Seat Tarraco

SEAT has enjoyed a little Spanish sunshine when it comes to recent new car sales in the UK compared to most of its rivals. That looks set to continue into 2019 with the arrival of this new Tarraco SUV. The Tarraco rounds out Seat’s range of lifestyle models, sitting above the Ateca in size, space and price. It’s an obvious move for the company and an easy one thanks to it sharing most of its underpinnings with the Skoda Kodiaq.

Don’t dismiss the Tarraco as just a rebadged Skoda, however. There are plenty of differences in the details, not least the styling of this Seat, which the firm proudly states is the first to show off the new family look that will be seen on future models.

As for the Tarraco’s engine line-up, you have a choice of 1.5 and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines. Offering 150 or 190bhp respectively, when you head out on the road it’s obvious why the smaller engine will make up the bulk of sales.

Where the 2.0-litre promises more performance, it comes with four-wheel drive and a DSG twin-clutch, semi-automatic gearbox as standard that both blunt its advantage. We also found the 2.0-litre needs to be worked harder than is aurally comfortable to make decent progress.

Instead, you should take the 1.5 with its front-wheel drive and six-speed manual gearbox to enjoy a car that’s much lighter on its toes. It feels peppier and 0-to-60mph in 9.7 seconds doesn’t feel that far off the 2.0-litre’s 8.0-second dash. The steering on the smaller engine car also offers a modicum of extra feel.

There’s a pair of turbo-diesels comprising 150 and 190bhp versions of the usual VW Group 2.0-litre unit. The 150bhp can be had with a six-speed