SEAT Alhambra (00-10) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 12 June 2009
With a spacious cabin, seven seats and proven reliability, the SEAT Alhambra makes an ideal car for larger families. It's actually the sister car to the Volkswagen Sharan and the pre-2006 Ford Galaxy, so you can expect strong build quality and a robust interior. It may not be the newest design, but it's good to drive and comfortable, while the frugal TDI engines mean it can be a good choice if you're looking to keep running costs down. What really appeals, however, is the fact that it's such great value for money while all models come well equipped. This makes it a good buy - new or used.
3.5 out of 5

Other SEAT reviews

4 out of 5

Buying used

It's well equipped and cheap to buy new, which makes it popular on the used market. It's also quite common in car supermarkets and independent dealers. From 2005 the 1.9 TDI is only available with an automatic gearbox, so don't go looking for a manual. The 2.0-litre TDI is a favourite and offers a good blend of economy and performance. The petrols can be a cheaper buy and make more sense if you don't intend to cover large mileages. Bear in mind that SX models only have six seats - the seventh is sacrificed for a coolbox. Avoid any that have been used by private hire taxi firms, however some are used by more upmarket chauffeur firms or hotels and will have been well looked after. Most are high mileage cars, but can prove a good bargain and are often top spec models.

  • Boot/Load Space SEAT Alhambra (00-10)
  • Interior SEAT Alhambra (00-10)

View full gallery

See 34 used SEAT Alhambras for sale, starting at £2,788

3 out of 5

Selling

Thanks to its spacious interior and Volkswagen reliability, the Alhambra will always be sought after, especially by canny buyers who are impressed more by value for money rather than the badge on the grille. You'll struggle to sell a 2.8 V6 model but any well-looked after diesel will be snapped up quickly. The Ecomotive offers low running costs which is a key selling point, although the standard 2.0 TDI isn't far behind.