SEAT Tarraco 2019: prices, specification and release date

This is the new SEAT Tarraco, a large SUV that sits at the top of the Spanish manufacturer’s range. The new car goes up against rivals including the Volkswagen Tiguan (and Tiguan Allspace), Hyundai Santa Fe, Skoda Kodiaq and Ford Edge. Order books are open now, with deliveries having started in early 2019; prices start at £28,320.

The SEAT Tarraco shares mechanical underpinnings with the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Kodiaq, but is around 4cm longer than its relatives. The car is to be built alongside the Tiguan at Volkswagen’s factory in Wolfsburg, Germany.

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The new SUV's looks are a development of SEAT’s current styling language, with a bold grille, strong bodywork lines and full LED lighting all round. Inside, the SEAT Tarraco takes a more premium approach than previous SEAT SUVs, with a new dashboard design that features wood trim and a new infotainment screen mounted in a modern tablet-like style. The Tarraco also gets a 10.25-inch screen behind the steering wheel in place of traditional dials. The SEAT Tarraco is offered with seven-seats as standard.

SEAT Tarraco engines

Two four-cylinder petrol engines are offered from launch: a 148bhp 1.5-litre and a 187bhp 2.0-litre. The former comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, while the latter gets a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and four-wheel drive.

A 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel is offered in 148 or 187bhp versions; the first can be specified with a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive or a dual-clutch automatic with four-wheel drive, with the more powerful engine limited to the automatic/four-wheel-drive combination. Official performance, fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures are yet to be announced.

The inevitable arrival of a plug-in hybrid version of the SEAT Tarraco is expected in 2020. While the Tarraco is the largest car in the SEAT range, it’s possible that the company may introduce its own version of a coupe-like SUV that’s currently being developed for its sister brand, CUPRA, to sit at the top of the range.

SEAT Tarraco trim levels and prices

The SEAT Tarraco is available to order in four trim levels: SE, SE Technology, XCELLENCE and XCELLENCE LUX. All models come as standard with metallic paint, DAB radio, ‘Full Link’ (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity), 17-inch alloy wheels, an alarm and three-zone climate control. The entry-level model is the Tarraco SE 1.5 TSI Evo, starting at £28,320.

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SE Technology trim adds sat-nav, rear privacy glass and 18-inch alloys; prices start at £29,330 with the 1.5 TSI engine. A step up to XCELLENCE (£30,410) trim adds a wireless charger, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera, electric tailgate, 19-inch alloys and Alcantara upholstery.

XCELLENCE LUX trim tops the range, starting at £32,135 with the 1.5-litre petrol engine. This adds a top-view camera system, 20-inch alloys, leather upholstery and a winter equipment pack to the spec of the standard XCELLENCE.

SEAT Tarraco UK First Editions

In addition to the standard range, a number of UK First Edition models will be offered for a limited time, adding a little extra standard equipment. The SEAT Tarraco SE Technology First Edition 1.5 TSI Evo is the cheapest at £30,475 and adds a rear view camera, safe driving pack, wireless phone charger and tinted windows to the standard SE Technology specification.

The XCELLENCE First Edition costs £33,260 with the 1.5-litre petrol engine or £34,745 with the lower-powered 2.0-litre diesel. It adds 20-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, winter pack and safe driving pack to the standard XCELLENCE model’s specification.

The Tarraco XCELLENCE First Edition Plus can be had with a 2.0-litre diesel with a DSG automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive for £40,075. This trim adds a Beats stereo and electric driver’s seat to the specification.

Read more about the SEAT Tarraco here.