Seat Tarraco review

You sit relatively high in the Tarraco, looking down on people in their hatchbacks and smaller SUVs. Pull up alongside a Range Rover, though, and suddenly it'll be you that feels looked down on.

There’s plenty of adjustment to the steering wheel and the driver's seat, letting you set up everything just how you like it; even adjustable lumbar support is standard, with electric seat adjustment, including a memory function, standard from FR trim. 

There are some silly touch-sensitive buttons for the climate controls instead of simple physical knob and switches. There are plenty of rivals that stick with at least some physical buttons, including the Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V and Kia Sorento (this does have some touch-sensitive buttons for less significant functions), and they just make life easier when you're driving along.

On the plus side, the Tarraco's standard digital instruments are clear and easy to arrange in different styles depending on your preference.

Your view of the road ahead is excellent and, while bulky rear pillars compromise a little of your over-the-shoulder vision, all Tarracos have rear parking sensors to help with manoeuvring. Front sensors appear from FR trim and FR Sport adds a 360-deg camera. 

Every version comes with bright LED headlights and front fog lights. 

An 8.3in touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, is standard on all trims. The latter means you can use your smartphone apps as a sat-nav among other things, so the in-built navigation that comes with the bigger 9.3in screen (from SE Technology) isn't essential. Every version also comes with three USB-C sockets and an eight-speaker stereo.

Whatever the screen size, the system has many menus and sub-menus and these can take some learning, but it's easier to get your head around than the Citroën C5 Aircross's or Peugeot 5008's systems, and it's more responsive; there’s barely any delay once you press an icon. However, the touchscreen is more distracting to use when you’re driving than the rotary dial controller fitted to the rival Mazda CX-5.

The Tarraco’s interior may not look as special as the Peugeot 5008’s, but it’s a definite step up from that of other Seats, such as the Ateca. Its tactile, soft-touch materials are comparable with those found in the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

If you search for them, you’ll find some hard, cheaper-feeling plastics, but they’re generally restricted to low-down places and away from the areas you regularly touch. The buttons and switches, meanwhile, are all nicely damped and a pleasure to use.

Next: Passenger & boot space >