SEAT Tarraco review - Reliability and safety

​The Tarraco was tested by Euro NCAP in early 2019, and it earned a five-star safety rating, as well as a 97 per cent adult occupant protection score. The mechanically similar Skoda Kodiaq also received full marks in 2017.

Adaptive cruise control, a lane-keeping assist function, a front assist system with bicycle detection, and an emergency call system are standard across the range. Also available are blind spot detection, traffic sign recognition, emergency assist, plus, for the first time on a SEAT, pre-crash assist and rollover assist. 

Pre-crash assist can react in two tenths of a second if it detects an accident is about to occur – tightening the seatbelts, activating the hazard lights, rolling up the windows and closing the sunroof. If activated, rollover assist will make an emergency call, turn off the engine, turn on the hazard lights and change the ventilation system.

The Tarraco didn't feature in our 2023 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, but the smaller Arona and Ateca SUVs finished in 59th and 53rd position, respectively, on the 75-car list. SEAT finished in a middling 23rd spot out of 32 brands in the best car manufacturer rankings. It’s worth noting, though, that this was a higher rank than Audi and Volkswagen.

Warranty

The Tarraco is covered by a pretty standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty, but this can be extended at the time of ordering. A four-year/75,000-mile or five-year/90,000-mile extended warranty package are both available at an extra cost, and these are fully transferable to the next owner.

Servicing

If you cover fewer than 10,000 miles in a year and make a lot of short journeys, you’re advised to service the Tarraco on an annual basis. However, if you drive mainly on motorways, it’s recommended that you visit a service centre at intervals of no more than 20,000 miles. A fixed price service plan is available and covers the first and second-year services.