2021 SEAT Tarraco Review
We tested the new SEAT Tarraco 7 Seater family SUV
Review
The SEAT Tarraco is the largest member of SEAT’s SUV family which sits above the Arona and Ateca. The Tarraco rivals the likes of the Hyundai Sante Fe and Skoda Kodiaq in the medium to large family SUV market and even offers seven seats for those with larger families.
Exterior
As far as SUV’s go, the Tarraco is a stylish car. This particular model is the FR trim, which SEAT say is ‘Everything you need’. With it’s dark tinted windows, 20-inch supreme alloy wheels and full LED lighting, it brings a more premium look to the car, so you can stand out on those school runs.
There are six colour options to choose from with Urano Grey being the standard option. If you want to go for Metallic paint you’ll have to spend an additional €587. Or for Premium Metallic like our test car, which is finished in Orix White, will set you back an additional €943.
Interior
When you sit inside the Tarraco It feels like a proper SUV with the high seating position in the cabin and plenty of headroom. All models come with a full digital cockpit with this ‘floating’ tablet-style touchscreen above the centre console.
If you choose the FR trim, you will get these extremely comfortable FR bucket seats that you just sink into which is great for long journeys, especially with noisy kids in the back. Some of the materials used can feel a bit plasticky though, which is shame if you are paying for the highest level of spec available.
In the rear, there is more than enough space and headroom to go around. The second row seats slide and recline to create more space for passengers in the third row. The third row can be a tight squeeze and not exactly designed for adult passengers. But two small kids would sit here comfortably.
With the third row folded you get a whopping 700-litres if boot space. Even with the seats up there is 230-litres, which would fit a regular supermarket shop no problem.
Driving
Driving the Tarraco isn’t exactly how you would imagine. You would expect an SUV of this size to feel bulky and heavy, but the steering feels direct and suspension keeps the vehicle steady. It’s a good cruiser on the motorway, the cabin is quiet with very little road noise.
There are three drive mode options -Normal, Sport and Individual - which adapt throttle and steering, as well as gearchanges if you have gone for automatic that is. There is also Four-wheel-drive models available which offer additional modes for off-roading or dangerous conditions.
Plenty of safety equipment comes as standard, including a rear view camera, collision warning and emergency braking. Cruise control also comes standard in the entry level model.
SEAT Tarraco Price & Models
Pricing for the Tarraco start at €39,830 for the standard SE trim. The Xcellence trim then starts at €46,120. But I would suggest going for the FR version that we are testing. For just an additional €515 you get the 20-inch alloys, the FR Bucket seats and adaptive cruise control.
If you want to add the additional 2 seats in the back, it’s going to cost you between €835 and €1,800 depending on the trim.
You can chose from a 1.5-litre petrol engine or the 2.0 Diesel which we tested.
Verdict:
So should you buy a SEAT Tarraco? If you are looking for a roomy, practical family SUV with plenty of space for good value, it should be one to consider.
It comes up against stiff competition with the likes of the Hyundai Sante Fe, Skoda Kodiaq, Peugeot 5008 and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace which are all popular choices in this market.
All in however, the SEAT Tarraco is a well-priced family SUV and is definitely a worth considering, particularly for those looking for a seven seat option.
Model: SEAT Tarraco FR 7 Seat
Engine: 2.0 TDI
Fuel Type: Diesel
Test Car Price: €48,300
Motor Tax: €270
Colour: Orix White (Premium Metallic)
CO2(Combined): 148 g/km (WLTP)