SEAT Alhambra Estate engines, drive and performance
Best petrol engine is the 150bhp 1.8T 20v (as used in the Volkswagen Golf and Passat). It gets to 60mph in just over 11 seconds, yet has a fuel consumption figure that’s similar to the non-turbocharged 2.0. 1.9 TDi 110 is the best diesel and delivers useful economy. It also makes Alhambra one of the liveliest MPVs of this age. The 2.0 is a bit stodgy and best avoided; the 90 bhp TDi diesel feels strained at speed.
Alhambra is one of the better handling MPVs of the mid-nineties, though it can’t truly be described as car-like. The commanding driving position gives a good view of the road, though the rear view can be a little restricted when it’s full of passengers. But it’s easy to drive around town, relaxed on longer motorway journeys and can cope well if asked to travel quickly across country.