SEAT Tarraco review - MPG, CO2 and running costs

Predictably, the 2.0 TDI diesel is the most fuel efficient engine, with the 148bhp version offering a best of 52.3mpg (WLTP combined cycle) in manual, front-wheel drive guise. In common with all the engines, avoid the larger alloy wheels if you’re hoping to optimise economy. Adding a DSG gearbox brings a fuel penalty, with the auto version down slightly to a maximum 51.4mpg.

The 197bhp 2.0-litre diesel in DSG and 4Drive guise offers between 40.4mpg and 42.8mpg. There’s only a small decrease in economy for the 1.5-litre petrol, so this is the best option if you intend to do a lot of city driving and don’t cover more than 12,000 miles in a year.

The 2.0-litre petrol is far from economical, with the 187bhp version achieving 32-34mpg, and the 242bhp variant 30-32mpg. Not only is the bigger petrol engine hamstrung by its four-wheel drive system, but it’s also only available in the more lavish trim levels, which ride on larger alloy wheels.

The front-wheel-drive 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel, with the DSG auto 'box, is the least polluting model - emitting 142g/km of CO2. By contrast, the four-wheel drive version produces 172g/km. The entry-level 1.5 TSI petrol variant generates 155g/km of CO2, while the top-spec 2.0 TSI DSG 4Drive emits 196g/km of CO2.

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Insurance groups

The Tarraco will be more expensive to insure than the Kodiaq, with the Skoda slotting into groups 15 to 29. Meanwhile, the Tarraco starts at group 19 for the SE 1.5-litre petrol, rising to 30E for the Xcellence Lux in 2.0-litre TSi DSG 4Drive guise.

Depreciation

Buyers will benefit from decent residual values for the Tarraco. After a typical three-year/36,000-mile ownership period, the family seven-seater SUV should retain around 50 per cent of its original list price.