The SEAT Tarraco is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by the Spanish automobile manufacturer SEAT from 2018 to 2020. Positioned as the brand’s flagship SUV, the Tarraco was designed to compete in the highly popular family SUV segment, offering seven-passenger seating as standard. While SEAT vehicles are not officially sold in the United States, the Tarraco represents a significant model for the brand within the European market, sharing a platform with the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace. The 1.5 TSI (150 Hp) ACT 7 Seat variant, detailed here, was a key offering in the Tarraco lineup, balancing fuel efficiency with adequate performance for everyday driving.
SEAT Tarraco 1.5 TSI: Overview and Market Positioning
The Tarraco marked SEAT’s entry into the larger SUV segment, aiming to provide a practical and stylish option for families. Unlike many SUVs that offer seven seats as an option, the Tarraco included a third row of seats as standard, enhancing its appeal to larger families. The “ACT” designation refers to Active Cylinder Technology, a fuel-saving feature that deactivates cylinders under light load conditions. The 1.5 TSI engine was a popular choice, offering a good compromise between performance and economy. The Tarraco aimed to deliver a premium feel at a competitive price point, aligning with SEAT’s brand ethos.
Engine & Performance
The SEAT Tarraco 1.5 TSI (150 Hp) ACT 7 Seat is powered by a 1.5-liter, inline-four cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine. This engine produces 150 horsepower at 5000-6000 rpm and 250 Nm (184.39 lb.-ft.) of torque between 1500-3500 rpm. The engine features direct fuel injection and an intercooler to optimize performance and efficiency. The Active Cylinder Technology (ACT) system allows the engine to shut down two cylinders under certain driving conditions, reducing fuel consumption. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes 9.7 seconds, while 0-60 mph is achieved in approximately 9.2 seconds. The Tarraco 1.5 TSI has a maximum speed of 201 km/h (124.9 mph). The engine’s power-to-weight ratio is 10.4 kg/Hp, and the torque-to-weight ratio is 6.2 kg/Nm.
Design & Features
The SEAT Tarraco is a five-door SUV with a distinctive exterior design characterized by sharp lines and a bold front grille. The vehicle’s dimensions are 4735 mm (186.42 in) in length, 1839 mm (72.4 in) in width, and 1674 mm (65.91 in) in height. The wheelbase measures 2790 mm (109.84 in). The Tarraco’s interior is designed to be spacious and practical, with seating for seven passengers. The standard features included air conditioning, a touchscreen infotainment system, and various safety systems. The Tarraco prioritizes passenger safety with features like ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). The trunk space is versatile, offering 230 liters (8.12 cu. ft.) with all seats in place and expanding to 700 liters (24.72 cu. ft.) with the third-row seats folded down. The Tarraco’s ride height (ground clearance) is 192 mm (7.56 in).
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Seat |
| Model | Tarraco |
| Type (Engine) | 1.5 TSI (150 Hp) ACT 7 Seat |
| Start of production | December, 2018 |
| End of production | September, 2020 |
| Powertrain Architecture | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type | SUV |
| Seats | 7 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Combined fuel consumption (WLTP) | 7.3 – 8.0 l/100 km (32.2 – 29.4 US mpg) |
| CO2 emissions (WLTP) | 165 – 182 g/km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) – urban | 8.5 l/100 km (27.7 US mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) – extra urban | 5.6 l/100 km (42 US mpg) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) – combined | 6.6 l/100 km (35.6 US mpg) |
| CO2 emissions | 152 g/km |
| Fuel Type | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 9.7 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 62 mph | 9.7 sec |
| Acceleration 0 – 60 mph | 9.2 sec |
| Maximum speed | 201 km/h (124.9 mph) |
| Emission standard | Euro 6 |
| Weight-to-power ratio | 10.4 kg/Hp |
| Weight-to-torque ratio | 6.2 kg/Nm |
| Power | 150 Hp @ 5000-6000 rpm |
| Torque | 250 Nm @ 1500-3500 rpm (184.39 lb.-ft.) |
| Engine layout | Front, Transverse |
| Engine Model/Code | DPCA |
| Engine displacement | 1498 cm3 (91.41 cu. in.) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Engine configuration | Inline |
| Cylinder Bore | 74.5 mm (2.93 in.) |
| Piston Stroke | 85.9 mm (3.38 in.) |
| Compression ratio | 11:1 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel injection system | Direct injection |
| Engine aspiration | Turbocharger, Intercooler |
| Engine oil capacity | 4.3 l (4.54 US qt | 3.78 UK qt) |
| Coolant | 8 l (8.45 US qt | 7.04 UK qt) |
| Kerb Weight | 1559 kg (3437.01 lbs.) |
| Max. weight | 2320 kg (5114.72 lbs.) |
| Max load | 761 kg (1677.72 lbs.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – minimum | 230 l (8.12 cu. ft.) |
| Trunk (boot) space – maximum | 700 l (24.72 cu. ft.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 58 l (15.32 US gal | 12.76 UK gal) |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (8%) | 2000 kg (4409.25 lbs.) |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%) | 1800 kg (3968.32 lbs.) |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes | 750 kg (1653.47 lbs.) |
| Length | 4735 mm (186.42 in.) |
| Width | 1839 mm (72.4 in.) |
| Width including mirrors | 2118 mm (83.39 in.) |
| Height | 1674 mm (65.91 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 2790 mm (109.84 in.) |
| Front track | 1585 mm (62.4 in.) |
| Rear (Back) track | 1574 mm (61.97 in.) |
| Ride height (ground clearance) | 192 mm (7.56 in.) |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter) | 11.9 m (39.04 ft.) |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears and type of gearbox | 6 gears, manual transmission |
The SEAT Tarraco 1.5 TSI (150 Hp) ACT 7 Seat, while not available in the US market, offered a compelling package for European families seeking a spacious, practical, and relatively efficient seven-seater SUV.
