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Spanish SUV helps our Pete muscle in on World’s Strongest Man

OVER the Christmas period I love to sit down and watch The World’s Strongest Man on TV, but since I’ve been running the SEAT Tarraco on the Auto Express fleet, I’m thinking of entering next year’s event.

Now, before you think I must have gone insane, let me explain. The SEAT Tarraco’s huge boot means I’ve spent almost as much time lifting heavy things in and out as I have actually behind the wheel. In fact, I’ve been lugging so many weighty items, it often feels like I’ve been to the gym for a weights session.

I’m using the boot’s large dimensions as an opportunity to clear as much clutter from my house and garden as possible, so I’ve been back and forth to the local recycling centre more times than I can remember.

So far I’ve piled in large branches from a tree that I chopped down, turf that had been dug up and then left to soak in the rain, and even unwanted solid wood doors that had been sitting in the shed for years. As a result, my house is looking tidier, and my biceps are getting bigger. It’s a win-win situation.

Transporting big items means that I’ve had to put the seats up and down regularly as well, but it’s not a problem in the Tarraco, because folding them flat is a doddle. A simple pull on the lever at the top of the rear bench, which splits 60:40, causes the seats to fold with ease, meaning I can operate them with just one hand. It’s especially useful when I’m

holding a handful of branches or a heavy bag. But even though the SEAT ’s boot stands at an impressive 700 litres (rising to 1,775 litres with all the seats folded), it’s still short of the Skoda Kodiaq’s 765 litres (2,005 litres).

Automotive managing editor Stuart Milne recently borrowed the Tarraco for a family trip to France and, having previously run a Kodiaq on our test fleet, he was in a good position to compare the two large SUVs. Stuart thinks that there’s a noticeable difference between them, because he struggled to fit in everything his family needed for their holiday, whereas it wasn’t a problem in the Skoda we used to have on the fleet.

The size of the boot has been more than adequate for my needs, though, so unless you are planning on filling it to the brim, it should be large enough for most tasks.

When the Tarraco is not being used to carry heavy items, it’s acting as our regular family transport. That means it’s covering everything from short trips to the shops, to longer journeys to visit family in Wales.

Once I got used to the Tarraco’s sheer size, it’s been faultless. The Spanish car boasts a smooth ride, soaking up most potholes and road imperfections with barely a shudder, and it keeps body roll in check when travelling down a winding road. Driving dynamics may not be the most important factor for buyers of big seven-seat SUVs,

but it’s good to know that the Tarraco is certainly not devoid of fun – something that a few of its rivals can’t claim.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine only has 148bhp, but it still feels punchy and is able to disguise the car’s 1,660kg bulk without any real issues. It’s just when I go for an overtake and work it hard that I sometimes think the more powerful 187bhp unit would be the better choice, although that’s only available with Xcellence trim and above.

The cabin also suppresses road and wind noise well, even at higher speeds. Plus the seats are comfortable and I really like the high-up driving position. These factors all result in me often feeling quite relaxed at the end of a trip. The only thing I can really fault

so far is the standard equipment that comes with our mid-spec SE Technology car. I’d previously said I thought that it was the pick of the range, and I stand by that because the trim does offer almost everything I need.

However, I do find it a little strange that SE Technology is missing a reversing camera and leather seats, but does have features such as puddle lights and Audi-esque scrolling rear indicators. I’d rather SEAT included the former and excluded the latter.

While puddle lights are a nice addition and very good for impressing your friends and family, I would much rather that the company had fitted some useful equipment that would make day-to-day life with the Tarraco that little bit easier.

“I’m using the boot’s large dimensions to clear as much clutter from my house as possible”

Gym’ll fix it? Pete hasn’t needed to visit the gym, because loading up the Tarraco has given him lots of workouts

Size SEAT has plenty of room for family use or taking items to the recycling centre

WE LIKE Putting the seats up and down regularly means we really appreciate how simple it is to fold them flat, even with one hand. It’s easy to slide the middle bench to vary knee room and boot space

WE DON’T Puddle lights are a nice touch and always attract lots of comments, but they’re an odd addition to a mid-spec car. We’d much rather have more useful kit, such as a reversing camera

Cabin Our man loves the Tarraco’s high driving position and comfortable seats

Flexible Rearmost seats can be folded to create more boot space if needed