The Seat Alhambra is a very good MPV, and a very capable tow car. With its combination of a high kerbweight, a powerful engine and an extremely flexible cabin, the Seat is a worthy winner of the ‘Best MPV’ award.

As a tow car, stability is the Alhambra’s stand-out feature. It’s reassuring at 60mph and untroubled at 70mph. Data from the Al-Ko ATC system backed up the impression of our drivers – this really is a very secure tow car.

It’s a reasonably quick one, too. The 184PS (181bhp) engine is the most powerful in the Alhambra line-up, and it’s strong enough to pull car and caravan from 30-60mph in 12.4 seconds.

Front-wheel drive and lots of power isn’t always a happy combination for hill starts, but the Alhambra coped reasonably well. It took quite a few revs to pull over the 1-in-6 slope, though, and the driver needed to be quick with the throttle as the electronic brake released or the car would briefly roll backwards.

Inside, the Alhambra has space for seven in a roomy and thoughtfully designed cabin. The sliding rear doors are a definite plus, and make it easy to get in and out of the car in tight parking spaces.

With the third row folded into the floor, we found room for a full load of holiday luggage. Further marks were picked up for the excellent reversing camera and the standard fitment of trailer stability control.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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