The Americans call them minivans, Europeans say multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), and Chrysler and Renault both lay claim to having invented the species in the early 1980s with their respective Caravan and Espace, writes Brian Byrne.
But in fact, the DKW Schnellaster from 1949, and the VW Type 2 'bus' from the early 50s both offered similar, if smaller van-based people-moving. Still, it was the post-Baby Boom offerings in the 80s that gave us what we now refer to as full-sized MPVs, and which reigned unopposed until the arrival of the compact people-carriers of Renault's Scenic and Opel's Zafira.
The downsizing which has accompanied the recession, and smaller families, as well as the morphing of SUVs into 'crossovers' much closer to the MPV format has taken its toll on the bigger vehicles. For instance, less than 500 out of some 5,600 MPVs sold this year are in the large category. But there remains a certain market for them, dominated by Ford's Galaxy, VW's Sharan, and perhaps to a significantly lesser extent the Espace.
The Seat Alhambra is the Spanish carmaker's variant of the Sharan produced by its parent company, both built on the same assembly line in Portugal. Both represent a brand new generation of their nameplate predecessors. And both are seriously good for their purpose.
As with the previous one, the Alhambra differs only in front and rear details from the Sharan, and with its badging inside and out. The specification offerings are also the brand's own, but with equipment common to both.
Alhambra isn't overstyled, rather the designers opted to provide a car that would offer the best space possible on its footprint. But it has a quiet elegance which pleases, and elements like the grille treatment are quite distinctive. The profile is restricted by what you can do with sliding doors, but in turn they offer very open access to the important middle and rear seats.
Up at the driver's position there's really good space, and the expanse of glass all around makes for a car with a very airy feel, and a sense of being able to see everything that's going on around one. The steering wheel has a lower than usual placing, and I found it very pleasant indeed, looking over it with almost truck-like visibility. And full marks for the clarity of the simple white-on-black instrumentation, which has nothing obscured by either wheel or hands.
The rear seats in both rows are all full-sized, and in the very back it is really commendable that the space is designed for a pair of full-sized adults in every respect. For those who need the capacity of this size vehicle, there are no compromises.
The side sliding doors are large, and offer very easy access even into the rearmost seats. And, of course, they're a boon in a shopping centre car park where opening standard doors on a wide vehicle like this one can be a challenge, especially if you're trying to get youngsters in or out.
And if it's a case of needing to carry cargo rather than people, it will accommodate a substantial amount of stuff on a flat floor with the two rows flipped over. Even with just the rearmost tipped there's more space than in many estate cars. With both rows down, you could put a full blow-up double bed there comfortably.
The real susprise is the driveability of this big car. I wouldn't have minded if it felt as big as it is on the road, but even in the confines of town streets it is as manageable as an equivalent car one segment down. And on the highway, the long wheelbase provides exceptional comfort for as long as a full complement would need to travel.
In Ireland the brand is only selling the 140hp TDI, a 2.0 whose format is very familiar to anyone who has driven VW Group cars over recent years. They have tweaked it in economy terms to give a very frugal 5.6L/100km, with auto start-stop and brake energy regeneration. Unfortunately it is just a few grammes into the C tax band, but even at that the Road Tax is reasonable for such a big performer.
There are two specification levels, Reference and Style, the latter adding things like cruise control, more storage options, automatic wipers and lights, and alloy wheels to the mix. A DSG automated gearbox variant is available with each, which makes little difference to consumption and adds a substantial ease of use.
Prices range €38,130-€43,700. If you're in the market, think of it as an investment for long term and safe full family transportation.
