Galaxy in the past..loved it..very comfy,very good mpg,big .....dont buy stupid SUV s guys...if you use a car for long journeys and need space ..just get Sharan,Alhambra/Galaxy...SUVs are only for farmers...
Yet another car that we will never get in the States.
i'd buy this over an suv
Mind that huge rock! Lol 2:36
i HATE SUVs. They're so fake. These are so much more efficient. Look at that mpg, 40-45 mpgs? And this SUV lot eat veganaise. Everyone who drives an SUV is a hypocrite. Someone who drives one of these know what they're doing.
Yes but not as nice