Have a Big Alhambra

What we like:

It is very practical

not overly big

yet enough space for 7 adults

fantastic torque

responsive transmission

refined drive

good fit and finish

well

and carefully thought out folding rear seats

What we dislike:

Lacklustre frontal styling

hard to activate sport mode

could use electrical sliding rear doors

could use butt coolers

not butt/crotch warmers

The ace up SEAT’s Spanish sleeve is the 2.0TDI engine. Maximum torque of a whopping 380Nm comes in at 1,750rpm, thanks to the light pressured turbocharging. In contrast, the Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe produces 5 more Nm at 7,400rpm. Being an oil burner makes the Alhambra no slouch. At 1,881kg, it isn’t light, but it will commit to 100km/h in just 8.9 seconds.

But friends, this is not about how fast it really is, but how effective it is in hauling you, your daily load, with your daily routine. The amount of torque available on the 2.0, being a diesel would mean that fuel figures are good, and yes you do get range with a combined 19.2km/litre, and a 73 litre tank. Additionally, there is a “Coast” function, which declutches the transmission, allowing you to let the car glide when you lift off the throttle. VW’s start-stop programme too lets the engine shut off when coming to a stop, where the car is 3km/h or less. Go factor in the reserve and do the math guys, but don’t test it till empty. A diesel car without fuel is hell to restart.

Taking the Alhambra around some tight turns, you can feel the sheer weight and height of the vehicle. It wants roll if you push it too hard. The suspension is set up for comfort. You do get paddle shifters behind the steering wheel to quickly tame the car, by dropping gears before going round the bends. The 6-speed DSG transmission provides excellent gear ratios for the people mover. You can bang it into “Sport” mode, but you do not have to really. Reaching down to the gearshift lever, with the armrest deployed is rather challenging, as you’d find yourself leaning forward as your arm reaches slightly backward unnaturally, and then you have to depress the catch before pulling the gear lever back to engage the transmission into “Sport”.

Driving it smoothly, you’d be rewarded with a smooth ride. The suspension is more on the “European” firm side than American waterbed, which gives you confidence when bringing your family around (the bends).

It is a people mover, but Volkswagen has created a vehicle, composed enough to bring your family around in confidence, with enough torque and power to set your mild heart thumping, and with enough space for not giving IKEA’s delivery service your business.

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