Nearly new buying guide: Seat Tarraco

Road and wind noise are both very well suppressed from inside the cabin, and all the power choices are smooth and refined, meaning that progress is easy-going, especially in the cars equipped with the dual-clutch automatic gearbox. 

The driving position is multi-adjustable and should suit all. The dashboard is a paragon of simplicity, with easy-to-use buttons and logically laid out switchgear. An 8.0in touchscreen, with sat-nav and DAB radio, is standard on all trims. Thanks to good use of soft-touch, tactile materials, the interior of the Tarraco feels quite upmarket.

There’s plenty of space, too, with second-row seats that both slide and recline. Only in the third row do you have to compromise on space: children should be happy but growing teenagers and adults will not want to spend long back there. The boot, meanwhile, is big and easy to access, although the Peugeot 5008 does have a larger capacity.

Buyer beware

Engine: Some of the diesel engines are down on low-speed torque. It’s worth having a good test drive before buying one thus equipped. This was also the subject of an official recall, so check with a dealer to see if any remedial work has been carried out. 

Interior: Owners have reported that sometimes it can take a while for Apple CarPlay to connect. The built-in sat-nav can be prone to stalling and freezing, too. 

Recalls: There have been two recall notices issued so far, in addition to the torque-related issue mentioned above. Check with your dealer that any remedial work has been done. The recalls have been for the fuel tank, the thickness of which wasn’t up to standard in some cases, and there is a possibility that, due to a manufacturing error, there is a crack on the frame of the left-hand front seat.

Reliability: Other than the recalls above, few other serious problems have been reported with the Tarraco so far. However, the model only finished in 17th place out of 24 cars featured in the large SUV class in our sister magazine What Car?’s most recent Reliability Survey. Seat as a whole has a pretty good overall record for reliability, though the Spanish brand also finished in 17th place out of 30 manufacturers in the same survey. 

Need to know

Tarraco prices start from around £22,000 for a 2018 1.5 petrol; larger petrols and diesels cost a bit more. Pay £23,000-£27,000 for a good-condition, low-mileage, full-history 2019 Tarraco at a franchised dealer, and upwards of £27,000 for a good 2020 example. A 2021 car will cost from £30,000. 

The most economical model is the 2.0 TDI 150, with a WLTP figure of 57.6mpg. The 2.0 TDI 190 claims 50.4mpg. The most frugal petrol is the TSI 150, with 42.8mpg. 

All Tarracos have been registered after April 2017 so will be taxed at a flat rate, currently £155 a year. Check if the price of the Tarraco you’re buying sneaked above £40,000 new, because it will attract a supplementary luxury car tax of £335 a year, currently, for five years from years two to six.

Our top spec

SE Technology: The Tarraco is pretty well equipped but we’d go for the SE Technology trim on earlier cars. It has climate control, auto wipers, sat-nav, 18in wheels, tinted rear windows and a rear-view camera.

Our pick

1.5 TSI 150: Unless you plan to do big miles or always have a full load, we’d look for a 1.5 petrol in 148bhp form (badged TSI 150). It’s smooth and refined and provides a good blend of performance and economy.