Used Seat Tarraco 2018-present review

Seat may have been a little late to the SUV party but it’s made up for that with the quality and the individuality of its offerings. The family-sized Seat Ateca shot straight to the top of its class when it was launched in 2016, and the smaller Seat Arona impressed us nearly as much with its driving abilities and roomy interior.

What was missing was a larger, seven-seat SUV, and to fill that void in 2018 the firm served up the chisel-jawed and capacious Tarraco. Designed by Seat but based on the underpinnings of similar and existing VW group products – and even manufactured on the same production line in Germany – the Tarraco has the firm’s sporty and more youthful ethos to distinguish it from its siblings.

Engines: Under the bonnet, new buyers could have chosen from petrol or diesel-engined options. The petrols are a 148bhp 1.5-litre or a 187bhp 2.0-litre; the diesels a 2.0-litre unit in two differing states of tune, either 148bhp or 187bhp, later upped to 197bhp. A six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, along with front-wheel drive, but a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic ’box and four-wheel drive were also available from new.

Trims and equipment: Trim-wise, entry-level SE models are reasonably equipped, with 17in alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, automatic wipers and power-folding door mirrors. There’s also an SE Technology trim, which includes sat-nav and upmarket features such as 18in wheels and tinted rear windows. Xcellence trim adds keyless entry and go, adaptive cruise control, a hands-free electric tailgate and a system that will steer the car into parking spaces for you, while Xcellence Lux specification includes heated front and rear seats.

Ride and handling: On the road, the 1.5 petrol-engined car is smooth and quiet and fast enough for most purposes, but it can feel a little underpowered occasionally, while the 2.0-litre is a brisk performer. However, the abstemious diesels both have more low-down grunt.

Seat’s earlier SUVs had a reputation for taut handling and the Tarraco is no exception. The suspension setup is on the firm side, so it keeps this large and heavy SUV in check in corners, with little body lean.

The flip side is a ride that can occasionally be unsettled, especially by dips and crests in the road, but, for the most part, this car rides well and smothers everyday potholes and imperfections, especially if you can find one fitted with the standard (18in) wheels.

Road and wind noise are both very well contained, too, and all the power choices are smooth and refined, meaning that progress is easy-going, especially in the cars equipped with an automatic gearbox.

Interior and practicality: Inside, 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 up-market.

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

If you're interested in buying a used Seat Tarraco, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our used car classifieds site here.

Tarracos kick off with 2019 models. Prices for the Tarraco start at around £15,000, this for a 1.5 petrol-engined car of that vintage. Spend a fraction more on the larger petrol engine or the diesel-engined cars. Look to splash out between £17,000 and £23,000 on a good condition, low mileage, full service history 2020 or 2021 Tarraco of any type, and around £23,000 on a good 2021 or 2022 car. Look to fork out around £28,000 to £30,000 on a 2023 model.

MPG

On paper, the most economical Tarraco is the 2.0 TDI 150 diesel version, with an official WLTP fuel consumption of 57.6mpg. Meanwhile, the 2.0 TDI 190 claims 50.4mpg. The best-forming petrol is the 1.5 TSI 150 car, which claims 42.8mpg.

Road tax

All Tarracos will have been registered after the tax changes of April 2017 came into force, so will be taxed at a flat rate, currently £180 a year. Beware the cost of the Tarraco you’re buying having sneaked above £40,000 new, because it will attract a supplementary luxury car tax of £390 a year, currently, for five years.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance groups have been kept low, so premiums shouldn’t be outlandish, and Seat offers a number of highly competitive servicing plans that will help to spread the cost of maintenance.

Unless you plan to do big miles or cart around a fully loaded Tarraco all the time, in which case we’d urge you to seek out the 2.0 diesel-engined car, we’d look for a 1.5 petrol in its 148bhp (TSI 150) form, which is really smooth and refined and provides a good blend of performance and economy.

As far as trims go, although the Tarraco is pretty well equipped as standard we’d seek out the SE Technology version, which comes with climate control, automatic wipers, sat-nav and upmarket features such as 18in wheels and tinted rear windows

Our favourite Seat Tarraco: 1.5 TSI 150 SE Technology

The Tarraco’s most obvious rival is probably the Peugeot 5008. This sharply styled seven-seat SUV is both practical and desirable, and its quality and image are a real cut above the rest in this class. It’s great value used, too, to add to its versatile seating, sophisticated driving experience and first-rate safety credentials.

The Skoda Kodiaq is a sister under the skin of the Tarraco. It’s good looking, well priced, with a classy and spacious interior and good driving manners. Those looking for a dependable seven-seat SUV should definitely consider one.

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If you're interested in buying a used Seat Tarraco, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to our used car classifieds site here.