Seat Tarraco test drive: a name from the people

A large Spanish SUV shines not only with a stylish appearance, but also with useful qualities

Three good things - now this also applies to the outgrown VW compact SUV models, which are also available in seven-seater versions. After Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tiguan Allspace introduce the Seat Tarraco to the European market.

The name of the model is the old name of the Catalan city of Tarragona, and how it is obtained can serve as a guide for a successful marketing campaign. People from Seat organize a poll on the condition that the name is related to the geography of Spain.

More than 130 people responded and sent 000 proposals. Initially, nine of them were selected, and four advanced to the final - Alboran, Aranda, Avila and Tarraco. More than 10 people took part in the voting, of which 130 percent voted for Tarraco.

As such, a few months before its premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October 2018, Seat Tarraco has already become known to millions of people, and this has certainly contributed to the brand's successful sales, which have grown significantly in the last months of 2019.

The first impression of the car's exterior comes from Seat's rather restrained style, with clean accentuated lines along the length and width of the body and triangular structures in the lighting area. The front grille has been enlarged, but it's nowhere near the menacing look that some other brands have recently taken on. According to the company, the Tarraco's characteristics will be adopted by other models as part of the brand's identity and recognition.

Goodbye compact class

Although technically a smaller compact derivative, the SUV over 4,70 m in length does not fit into the image of a compact class, but is perceived more as a full-fledged family car for everyday life and leisure.

A seven-seater car is also suitable for large companies It is worth noting that not only small children, but also quite adult passengers up to 1,80 m in height can travel on two folding seats in the third row.

The Tarraco's instrument cluster is neatly arranged, with controls displayed on a 10,2-inch screen, infotainment functions including navigation are controlled by an 8-inch touchscreen in the middle. All modern security systems, as well as autonomous parking, traffic jams, etc., are available as standard or at an additional cost.

The Tarraco will initially be available with four engines: a 1,5-liter petrol with 150 hp, a 2,0-liter petrol with 190 hp. and two two-liter diesels with a capacity of 150 and 190 hp. The more powerful units are paired with a 7-speed DSG and dual transmission, and for the weaker diesel they can be ordered for around $ 4.

The spacious interior fully meets the expectations for the spaciousness and comfort of placement, the boot volume varies from 230 liters in a seven-seater configuration to 1920 liters with the seats folded down as much as possible.

The steering response is not sporty, but not phlegmatic either; the body does not tilt much when cornering, the suspension copes well with the impact of unevenness on the asphalt. Even with a sharp press on the gas pedal, the DSG transmission shifts gears almost imperceptibly; noise cancellation is also very good for its class.

In a word - a great car for family trips. Road behavior tests have shown that the Tarraco can offer a performance that is far beyond what is acceptable for a family outing.

Off road

We have long been accustomed to the idea that the relationship of modern SUVs with real SUVs is only visual. In principle, this is the case, but Seat specialists were convinced that the Tarraco is capable of overcoming light, rough terrain, as can be seen in the test photos (title photo). For this, a ground clearance of 20 cm is enough; an escapement system is standard on all dual transmission versions.

From 2020 Tarraco is available in a plug-in hybrid version. It is powered by a 1,4 liter petrol engine with 150 hp. in combination with an 85 kW electric motor with a system power of 245 hp

The 13 kWh battery provides a pure electric range of up to 50 km and reduces CO2 emissions to less than 50 g / km (according to preliminary WLTP data). It is expected that this will further increase interest in Tarraco, which, in addition to the popular name, will now be able to boast of belonging to the fashionable green wave.

Against the backdrop of the size and quality of the car shown in the test, the price seems acceptable - even compared to the traditionally cheap competitor in the European market from Škoda. The base price of a well-equipped Xcellence-level vehicle is $42.

The most expensive extras are a sunroof ($1200) and a navigation system ($1200), which may have a cheaper option ($460). Thus, in addition to the traditional Seat advantages for connoisseurs of style, Tarraco also has the advantages of a pragmatic and rational choice.

And for those who are still passionate about the traditional belief that manufacturing quality depends on the location of the plant, we can tell you in confidence that although the car was designed in Martorell, Tarraco is produced in Wolfsburg along with the Tiguan Allspace.