91: Seat Alhambra – genuine space for seven genuine passengers

Top 100 cars for 2020: build quality is excellent, even if the cabin design is a bit old-hat

People carriers are out of fashion but we are genuinely thankful that the Alhambra  is still available
People carriers are out of fashion but we are genuinely thankful that the Alhambra is still available

We had thought that the Tarraco seven-seat SUV was going to replace the long-lived Alhambra, but thank goodness it hasn't. Whereas the Tarraco is seriously compromised in space terms, especially in the third row, the Alhambra - with its big, boxy body - is not.

This is a car with genuine space for seven genuine passengers. What’s more, thanks to those sliding side doors, they can all get in and out easily even in narrow car park spaces.

Build quality is excellent, if the cabin design is a bit old-hat, well who cares? The kids are just going to wreck it anyway… MPVs have fallen dramatically out of fashion in the past couple of years, especially large ones such as this, but we are genuinely thankful that the Alhambra (and its cousin, the VW Sharan) is still available.

Best model: Alhambra 2.0 TDI SE 115 for €43,940

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Price range: €41,600 to €49,825 Finance from €465 per month.

Co2 emissions: 135 to 140g/km

Sum up: For families, space is still the ultimate luxury.

* A note on Co2 figures: For almost all the cars in the Top 100, we’ve quoted the stricter WLTP figures for Co2 emissions. A few are still quoted on their older NEDC2 figure, and that’s the number they’ll be taxed on. If you’re confused at all, just consult your local dealer for specific data for the make and model in which you’re interested.