New Seat Tarraco vs Peugeot 5008

Space and practicality

Front space, rear space, seating flexibility, boot

Both cars have seven seats, divided across three rows: two at the front, three in the middle and two at the back. The three in the middle row can be folded down independently of one another, while the rearmost two can also be folded away into the boot floor when they aren’t required.

But there are some key differences. Let’s start with the seats in middle row, which in the 5008 are each of equal width and can be slid back and forth individually, allowing you to free up knee room for people sitting in the third row when needed. The middle-row seats in the Tarraco have a sliding function, too, but only move in a 60/40 split, plus the centre seat is narrower than the outer two, so it isn’t especially comfortable to sit on.

What’s more, only the Tarraco’s outer middle-row seats have Isofix mounting points, whereas all three in the 5008 can take a child seat. Mind you, the Tarraco does have a third mounting point on its front passenger seat, so both cars have three Isofix points in total.

Slide the middle-row seats all the way back in both cars and you’ll find there’s significantly more knee room in the 5008. There’s more head room, too, although still just about enough in the Tarraco so that a six-footer won’t need to duck. It’s also worth noting that our test Tarraco was equipped with a panoramic sunroof (£960), which didn’t help matters. Add this option to the 5008 and rear head room becomes notably bad.

You won’t look very elegant clambering into the third row of either car, but once you’ve managed to get back there, you’ll find lots more leg and head room in the 5008. The rearmost seats in the Tarraco are strictly for emergencies and no more accommodating than those in a Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

The 5008 wins for boot space, too. In seven-seat mode, its leftover luggage space is more usable, thanks to a flat floor, whereas in the Tarraco there’s an annoying hump to work around. Meanwhile, in five-seat mode and with the second row slid all the way back, the 5008’s boot is taller, longer and, in the main, wider. We managed to fit 10 carry-on suitcases below the tonneau cover, compared with just eight in the Tarraco.

Peugeot 5008

If you need regular seating for more than five people, the 5008 is a much roomier choice. It has a bigger boot, too.

Boot 702-2150 litres  Suitcases 10

Seat Tarraco

Head room in the third row is very poor. The Tarraco loses out to the 5008 when it comes to middle-row space, too.

Boot 700-1775 litres  Suitcases 8

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