The SEAT Alhambra was never crash tested by Euro NCAP and neither were its sister cars – the Volkswagen Sharan and Ford Galaxy. However, it does come with driver, passenger and side airbags on all versions along with three-point seatbelts for all seven seats. ABS is standard, but ESP stability control is only on 2.0-litre models (both petrol and diesel).

The middle-row middle-seat only has a lap strap belt on models pre-2002.

The five seats in the back of the Alhambra are all individual, giving plenty of flexibility. For example, each of the middle row seats can slide to vary legroom, while all the seats can be folded forwards or back. However, unlike many newer people carriers, they don’t disappear into the floor (something the 2006 Galaxy manages) – so although folding them down increases boot space, for true load lugging you need to remove them – not an easy or quick task.

But once done, it does increase boot space to a van-like 2,610 litres. With all seven-seats in use, the boot are isn’t huge, but you can still fit in a couple of upright smaller suitcases. The SX model has just six seats, with the seventh replaced by an electric cool/warm box that can also be removed if necessary. Other storage areas include an air-conditioned glovebox, a bottle holder in the third-row seat side storage panel and a lidded cubby on the top of the dashboard.