• Generous space in the first two rows
• Large, flexible boot with extra seats
• But third row is less roomy than the Kodiaq

How much space is there?

We can assure you that passengers in the first two rows of the SEAT Tarraco won’t be complaining. Up front, adjustment in the seats is generous, and with plenty of leg and headroom. It’s a similar story in the middle row, with space for three adults across the bench – although it’s worth pointing out there aren’t three individual seats. Still, the bench slides and tilts so you can adjust the positioning to get more comfortable or increase space behind as necessary.

We found getting into the third row a bit of a faff. The middle seats don’t go quite far enough forwards, so unlucky passengers needed to clamber over them, and there isn’t an awful lot of room when you get back there – mainly because there’s not much space for your feet.

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If you’re any taller than a fairly small child, the middle row will need to remain slid forwards. So the third row is fine for occasional use, but the rear windows are also small and could cause a bit of claustrophobia. The equivalent (first generation) Skoda Kodiaq – which we’ve directly compared as part of our Tarraco long-term test – has slightly more room and larger rear side windows.

Boot space and storage

At the back, SEAT claims the Tarraco’s boot measures at 700 litres with the third row of seats folded into the floor, a figure that falls to 230 litres with the third row in place. A false floor behind these with space to store the load cover underneath creates a continuously flat surface in five-seater mode, maximising practicality.

The second row seats fold down easily, too, and though this doesn’t create a totally flat space right through to the front of the cabin, the seat back is split 40/20/40, adding extra versatility. There are storage cubbies throughout the cabin, with a flexible area for bottles and cups in the centre console, large door bins and a big glovebox.

Is it easy to park?

While at over 4.7m in length the Tarraco is certainly not small, parking it isn’t too traumatic thanks to good all-round visibility and easy to judge extremities. The steering is light enough to make close manoeuvres easy to handle as well.

There are parking sensors on the rear bumper as standard on all models, while FR models and above get automatic parking capability. The reversing camera available could perhaps be higher resolution, but this and the offered 360-degree surround view camera system will make getting into most spaces a doddle.

Safety

• All Tarracos come with a good amount of safety kit
• Five-star crash safety rating from Euro NCAP
• Should prove a safe family car

The SEAT Tarraco comes with an extensive list of safety equipment as standard across the range, which has contributed to its five-star crash safety rating from Euro NCAP. This does date from date from 2019, and the testing has got tougher since, but this should still look after you if the worst happens.

Afterall it comes with seven airbags, as well as active front headrests to reduce the impact of whiplash in a rear-end collision. Front assist measures the distance to the car in front and provides a warning if you’re getting too close, with autonomous emergency braking available if it detects an imminent collision.

Lane assist is also standard, while higher-spec models come with adaptive cruise control fitted. In the event of a collision, an eCall system notifies the emergency services, while tiredness recognition also recommends breaks if it detects erratic driving.

Isofix points are fitted to the two outer seats in the middle row, as well as the passenger seat in the front.