Alhambra Wins Scottish MPV

This probably won’t come as a surprise to those that already own one but the SEAT Alhambra is growing an ever-increasing list of admirers that this month extended to Scotland after it was named MPV of the year.

Having claimed the eco award for the SEAT Ibiza E Ecomotive, the automaker managed to win in a completely different sector, the 7-seater market, where it has until recently developed a quiet, loyal following.

SEAT Alhambra pictured above.

Alhambra Redesign last October

Having first unveiled the model back in 1996, SEAT redesigned the Alhambra last year and put it on sale in October. In the past year, it has performed well in the middle of the MPV market while delivering a quality driver combined with a huge amount of space.

Adaptable Seating

Judges in Scotland noted that the Alhambra delivers adaptable seating, good overall handling and excellent fuel efficiency ― the test of any MPV worth its salt these days as manufacturers remain under constant pressure to lower fuel consumption while still delivering a people carrier with space.

SEAT Alhambra (newer design) pictured above.

Wide range of Engine Options

Part of the Alhambra’s appeal is the fairly wide range of engine options available, from a 1.4-litre petrol option to a 2.0-litre diesel. Again, these are adequate in term of size without taking things beyond that 2.0-litre category, which begins to result in a drop in fuel efficiency.

Five-Star Euro NCAP Assessment

One of the points on which the SEAT Alhambra is rarely congratulated is its performance on safety, which is rated as five-star by the Euro NCAP assessment scheme. As a 7-seater, the Alhambra offers noteworthy performance that underlines it as a vehicle with just about everything.

New version Longer and Wider

One of the tricks SEAT used when launching the new 2010 version at the end of last year was to add an extra 22cm to the previous version and a further 9cm in width. These adjustments have made it just that little bit bigger inside but yet somehow the vehicle retains a sporty look. Indeed, it has only gotten sleeker over the years. To add yet more options for Alhambra buyers, SEAT launched its latest model, a four-wheel drive, in February this year which gave the range a certain toughness that was perhaps lacking in the past.

Even more awards for the Alhambra

This attention to detail has not only been recognised in Scotland in recent years. Since the launch of the new Alhambra last year, SEAT has picked up a number of accolades in Europe for this MPV which has truly evolved.

Last year, the vehicle won in the imported MPV category for the German magazine Autozeitung and in the same category this year for the German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport. These awards were quickly followed by best MPV in the market by Whatcar? in the UK and the same by UK Fleet World Honours and the British motoring magazine Diesel Car. Similarly, the Portuguese awarded it car of the year in the MPV category, as did Spanish newspaper El Economista in its appraisal of MPVs. Clearly this latest incarnation of SEAT’s long-running 7-seater is doing something right.