FEW family-sized multi-purpose vehicles come with such flexibility as the SEAT Alhambra and with its extremely generous list of on-board features supplied as standard, it really is excellent all-round value.

This seven-seater can actually cater for seven adults unlike many rivals where the third row seats are so small no child would ever want to be sat there.

The individual seats within the Alhambra are all fully sized and with three-zone climate control the back seat occupants can even control the temperature too.

And when they are not being used, the seats can quickly and easily be folded flat to the floor to open up a vast area for storage.

Another plus factor in the vehicle's favour is its eye-catching design.

Long gone are those box-like shapes for MPVs and the latest Alhambra features smooth lines and plenty of other snazzy features such as a panoramic glass sunroof, 17-inch alloys, smart light clusters, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, roof rails and plenty more besides.

Access is made all the easier thanks to push button power sliding rear doors and an electrically operated tailgate.

And once you take your seat - leather and heated - behind the leather multi-function steering wheel, you cannot fail to be impressed with the quality that surrounds you.

Creature comforts include a five-inch colour touchscreen, rear view camera, cruise control, automatic rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights, satellite navigation, an eight-speaker CD radio sound system with MP3 compatibility, start/stop system and much more.

The Alhambra looks great, can accommodate a five-a-side football team plus kit, and has plenty of technical wizardry, but how well does it handle?

Once again, it's all good. Despite its larger-than-life appearance, the Alhambra is actually quite nimble and the road-holding is also pretty impressive too.

In busy city centres the excellent all-round visibility is a bonus and parking sensors are a real ‘must-have' when parking such a giant.

This particular model featured Park Assist at an additional cost of £295.

It's a system that helps to detect a suitable parking space and then steers the vehicle safely into the gap. The driver accelerates and brakes - it really is that simple.

Powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine, the Alhambra was equally suited to open road motoring as it moved smoothly through the six-speed automatic transmission.

On the downside, I did find the instrumentation causes some reflective glare in the driver's window when driving late at night.

And the engine noise was a tad loud at times, but not overbearing and that issue can be easily rectified by cranking up the volume on the stereo.

SEAT has packed a comprehensive range of safety specifications into the model, such as anti-lock brakes, electronic stability programme, automatic hill hold, electronic brake assist, numerous airbags and lots more.

All in all, with its competitive asking price, good economy, excellent versatility and great handling, the Alhambra is a family-sized MPV with plenty of all-round appeal.