Key facts:
Model tested: Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI six-speed manual 5-door
Price: (circa) £22,000
Date tested: September 2010
Road tester: Martin Gurdon

First Drive
While the original Alhambra was essentially the same as the old Volkswagen Sharan and Ford Galaxy, the reborn car is now related only to the new Sharan, although the two have different front end styling treatments and interiors.

What both share is the latest range of Volkswagen's 2.0 TDi diesels and 1.4-litre turbo petrol motors. However, there's a host of other spec and design changes that make the latest Alhambra a big advance over its well-liked predecessor.

The Alhambra's body has a low-key European stylishness to it, and is generally less curvy than its predecessor. It's also 22cm longer and 9cm wider.

The most obvious design change is the adoption of sliding side doors, electrically operated in the costliest versions. These provide easy access to the cavernous interior, although getting to the rear seats is a bit of a stretch.

Once you're there, the amount of space for a pair of adults will come as a pleasant surprise, although the deep boot is relatively small when all the seats are in place, with just enough room for a pair of large suitcases.

The three centre seat occupants have plenty of legroom, although three grown-ups will still find it a bit cosy - children will have no complaints. Oddly, the outer seatbelts aren't height adjustable.

With a little practice, collapsing the rear seats is a one-handed job, and finding your way round the system is easy.

---

---

There are some clever design touches, including neat twist locks for the removable twin luggage covers. There's also a huge, sliding luggage net.

Parents will appreciate the neat, optional built-in child seats, which turn the centre sections of the middle seat bases into booster cushions. Impressively, these chairs swivel too.

All the seats, including the front passenger chair, fold flat to create a hefty load area - 2,297 litres - and it's possible to fiddle about with seat vs. luggage combinations in a thoroughly useful way. Oddments stowage space, from big door bins to a large, dash-mounted lidded recess, is good too.

With plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment, most people will find it easy to get comfortable. The steering is light, direct and confidence-inspiring if not especially engaging, while the ride is pliant and cornering is tidy.

The 1.4 petrol engine is amazingly capable, but most UK buyers are likely to go for the 2.0 diesel, either with a six-speed, two pedal DSG self-shifting gearbox, or a manual six speeder.

We went for the latter, and revving at a little under 3,000rpm when travelling at motorway speeds, this Alhambra is an easy-going motorway companion.

Anyone with a big family, a small hotel or a private hire business would find a lot to like in this capable, good looking car, which proves that being sensible isn't the same thing as being dull.