Set challenges for Mumsnet SEAT test drivers and see what they think of the car- £200 Love2Shop voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the three Mumsnetters who are test driving the SEAT Alhambra.

Here's what SEAT say, "SEAT's seven-seat New Alhambra is ready to reaffirm its pre-eminence in the large MPV market with a UK range that majors on more powerful and efficient new engines, a wealth of new equipment features and extra flashes of contemporary styling. The all-round improvements are set to consolidate Alhambra's enduring popularity, reflected in more than a dozen "best MPV" awards since the current generation model entered the market five years ago. Versatility remains a designed-in quality for the New Alhambra; true to the easy-to-live-with character that has made it such an enduringly popular choice."

Non-testers: we'd like you to set the test drivers challenges to put the SEAT Alhambra to the test! Perhaps you'd like to know how many suitcases they're able to fit into the boot? Or how easy the car is to clean after testers have picked up children who have been at a muddy football practice? However you'd like the Mumsnet testers to put the cars to the test, let us know!

We'll choose 3 of the best or most popular challenges and ask the testers to complete them and feedback about them on this thread. Everyone who posts their ideas on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 Love2Shop voucher!

Testers: Please answer the questions below.

Q1. What was your overall impression of the car?
Q2. What did you use the car for? Did you feel like the SEAT Alhambra was up to the task?
Q3. What was your and your DCs favourite aspect of the car?
Q4. How well suited do you think the SEAT Alhambra is to catering for a hectic family lifestyle?
Q5. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the SEAT Alhambra to friends/family who are in the market for a new family car? Why?

All testers who complete all forms of feedback will be sent a £100 Love2Shop voucher!

Thanks
MNHQ

[villagefox]

What will you miss most about the Aihambra?

[RueDeWakening]

Q1. What was your overall impression of the car?
It's a lovely car, very roomy but drives like car not a van iyswim. Handles really well (compared to our current car at any rate!), goes quick when you want it to. The children were very excited by it, and are great fans of the integral child seat that we had, and of the sliding doors. Although they did struggle to shut the sliding doors themselves, they were very heavy. The stop start engine took a bit of getting used to, as did the handbrake, and 6th gear, but it was a quick adjustment.

Q2. What did you use the car for? Did you feel like the SEAT Alhambra was up to the task?
We used the car for everything! School runs, driving to work/playgroup, supermarket shops, longer drives at the weekend. The Alhambra was definitely up to the task - we were getting about 20 mpg on school runs in S London (av speed 6 mph!) by the way, I know that question was asked a few times and I don't think ever got answered.

Q3. What was your and your DCs favourite aspect of the car?
I loved how easy it was to get kids in and out, the sliding doors helped massively with that, as did the roomy interior - I could easily climb in to get a wriggly toddler into the middle of the middle row seats, and didn't feel at risk or as if I was blocking the pavement leaving a big door open. Also the boot was fabulous - we could fit a full weekly shop (5 bags for life plus nappies and a few other bits) into the boot with all 7 seats up, and with the back seats down we could have fit the entire contents of our house in there I think :o
Also, I loved the seat belt indicator on the dash, it was useful to be able to see which child hadn't done their seat belt up before we started driving. And saved the "everyone ready?" conversation that usually happens.
The children liked being able to sit in the very back seats, the individual heating controls, the blinds on the middle row windows, the cubby holes and storage places for stashing all their bits and pieces in, the sliding doors, and most of all the integrated booster seat. Basically everything!

Q4. How well suited do you think the SEAT Alhambra is to catering for a hectic family lifestyle?
I think it's really good - it's very flexible in terms of boot space vs seats, although I think you'd struggle to fit in stuff for a weekend away when all 7 seats were in use. Assuming your kids have their own booster seats, having the integrated one means you can offer lifts at the last minute without worrying about car seats. And for DH, the integrated booster meant that when he offered 5 people lifts home from an evening out, he didn't have to mess around putting car seats in the boot (which is what normally happens in our own car).

Q5. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the SEAT Alhambra to friends/family who are in the market for a new family car? Why?
Yes, I totally would. In fact I already have. And it's leapt into first position on our own shortlist, as we're replacing our car (ancient Citroen Picasso) in the next few months. I think though that we'd be seriously tempted by the automatic version, and the sliding doors with the assisted closing mechanism that one of the other testers mentioned.

Thank you so much for letting us test the car, we've loved it.

[ottothedog]

I most miss the relaxing drive. This was honestly a v stress free car to drive. I missed it this weekend :(

[RueDeWakening]

I missed the space, I was trying to wrangle three kids into the back of a Picasso today, it wasn't as easy as with the SEAT.

[confusedofengland]

I miss both the space & how easy it is to drive. Also those lovely sliding doors

[MichelleMumsnet]

This thread has now closed. Thank you to everyone who posted on this thread as non-testers and testers. Congratulations to lottietiger who has won the non-tester prize draw for a £200 Love2Shop voucher. We'll be in touch soon

[mummyplusbump]

NON TESTER

• Can you comfortably put the drivers seat back if you have long legs and there is a rear facing car seat behind it?
  

• What is it like to reverse? Parking sensors, blind spots etc?
  

• What is the Miles Per Gallon like for normal everyday driving (taking kids to school, commuting to work etc)?
  

• Can you fit 3 medium suitcases a buggy and a travel cot in the back?
  

• Are the seats wipe clean in case of spills?

[confusedofengland]

I see the video for this is now live - every time I go onto Mumsnet far too often I see my little family grinning back at me I miss this car!

[fridaykitten]

Non-tester
Id like to know if you can fit a childs bike with stabilizers in the boot with or without a pushchair? This is what i need for our park trips!

[confusedofengland]

fridaykitten it's been a while since we had to give the lovely car back , but from memory I'd say that you could fit both bike with stabilisers & a pushchair in the boot, easily (certainly when back seats down & quite possibly with all 7 seats up).

[CathyGlynn]

Non Tester - Is there adequate leg room?

[Byrdie]

Been asked before but a other vote for finding out if you can get three car seats in one row. Plus how easy is it to get in the back with three car seats in the front row? We have a 7 seater... Not this one... And have to leap through the boot to get to the back seats as the car seats in the front row make it impossible to get to the back any other way. I'd like to also know if the seats can face backwards?

[Sammyislost]

Definitely would love to know if they can park in a regular bay, between 2 other cars, exit the car without hitting the other car with the car door! Always a gripe of mine!

[Sleepysausage]

Non tester question....
Can you fit a bulky travel system, travel cot and various bags and child paraphinalia in the boot for a weekend away with a young family

[Natsai1]

Non tester. How easy is it to get a car seat with baby when parked in a regular bay next to another car? Is the boot size adequate to fit the pram and a weekly shop without either being squashed?

[VilootShesCute]

Non tester here.

Can you find and fit a wolfhound and two children in it?

[ladygoingGaga]

Non tester -
How easy is it to parallel park with adults/teenagers in the back seats, blocking the rear view?
It is quite big so worry it would be awkward.

[Natsai1]

ooh, can it fit a trike and a junior bike in the boot so going for a family walk can be more entertaining for a toddler and a 6 year old?

[thesoupdragon44]

Non Tester, I would love to know if all my sons sports kit would fit in the boot, with a fencing bag that is 1.75m it would have to have a big boot!

[Laflouder]

Non tester -

I'd like to know whether you can fit all the kit for a week away camping in the boot?!

[Larnipoo]

Non-tester

I'd like to know how much luggage space is available when all seats are occupied. Would you get a stroller in? Some shopping?

[RockingDuck]

Non-tester I'd be interested to know if you can park it easily in a normal space at the supermarket and still have enough room to get kids in/out :-)

[myrtle4me]

Non Tester
i'd like to know can the seats in the back be take out, if so how easy are they to get in & out of the car OR if not removable are they easy to fold down for more boot space

[Masketti]

Are there any handy cubby storage holes for emergency toys?
What's the widest buggy wheels you can fit in the boot (Uppababy Vista?)
How easily does the back of the driver's and passenger's seats mark with autumn mud/debris shoes?
How easily can you prevent the children in the back opening the windows/doors?
Is there somewhere for your spare car park change pot?
How easily can an 18 months old climb in and out of the back seat?

[RockingDuck]

Non-tester

Can you fit flat-pack furniture boxes inside with 3 kids & husband? Or a cot in pieces (excessive for my Citroen) without having to be on peoples' laps?