SEAT’s new Alhambra people carrier is surely as luxurious a car as the Spanish firm has ever offered writes Peter Carroll.

It’s also huge enough to merit its inevitable nickname of El Gordo – ‘the big one’.

The big MPV, is based on the VW Sharan’s floorpan, and offers ample room for seven adults and, unusually for this type of car, a reasonable boot too.

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While UK prices start at around £22,000, SEAT sent a top spec SE Lux model for me to test which turned out to be a proper gadget lovers’ paradise.

I was constantly discovering new electronic features like the automatically-dipping headlights – the sort of feature previously available only in models from prestige brands like Mercedes-Benz.

To give an idea of the spec on El Gordo, the following are all standard: leather trim, electrically-adjusting front seats, power operated rear doors and tailgate, bluetooth, satellite navigation, privacy glass, and three-zone climate control.

This is by no means an exhaustive list and the only extra most owners need consider is metallic paint at £600.

The Alhambra may look similar to any other MPV in pictures but don’t be fooled: it’s bigger than you might imagine and with a long wheelbase too.

Therefore, care needs to be taken while parking and on tight bends. Luckily, the SE Lux has a reversing camera, again standard, which took most of the strain out of parking the Spanish behemoth.

The benefits of the Alhambra’s giant dimensions become clear as soon as you step inside the cabin. There’s bags of room for three adults in the back with levels of both head and leg room being generous.

Everyone gets an individually shaped seat and the electric doors open at the touch of a button. The third row has less space but it’s hardly tight back there.

The boot is OK for shopping trips but you’ll need to fold down one or more of the seats if the intention is to lug more substantial loads.

This process can be achieved using one hand and when all five rear seats are down there’s a cavernous 2,297 litres of space available.

The cabin is pleasant and airy, thanks to the large windows. Visibility is mostly good, thanks to the raised driving position, but the chunky B pillars at either side do get in the way.

Seat comfort is good and drivers should be able to cover long distances without becoming tired.

I found the cruise control feature useful on motorway trips: you set it at a certain speed and the car returns to this level automatically if you need to accelerate to overtake the car in front.

The test model came with a two-litre diesel engine which was smooth and punchy – the SEAT can hit 60mph in under ten seconds. And it’s pretty economical too.

I found the Alhambra capable of returning 45mpg plus on a run – not bad for a car of this size – and consumption levels suffer only if you make a lot of short journeys.

The big SEAT lacks the cosseting ride of some of the French people carriers – but makes up for this with its commendable lack of roll through bends.

Overall, the Alhambra’s blend of space, comfort and luxury features could well take many people by surprise.

There’s is a price to pay for all this luxury, though, and you’re going to be looking at over £30,000 for the SE Lux flagship, which some may feel is a lot for a SEAT.

El Gordo is a quality car though, and there’s perhaps better value to be had lower down the range – as even base models are well-equipped.