Bought the SEAT as we have 5 children and needed a vehicle that would easily transport them and leave some boot space. On the whole the Alhambra is brilliant; good built quality, good economy, excellent spec and some nice little touches.

The only downside is that the electric sliding doors (we have this and the panoramic roof as options) don't always work properly. For some reason the passenger side electric sliding door exhibits an intermittent fault and when you try to close the door it springs back open when it's about 2cm from closing. You can force the door to close by giving it a gentle push when it's close to closing - but for an expensive option it's annoying. Needless to say the dealer and Seat support have been rubbish. Essentially they've taken the view that because they can't replicate the fault when I take the car in there's nothing that can be done.... I've even posted a video of the door not working on you tube (search for seat alhambra 2011 faulty electric sliding door) but this still doesn't appear to interest them....

Well, weve had the car a week, and have put 1000 miles on it already.
DSG option was made due to long commute and has yet to disapoint.
The 140bhp ecomotive powerplant gives plenty of "Oomph" and the dsg ratio's will soon have you making swift progress.

Comming from the older model, I dislike the fold flat floor, and prefer the option to completely remove the seats for extra capacity, but the ability to have all the seats "just incase" is also growing on me.
economy is currently around 36 - 46, but, knowing VAG engines, this will only get better as the engine beds in.

Disapointed with the DSG not being able to select and lock into a gear like a traditional auto, or being able to select a higher gear in slippery conditions to pull off.
Also, the paddle and manual mode are really only extensions to the auto modes and the gearbox will change back into an auto mode if you donot use them. there is no manual lockout.

The car is happy to change down, even at silly revvs, but will only change up when it wants to in manual mode which is anoying too.
The wife loves it, our 5 yr old loves the rear seats that convert into child seats (optional extra)
and the luggage restraint system is very flexable.
reversing sensors front and pack superb, giving 4 zones at each end with a grapgical display of objects in each zone.

Steering wheel over complicated with phone, radio, infomation display buttons and I find it is easy to change radio channel when turning the wheel.
On the motorway, its quiet, has enough performance not to be lumbering in lane 1 and feels very responsive given its size.

Turning the wheel at slow speed illuminates the front fog light on the corner the wheel is pointing to give extra illumination when manouvering.
also, while driving, it has an auto main beam function that cleverly dips the main beam when cars approack or you follow cars, only putting full beam back when there is nothing ahead.

Dislike having to put the footbrake down to start, select gear, remove the handbrake, plus the stop start system is fine but can be a pain when in heavy traffic.

origionally I wanted the SE/Lux, but delays in its launch have deprived me of the top of the range, so the SE was the next option although when you spec up the extra equipment, it becomes more expensive than the standard SE/Lux.

Interesting too it also benefits from a 20,000 mile / 2 year service schedule.

Maybe when the next renewal is due, Ill have my Leather again !