Seat Reveals New Range-topping Tarraco SUV

Wraps off new Tiguan rival

Choice of five or seven seats

- John McIlroy

THIS is the SEAT Tarraco, a new flagship SUV for the Spanish brand that’s designed to rival the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Edge and Skoda Kodiaq.

Unveiled this week ahead of a public debut at October’s Paris Motor Show, the Tarraco (named after the city of Tarragona) is based on the longest version of the VW Group’s MQB platform, called A2. It’s 4,735mm long – so around four centimetres longer than a Kodiaq or Tiguan – and will be offered in both five and seven-seat editions.

The new car’s styling is an evolution of SEAT’s existing look, but design boss Alejandro Mesonero claims it’ll influence future models. “It delivers a feeling of proudness,” he says, “thanks to its assertive front end that gives you a hint at what future SEATs will look like.”