SEAT Tarraco - Should you buy one? 2020

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SEAT Design boss Alejandro Mesonero says that the styling of this Tarraco gives 'a hint' to the company's future styling direction.

By that, he presumably means that the slightly different design approach that this SUV features in its headlamps and front grille will in future be replicated on other models. The Spaniard claims that the aesthetics will make 'a strong first impression'; you may disagree. What's not up for debate though is that this is a fairly substantial thing by class standards. Measuring in a 4,735mm long and 1,658mm tall, it's 38mm longer than its Skoda Kodiaq class cousin.

That and the 2.8m wheelbase facilitate a roomy cabin. And quite a sophisticated-looking one, thanks primarily to a 10.25-inch digital instrument binnacle and the placement of a 'floating' 8-inch infotainment screen on top of the dashboard. The 10.25-inch digital instrument display you'll view through the steering wheel allows drivers to access everything from classic information found on analogue dials to full-colour maps and navigation. Controlling the information provided is simple and requires the driver to merely press the steering wheel-mounted 'View' control button to scroll through the three different available main displays. What else? Well 2nd row seat room is aided by that long wheelbase, but the third row will suit children only. Out back, there's 700-litre of luggage space, which increases to 1,775-litres when all the seats are folded.

Cost of Ownership
The headline engine is SEATs well regarded 1.5 TSI petrol turbo unit and it should certainly prove to be very frugal. Expect the 150PS version to manage just over 40mpg on the combined cycle and just under 150g/km of CO2. Obviously, the 150PS 2.0-litre TDI diesel will be much better. Expect about 50mpg and about 145g/km. For the 2.0 TSI 4x4 auto petrol variant, you're looking at just under 40mpg and around 170g/km. And for the 2.0 TDI 190PS DSG auto diesel version, the readings will be around 48mpg and about 152g/km. If frugality is everything, you'll want to consider the PHEV variant which mates a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine with an 85kW electric motor and a 13 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This derivative offers a 31 mile all-eolectric driving range and boasts WLTP-rated CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km.

All models get an automatic stop & start system to cut the engine when you don't need it, stuck in traffic or waiting at the lights.

If you want to go further, then you'll need to talk to your SEAT dealer about the Plug-in hybrid variant that's been developed as part of the model range. This, the company claims, will offer an electric driving range of 31 miles and a CO2 output of less than 50g/km of CO2. What else? Well there's SEAT's usual three year/60,000 mile warranty. That's unexceptional when rivals like Hyundai offer five years of cover as standard and Kia offers up to seven years. However, the SEAT deal is extendable, so you might be able to negotiate on that. And it includes two years of Europe-wide roadside assistance. SEAT dealers also offer an 'It's Fixed!' low cost servicing programme. To even out the cost of regular maintenance, you can take up fixed price servicing packages for up to three scheduled halts and they go with the car when you sell it if the balance has still to be used.

Summary
The Tarraco won't make anything like the same impact its smaller Ateca stablemate did when it was launched back in 2016, but it does bring something of that model's dynamic feel to a market segment that really needs a more dynamically-orientated product.

We don't think the styling's especially dynamic but that's a subjective call. What can't be denied is that there's a lot to like here for larger families wanting a spacious 7-seat mid-sized SUV with a sportier demeanour: agile handling, state-of-the-art technology, versatility, functionality and plenty of cabin space. Mind you, every other rival in this segment claims to have all these attributes too. It'll be interesting to see how the Tarraco slots in to its sector. Over to you.