Hauling
my 24ft caravan 250 miles to the New Forest seemed a straight forward enough
task for a seven seat SUV until I read the pre delivery spec for the Seat
Tarraco.
Surely
a three-cylinder 1.5 petrol was a mistake? Towbars are always matched with a
diesel and Seat has an able 2-litre in its armoury. A call to Katie in the Seat
press office confirmed I was getting the petrol model...and to stop worrying!
I
know this engine well from various Seat, Volkswagen and Skoda test cars but
didn't figure it as a capable tow car. Did I need to be bothered? Of course not
it towed like a dream, cruising effortlessly and with a good punch of
acceleration on climbs. Humble pie eaten.
Modern
day automatics are the best solution for towing taking away the drudgery of
constant gear changing and tricky hill starts and the Tarraco's seven speed DSG
was always in the right gear at the right time.
Most
of the drive was dual carriageway and motorway and Tarraco was always stable in
crosswinds and while overtaking big artics when you can be troubled with sway. Oh
I did like towing with this car.
If
there was a downside it was economy. For a while we were ticking over at around
24mpg but a check at journeys end showed just over 22mpg. The 2-litre diesel
would probably have managed 27-28mpg but then diesel costs more so the
difference is marginal.
That's
towing done and dusted but how does Tarraco measure up in everyday life? Seven
seats tells you it is a big car but it does not drive like a big car. Seat has
always been the sporty arm in the VAG group so it drives a little firmer than
its Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace cousins although they share the
same platform and mechanicals.
This
is good because Tarraco stays tight through twisting and undulating roads and
we came across plenty driving around the New Forest. It does not absorb bumps
quite as well as Kodiaq or the seven seat Peugeot 5008 but is only a minor
point.
Inside
is practical rather than eye catching with a clear digital driver's binnacle
which includes a central block for information or a small navigation screen all
easily selected from steering wheel buttons.
The
central 8in touchscreen sits high so is in the driver's eye line and although
there are lots of menus and sub menus they are easy to fathom and helped by
short cut buttons. The graphics are sharp and quick to respond.
Tarraco
has been thoughtfully designed as a big family car with sensible touches like
door bins big enough to take things like a litre bottle, pop up tables on the
front seat backs so children can do what they do to while away the time on long
journeys. There are Isofix points on the front passsenger seat and the outer
seats on the middle row but not in the third row where children are likely to
sit.
That
third row is best suited for children because space is tight for an adult and
headroom is not that great although a grown up could cope with a short journey.
The only car in the class that can take adults comfortably is the Kia Sorento.
Tarraco
does well for load space with the third row folded and even has room for a
couple of carry on cases with all seats
in play. Try Kodiaq if more space is needed for family holiday clutter.
The
Spaniard does well when it comes to value for money although it would do even
better if it was offered as a five seater which it is not. There are six trim
levels with entry SE good for LED headlights, 8in touchscreen, digital cockpit
and smartphone integration among the highlights. Moving up to SE Technology gives navigation
but push the boat out to Xcellence Lux and you will want for nothing in luxury
or safety.
If
you are wondering about the name it is not just a jumble of letters. Seat is
proud of its Spanish heritage and has named its cars accordingly since birth -
Marbella, Toledo, Alhambra, Ibiza and so it goes on. Tarraco is the original
name for Tarragona, a beautiful city I know well with its ancient amphitheatre
overlooking the Mediterranean.
Fast
facts
Tarraco
Xcellance Lux
£35,970 to £29,155
1.5 litre TSI turbo; 148bhp
0-62mph
9.5secs; 124mph
37.7mpg
combined
171g/km.
1st VED £870
Boot:
230; 700; 1775 litres
Towing
capacity 2000kg
Insurance
group 21
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