Seat Alhambra and Renault Espace, with seven seats and a full complement of connectivity and driving aids, choose the title of best large MPV.

Seat Alhambra and Renault Espace MPVs are two carrying two decades ringing in the ears of those who need a large vehicle, valid seven people and they do not want to hear about from industrial to passengers. In this time they have evolved so much that its essence has been transformed towards a dynamic behavior close to that of a passenger car, yet refinement similar to that of saloons and all without losing the inner modularity which he characterized them, allowing advance or retard the seats, remove to increase trunk space or, of course, overcome the barrier of the five occupants on board.

However, in the last update we have witnessed a radical differentiation between the two. While Seat Alhambra stays true to the orthodoxy of family vehicles, at Renault Espace has opted for a more aspirational spirit and put greater emphasis on exclusivity, with elements of luxury saloons at the cost of some functionality. This theory is endorsed by reducing vertical space inside traditionally one of the distinctive elements of Renault Espace- and the inclusion of elements such as the four-wheel steering that give agility exceptional for a vehicle of 4,85 m.

Renault Espace framing and Seat Alhambra

Its dimensions distance themselves from the most familiar alternatives. Thus, the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso Opel Zafira Tourer or are more compact, the Volkswagen Caravelle / Mercedes Viano and larger Peugeot Jumpy less refined. In fact, just the Ford S-Max / Galaxy or Fiat Freemont could eventually become familiar valid alternatives to our players attending its dimensions, approach and execution.

The interior measurements indicate how the Renault Espace is more suitable for five passengers seven. So the second row is more generous in terms of space that the third and possibly it will have exceptional use, always with people of short stature. Instead, the Seat Alhambra is more balanced because although yields somewhat in the second row, It offers more capacity in the third and its trunk is more capable. In any case, both have individual seats that may gain or lose 16 cm favoring space in one of the rows or to any of the occupants.

The Seat Alhambra also gains in access, at least as far as the rear seats occupied and luggage compartment and sliding side doors that make it easier to enter and leave only the car or introduce smaller in their restraints. However, the lower part of the door is quite prominent and may pose some difficulty for people with disabilities, which would have to raise more knees on the French model.

Renault Espace dynamic behavior and Seat Alhambra

160 and 150 hp, our players are able to cope with the daily hassle, accelerating enough power and can keep up travel without any problems. Nevertheless, If we were to circulate heavily loaded cars, we might miss some extra horses to gain speed on steep slopes more inclined, for example, to overtake a slower vehicle. This desire for greater forcefulness has better solution in the Seat Alhambra, which includes in its catalog a variant of 184 hp, but fact is that the automatic EDC double clutch -of the only possibility in the 160 hp Renault Espace reduces all marches it takes to remove the 1.6 full force.

Demanded the maximum, the Renault Espace is not as fast as the Seat Alhambra and spends more, which together with a smaller tank will result in more frequent refueling stops, but remains at levels of dynamism more than acceptable and automatic change favors tranquility of reducing stress driving in urban driving.

Both can mount a variable suspension firmness and wide low profile tires. It was the case of the units tested. Hence best stopping distances have been excellent, almost at the level of a sports car. However, his touch is quite different: more assisted the Renault Espace and somewhat firmer, more modular, the Seat Alhambra. It also has a more sophisticated suspension, which controls body movements while driving more effectively in areas of deteriorated asphalt and in its strongest position allows circular rhythms “unfamiliar” significantly reducing rolling in areas curves.

Nevertheless, Seat Alhambra would not be as agile as the Renault Espace if it were equipped with the system 4Control. This device makes the rear wheels run on the vertical axis either in the same direction as the front or in the opposite function of the speed, improving manageability, both when parking or move between columns of a parking as especially while driving itself, which seems smaller than it actually is.

Renault Espace and prices for Seat Alhambra

While the fare difference is overwhelmingly in favor of the Alhambra In addition -beneficiado for a discount of 4,000 euros mark, the fact is that the advantage is not so decisive. The reason is that the Renault Espace, especially in the finish Initiale Paris, It provides a very sophisticated equipment in which items are included in the Seat Alhambra would be optional as the automatic, motorized opening or suspension boot variable firmness, LED headlights or leather seats. It also incorporates other control and cruise with braking function or the four-wheel steering not available in the Alhambra, which despite everything is cheaper.

However, rather than the price difference, which can be the preference of the public may have to do with the idiosyncrasies of each of our protagonists: More practical and Germanic Seat Alhambra, Y more sophisticated, more refined and exclusive interior, the Renault Espace, While both are two of the best big minivans that can be found today.

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