Should you buy one?

Reliability concerns aside, the SEAT Tarraco is an excellent all-rounder, with a lot going for it. We like its combination of sporty outlook and versatile practicality, and despite being closely related to the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, it has a character all of its own that helps is stand out in the increasingly crowded SUV market.

We think it’s attractive, with a solid-feeling interior and smart exterior styling, and we like the way it drives. The rear-most seats aren’t the most useable – even the Kodiaq’s are better – but they stow handily out of the way, giving you a big boot most of the time. There are many newer seven-seater SUVs if you’re not shopping second hand, but many of these lack the user-friendly physical buttons of this engaging SEAT.

We’d recommend the diesels as the most pragmatic choice – our long-term test of the 150hp model proving that more than adequate. But the petrols offer a dash of extra fun without less of the associated particle emissions concerns, if you can stomach the reduction in fuel economy. The all-wheel drive system seems less than necessary, but even with the occasionally annoying low-speed hesitancy, we would certainly recommend the DSG automatic as its simply less hassle in traffic. The manual gearbox is fundamentally fine, though, and likely to be a cheaper used buy, too.

What we like

The higher-powered models are effortless family haulers and load luggers, but you’ll not feel short-changed on your own when tackling a B-road. Great value when new, and looking attractive as a used proposition as well.

What we don’t like

The 1.5-litre petrol isn’t the best option if you’re regularly carrying seven or lots of luggage, and there are some cheaper plastics inside. Reported reliability issues mean you need to buy carefully, though the Tarraco owner reviews on Parkers show a rosier picture.