What Car?’s newest long-term test car, an Alhambra 2.0 TDI CR 170 SE Lux DSG, has impressed reviewers since joining the magazine’s fleet in May.
“The idea of running a SEAT Alhambra popped into my head last year, while I was photographing it for our Car of the Year Awards,” said John Bradshaw, What Car?’s chief photographer.
“With its seven seats the Alhambra would more than manage the demands my wife, two kids (and their friends!) and I could place on it. It would also be a useful companion for the day job, thanks to the vast load space when all the seats are folded down.
“So I put in an order and picked up my car last month from Tia Erskine at Spur Garage, Hampton Court. I’d opted for the top-of-the-range SE Lux trim, which came with more-or-less everything… I’m most happy with the electric sliding doors, which mean I don’t have to worry about passengers unwittingly opening doors on to other people’s cars.
“So far, the SEAT’s everything I wanted it to be: spacious, comfortable and versatile. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the boot’s capabilities, too: with the rearmost seats down the boot holds an impressive 658 litres… No doubt it’ll be in demand for many colleagues’ holidays.”
John was right; Barnaby Jones, What Car?’s deputy production editor, has already borrowed the Alhambra for a week’s cycling holiday in Belgium.
“What a brilliant car for the job,” said Barnaby. “First, it took three people, three bikes (with the front wheels taken off) and enough luggage for five days with ease.
“Then it quietly and comfortably cruised the UK’s battered motorways and the smoother Continental roads, and the sat-nav found our secluded farmhouse B&B without a hint of a wrong-turn.
“I also appreciated the car’s light controls, slick semi-automatic gearbox, easy-to-judge extremities and plentiful storage space.
“All this and the Alhambra did the 553-mile round trip on a single tank of fuel, at an average of 40.2mpg. Fantastic.”
