Who's looking for a seven-seater in 2020, will probably end up with a car like this Seat Tarraco. A big SUV.
Ever since Volkswagen has discontinued the Touran, traditional MPV's have pretty much gone extinct.
Citroën is one of the few manufacturers which still has one in their range, because the C4 Picasso can still be equipped as a Spacetourer.
It even received a new automatic gearbox last year, and the Tarraco has a new 1.5-litre TSI-engine with a new DSG-gearbox.
So, let's find out which is best.
This car was introduced in 2013 as the C4 Picasso, and nothing has changed really since. It once got a new front bumper, but the difference is really small.
There's one remarkable fact to report though. As a Spacetourer, it always comes with halogen-lights. Even this top-of-the-range-version.
Halogen-headlights, halogen-rear lights and halogen-indicators. And that's strange, because before, you could get LED-indicators and rear lights.
Optionally, you could even get Xenon-headlights. Pretty remarkable, I'd say.
Luckily, it's not about the exterior in these cars. Instead, it's about the versatile interior. And that's where French MPV's rule the world.
Just like this Citroën. It has seven individual seats, which you can all fold away. But you can do lots more with them. You can move about the...
middle row to create more legroom for the third row. You can also move the seats backwards, to create more of a lounge position.
And of course, fold everything away so you get into the third seating row.
And when you're here, you're able to sit back here as an adult. If the row in front of you has moved forward that is.
It's not incredibly comfortable though, but for a short ride, there's nothing to complain about.
What's unfortunate however, but a typical characteristic of seven-seaters, is the fact that there almost isn't any luggage space to work with.
If you fold down these seats though, you increase the luggage space to 704 litres. If you fold down all of the seats, it increases to 1.851 litres.
If you fold down everything in the Tarraco, it's less spacious than the C4. But we expected that. It's a difference of about 75 litres, advantage C4.
Also, when you put up the second row, the C4 still beats the Tarraco. However, when all the seats are up, that difference disappears.
Especially because the remainder of the boot floor is bigger than what's left in the C4.
What's very handy as well is the fact you can leave the rolling shelf underneath the floor. Even when all of the seats are up.
In the Citroën, you'll have to leave it at home.
And if we want to fold everything back into place, it's much easier to do than in the Citroën. It has all kinds of loops and handles.
Also, it doesn't have three separate seats on the second row. Instead, you've got a traditional rear seat. That has its advantages...
and disadvantages. It's harder to fasten three kiddie-seats, but here's more space for adults. As long there's nobody in the middle that is.
On the third row, the Citroën clearly has the advantage. You can't sit here as an adult, it's clearly aimed at children.
Especially if you're not used to driving in an MPV, driving a C4 Spacetourer is quite a special experience. There's a huge dashboard in front of you...
and a lot of glass around you. The windshield almost continues to directly above you. Also, you've got windows around the dashboard.
That gives you a really clear view around you. It's a very spacious feeling, and I like it actually. It's very different than other cars.
What helps as well is the fact that the dashboard looks very clean. Incredibly modern as well, for a car which has been around for a few years.
It has a centrally place instrument cluster, which consists of a big screen. A bigger screen than you'd normally find behind your steering wheel.
And that means you're able to display lots of information at the same time and divide them in a clear manner.
It works very well. Other than that, there's not a lot of physical elements. Also, there's a smaller screen in the middle console, which acts as the...
actual infotainment-screen. And it's just like the screen in every other Peugeot or Citroën, so it's too slow for my taste.
That doesn't have anything to do with its age, but more with the fact that the system is designed this way by PSA.
Anyway, you'll get used to it. Just like the steering wheel, which has buttons everywhere. That means you'll be discovering lots of possibilities...
in the beginning. You've got multiple scrolling buttons and quite a lot of plus- and minus-buttons.
They're pretty big and I have to say, when you get used to them they control pretty handy functions. Easily accessible from the steering wheel.
What's a typical MPV-trait as well is the amount of storage compartments. MPV's aren't just about additional seats, they have lots of space to use as well.
This C4 does that very well, in the traditional MPV-way. Inbetween the seats, there's a huge compartment for all kinds of stuff. It also has some...
cupholders. The glove compartment is huge and in the middle you've got a compartment in which you can charge several devices.
And that's possible because the automatic gearbox is controlled by a prong on the steering column. That only should convince you to get the...
automatic version. However, there's more. First of all, it really fits with the personality of this car.
The 130 horsepower-engine isn't too powerful, but if you drive the car the way it's meant to be driven, you'll be alright. Nice and relaxed.
It sounds a tad raw sometimes, because it's a three-cylinder. And you'll hear that. Also, changing gear doesn't go as smoothly every time. Especially if the...
engine is cold. If it's warmed up though, it's alright. It's not quick, not in the slightest, but it's very smooth.
And that's what this car excels in. It's not meant to take on these twists roads, you need to take this car onto the motorway, engage the cruise...
control and lean back in your leather massage seat. That way, you can enjoy the relaxing quietness before you get where you need to be.
If the kids stay quiet, that is.
The spaceship-atmosphere the C4 has, is completely gone in the Tarraco. You're quite high up, but incredibly close to the windshield compared to the C4.
Also, the dashboard has an incredibly traditional design. There's a digital instrument cluster, a centrally positioned multimedia screen,
climate control on the place you expect it to be and a gear lever which is in its traditional place.
That means it all works fine. You know exactly where to look for certain things, the controls are clear, the screen is quick, the instrument cluster is easy to use,
and it's very comprehensive. However, it lacks its own personality. And that's the problem with a lot of cars from the Volkswagen Group. It looks different...
than a Skoda Kodiaq or a Volkswagen Tiguan, but that's it. It's doesn't really distinguish itself as a Seat. Until we get to the drive that is,
because Seat has clearly poured their own sauce over the Tarraco. It's much sturdier than the Kodiaq, which is very soft.
Also, it's much more dynamic than the C4. Sure, it's not a sporty car, but it doesn't need to be and it will never become one, but it does...
communicate more with you. Also, it's easier to position on the road than the C4, which - like I said - fits better on the motorway.
The engine fits really well. This particular Tarraco is powered by a 1.5-litre TSI producing 150 horsepower, which is the base engine.
However, since it's available with a very nice 7-speed DSG-automatic gearbox, I can't see any reasons to get a more powerful drivetrain.
Even with the 1.5, you're able to speed up without too much effort. It's not dramatic, it feels powerful enough and with 150 horsepower,
it has more power than the Citroën. However, it's a tad heavier as well.
Critics like to say you get less car in an SUV for more money. And in this case, they're right. These cars cost almost the same, but for €46.000...
the Citroën gets you a fully equipped interior with electrically adjustable, leather massage seats. Things the Seat Tarraco doesn't have.
Also, the C4 offers more versatility and space. However, the differences are very small. The Seat scores points, the Citroën scores points,
and the Seat does have a more appealing drive and a tougher looking exterior to put up. And if you fall for that, I won't judge you.