Professional Driver magazine’s Car of the Year awards the SEAT Alhambra MPV of the year.

Not unaccustomed to hauling in the odd award, SEAT’s range-topping Alhambra has added to its ever-growing trophy cabinet with its latest trophy as MPV of the Year at Professional Driver magazine’s Car of the Year awards.

Facing up to stiff competition, the Barcelona-based brand’s ultra-practical and stylish people-mover, in SE Lux 2.0 TDI guise, was judged to be the best seven-seater MPV for Private Hire operators.

Mark Bursa, Editor of Professional Driver Magazine, said: “Private Hire operators still need full-size people-movers, and the Alhambra really fits the bill. 

Facelifted last year with new sat nav, lights and Euro 6 engines, it has always been a potent product. It’s a genuine seven-seater, with ease of access via sliding doors, not to mention low running costs.”

Commenting on the win, Steve Mirfin, Product Manager, Alhambra, SEAT UK, said: “The Alhambra was developed with comfort and practicality in mind. Few MPVs manage to offer the space, design and running costs that Private Hire operators want; the Alhambra excels in all of them, and this award is confirmation of that.”

Professional Driver magazine, the monthly publication for the UK private hire, chauffeur and taxi industry tests its awards shortlisted models rigorously. 

The awards are judged by readers who are invited to a one-day test event to put the cars through their paces. Vital statistics such as boot space and sat nav are then put under the microscope, followed by the final hurdle, putting in a winning show on the whole-life running cost front.