The SEAT Alhambra is one of the longest lived people carriers on sale in the UK and the all new model is still as relevant today as when the first one was introduced in 1996.

Originally designed and built alongside the Ford Galaxy and VW Sharan, the Alhambra came out as the "budget" version of the trio.

How times change, as the latest version we have just tried would now set you back over £26,500.

But to put that in context it is still cheaper than its stablemates today and by a significant amount.

Over the years the price has crept up to reflect the Alhambra's increasing sophistication and the test model is one of the most refined mpvs on sale under £30,000.

Ford has since left the partnership and now builds the Galaxy in Belgium and has no relationship with the new SEAT and VW MPVs.

There are nine models in the current Alhambra range priced from £22,800 to £30,430 and offered with the choice of 140 or 170PS diesel engines and 150PS petrol with six-speed manual or DSG boxes, in S and SE specification.

The Alhambra's powertrain is a well proven and capable combination delivering easy start-up, strong pulling power for overtaking and a lot of refinement when cruising at surprisingly economical rates, helped by its stop&start fuel saving system.

With the DSG automatic, you can choose to leave the selector in drive or utilise the column mounted paddles to optimise the available power, but whichever method you prefer the changes are extremely smooth and quick.

Underfoot, the brakes slow the Alhambra easily, quickly and without drama while giving good feedback and the parking brake securely held it on a steep slope.

In the driver's hands the steering is similarly very communicative, the turning circle is tight without the system being too twitchy on open roads and it did not suffer from kickback or too light a feeling when pressing on.

The chassis is reasonably balanced between comfort and good handling, but it is not a sharp as some at speed and the overall handling is neutral and reassuringly surefooted.

Secondary controls are closely placed to aid the driver and the instruments are basic but clear, the heating and ventilation is straightforward and works well and you have powered windows, rain sensing wipers and lights and a lot of useful standard equipment for which you would normally pay a lot extra in rival models.

In a nutshell, it is very well equipped and good value for money.

Access is good through the conventional front doors or rear sliders in the latest model introduced towards the end of 2010, but reaching the rearmost seats is best left to the young at heart and supple of shape.

The seats are a little on the small side for my taste but they are sensibly shaped and have good adjustment as well as being comfortable although lacking in ultimate support.

The Alhambra offers a reasonable luggage space when the rearmost seats are folded, but with them occupied there is barely room for one large suitcase.

All second and third row seats fold to dramatically increase total capacity of goods to nearly 2,300 litres.

Visibility is quite good all round with a massive sunroof in particular, noise levels are low, and the overall impression is of a very well engineered, developed and equipped people carrier which does not compromise its purpose as a load carrier at the same time.