Two years ago, Spanish car makers SEAT didn't have any crossover SUV's in their range. Now, the Arona and Ateca have a new big brother alongside them in the line-up, with the arrival of the marque's new flagship - the Tarraco.

Named after the Spanish port city of Tarragona, the new premium, seven-seater Tarraco, completes SEAT's SUV line-up, and, with it, brings a new stylish design - a design, which SEAT say, shows a glimpse into future models.

Capitalising on the fact that SEAT have just returned the best results in their history, and the fact the SUV market is expected to increase by 40% over the next few years, means the Tarraco has arrived at a propitious moment in the brand's history.

Christian Stein - SEAT Director of Communications says "The Tarraco blends key attributes of design and functionality, sportiness and comfort, accessibility and quality, technology and emotion, but in a form factor that suits a wider variety of lifestyles."

Sharing the same architectural platform as the Skoda Kodiaq, the new Tarraco benefits from being a bigger SUV, with sleek lines, a new prominent grille with inset aerodynamic LED headlights and bonnet fins.

All UK Tarraco's will come as a seven-seater. The option to utilise a third row, will certainly enable the Tarraco to be a fully equipped family mover. Like many in its class though, the third row is slightly tight and more suitable for children.

One attribute which the Tarraco has in spades - is space. With third row seats folded down, it has the biggest boot space in its class, with over 700 litres available, and a massive 1,775 litres if all rear seats are folded.

All Tarraco's come with pre-crash assist and lane assist, with optional blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, emergency assist and traffic jam assist - where the car can accelerate and deaccelerate accordingly.

Sitting up high, for a large SUV, the Tarraco is a comfortable engaging drive, with next to no body roll when cornering. Steering is responsive as are the brakes, and visibility is good.

Headroom is aplenty front and rear - even with the optional panoramic glass roof on the higher-end models.

Depending on your mood, there's a choice of six different drive modes, including off-road, winter and sport.

Up front, the Tarraco design team add a new look, with a 'floating' eight-inch tablet-esque touchscreen taking centre stage atop the console. It's clear, at eye-level and easy to use. All models come with a digital dashboard, with top of the range specs adding Amazon Alexa powered voice command and compatibility with Shazam music app.

Aesthetic touches across the range offer faux wood and some different coloured material trims. The cabin feels well built, sturdy and durable for family activities.

There's a choice of two turbocharged petrol TSI powertrains - a 150PS 1.5-litre, six-speed manual and a 190PS 2.0-litre seven-speed DSG auto 4Drive all-wheel drive. Both engines are quiet and smooth, with top speeds of 125 and 131mph respectively - with the 2.0-litre hitting 62mph in just 8.0 seconds. With only 250Nm of torque and due to the size of the Tarraco, you will have to work the 1.5-litre engine and gearbox a little.

The two turbocharged TDI diesel powertrains are a 2.0-litre 150PS (with optional DSG auto 4Drive), and a 2.0-litre 190PS DSG auto 4Drive. With 340Nm and 400Nm of torque respectively, the diesel powertrains offer a bit more urgency, grunt and mpg.

SEAT anticipate the 1.5-litre petrol to be the most popular choice.

In case you were wondering, the Tarraco 4Drive system works well. I know this, because I put it through its paces off road, though many owners won't be faced with a typical mountainous daily commute. Working the chassis and suspension, the Tarraco system pulled up a 40-degree incline without any problems.

Entry-level models are manual front wheel drives with higher-specs offering the DSG auto and 4Drive system.

A faster FR model is in the works, it might even be a Cupra version from SEAT's own newly-independent division. A plug-in hybrid is due next year, with a full electric version coming in 2020.

Prices for the 1.5-litre TSI start at £28,320 and come with DAB radio, 17-inch alloys, A/C, safety pack and apple/android connectivity. The £29,330 SE Tech, adds 18-inch alloys, climate control, tinted privacy glass and Sat Nav. At £30,410, the XCELLENCE gives you wireless phone charging, electric tailgate, rear-view camera, 19-inch alloys and adaptive cruise control. For £32,135, the range topping XCELLENCE LUX adds a top view camera, huge 20-inch alloys, winter pack and full leather upholstery.

The new stylish Tarraco is packed with plenty tech and kit to keep the family happy. After all, it is SEAT's new flagship bearer. And, as such, also delivers design traits of things to come.

Order books open in December for a February/March 2019 delivery.

The new Tarraco is a competent, sporty addition to the competitive SUV market. So, if you're after a spacious, stylish, practical family seven-seater, then the Tarraco certainly offers some of the best SEATs in the house.

The SEAT Tarraco feature as published in the national press.

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