Seat Alhambra: Bagged Packhorse

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39

The Seat Alhambra leaves its gene donor behind at the HU. And yet the family van is prone to certain quirks as a used vehicle - no wonder, given its intensive use.

The Seat Alhambra is a typical family car: a van with up to seven seats, lots of storage space and sliding doors that prevent car damage in parking spaces by impetuous children. The model of the Spanish Volkswagen subsidiary is almost identical to the VW Sharan. And yet the Alhambra does better than the Sharan in the general vehicle inspection (HU). But he also has his quirks, which can be attributed to the intensive use of the vehicle.

“Many families like to go on vacation in the packed Alhambra. That affects the chassis and brakes,”writes the“TÜV Report 2017”about the 4.85 meter long car that rolls on an extended platform of the Passat 3C, which was built until 2010. "The parts taken over from the Passat are apparently not able to cope with the higher weight," speculates the report. Overall, the Alhambra's axles were rejected seven times more often than the average of all models tested. Sometimes the air conditioning compressors break or the clutch goes on strike.

Registration dwarf Seat Alhambra

The report identifies the brake discs that wear out quickly as the second major weak point. The defect quota is already increased threefold at the first general inspection. Also after three years, rust appears on the chassis every now and then. On the other hand, the steering and the exhaust system are very durable. Compared to the VW Sharan, the Seat Alhambra is a dwarf in terms of approval. Due to the comparatively few copies on the streets, the ADAC has not included the Spanish sister model in its breakdown statistics.

The car club's previous experience with the van suggests, however, that it does not deserve a medal in terms of breakdown susceptibility either: the ADAC mainly noticed engine problems in vehicles built in 2011 and 2012. The Alhambra is now in the second generation. The current model, the Type 7N, came out in 2010 and received its facelift in 2016. It gave him a new grille, taillights that shine using LED technology and adaptive dampers.

The engineers have also updated multimedia functions and the safety equipment. From the beginning, seven airbags and ESP were standard equipment. In the Euro NCAP crash test, it received the highest rating of five stars. The storage volume is 809 liters and can be expanded to 2297 liters. However, if the third row of seats is installed, only 267 liters remain behind.

Used Alhambra from just under 12,000 euros

The Alhambra is fueled by conventional burners. In the current model, depending on the version, gasoline engines are used, which draw 110 kW / 150 PS from 1.4 liters displacement or 147 kW / 200 PS or 162 kW / 220 PS from 2.0 liters. However, the most powerful Otto variant has only been on the market since 2015. If you are looking for a diesel, you can choose from 2.0-liter units that deliver from 85 kW / 116 hp to 135 kW / 184 hp. All-wheel drive is only available in conjunction with some diesel models.

Used car buyers will find what they are looking for in the Seat Alhambra (type 7N) from 11,700 euros. The Schwacke list gives this average value determined from sales for the 1.4 TSI Ecomotive Start & Stop Reference with 110 kW / 150 PS from the year of construction 2010 and assumes 98,800 kilometers of mileage. In the case of the 2.0 TDI Ecomotive Reference from the same year of construction (103 kW / 140 PS), this is 129,400 kilometers higher, for which Schwacke quoted 13,050 euros.

If you prefer a younger model due to the possible defects, you have to budget for 24,600 euros (47,500 kilometers) in the case of the Alhambra 2.0 TDI Start & Stop Style with 135 kW / 184 PS from 2015, for example. After all, that's over 12,000 euros below the original price. (dpa / tmn)