Seat Tarraco e-hybrid test: our opinion behind the wheel of the plug-in hybrid SUV

The Tarraco, the most imposing of the Seat badges SUV, is transformed into a plug-in hybrid. And that suits him well, even economically!

The tests of plug-in hybrid cars always end in the same way: “the significant additional cost required compared to the thermal versions will be difficult to make profitable”.

For the Tarraco, the calculator indicates a different verdict. Its PHEV version, called 1.4 e-Hybrid, starts from € 46,770, while the 150 hp petrol engine with the DSG transmission is priced at 40,270 €, with identical equipment.

But the first is entitled to a bonus of € 2,000 (€ 1,000 from the 1^is July 2021), while the second, much less efficient, is “malussée” to the tune of 3,784 €. The price difference thus drops to € 716.

It is therefore on the side of the Tarraco diesels that the internal competition seems the most serious, the TDI 150 ch in DSG box appearing at 43,070 €, to which are added 450 € of ecotax.

However, the TDI is unable to generate performance comparable to that of the e-Hybrid, which houses under its hood a 1.4-liter petrol 150 hp associated with an electric unit of 86 kW.

The latter also allows to circulate during around 40 “real” kilometers without consuming fuel.

A distance far from constituting a record, but which nevertheless contributes to a significant saving, for those who cover short trips to get to the office, and who will think about charging the Tarraco on a daily basis.

Heavy rollers used to long journeys on expressways will however have an interest in going their way: empty battery, the average consumption on the highway was over 9 l / 100 km during our test.

The other asset of this plug-in hybrid device benefits well-being, with an attractive silence of operation in urban traffic or on the secondary network.

In hybrid mode, the smooth energy transitions also serve comfort, not altered either when the electric range indicates 0 km.

There, the operation identical to that of a non-plug-in hybrid model makes it possible to maintain reasonable consumption, less than 7 l / 100 km on peri-urban journeys.

Sharing its bowels with the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and Skoda Kodiaq, which do not have the right to a PHEV version, the Tarraco is pleasant to drive and comfortable, despite the 20-inch pneumatic mounting of our test model.

His secret boot? Controlled damping delivered as standard on our FR finish. Despite this, the Spaniard suffers from a high weight and a transmission to only the front wheels, which suffers from loss of traction during “takeoff”, on wet roads.

But its calm character goes well with its primary function: gently transporting a family.

While it can enjoy seven seats in the thermal version, the Tarraco cannot do the same in the e-Hybrid: its 13 kWh battery capacity and its electrical environment, partly located under the boot floor, make it impossible to install retractable seats.

The SUV makes up for it with a large trunk (610 liters), modular thanks to the sliding bench seat with tilting backrests.

But there are no individual seats in the back either. On the other hand, the space on board is very generous and the soberly high-tech presentation benefits from well-thought-out ergonomics and plethora of equipment, integrating a complete multimedia interface but a little complex.

However, the system has shortcut keys to easily find the menus.

And the standard equipment also includes, from the “basic” version called Xcellence (€ 46,770), “hands-free” access / start, a digital panel instead of the counters, a 360 ° camera for parking and a panoramic sunroof. Not mean!

Seat Tarraco 1.4 e-Hybrid 245 hp DSG6 test – our opinion:

If it can accommodate 7 seats and only displays limited electric autonomy, the imposing Iberian SUV is recommended for the comfort it provides, for its rich equipment and for its price, rather interesting for a model plug-in hybrid.

WE love

Roominess, trunk and presentation
Pleasure, softness and comfort
Price / equipment ratio

We like less

5 places only
Limited electric autonomy
Consumption on expressways

Data sheet (Seat Tarraco 1.4 e-Hybrid 245 hp DSG6 FR)

Engine: front, transverse, 4-cylinder petrol, turbo, 16 valves, direct injection, 1395 cc³
Thermal power (hp at rpm): 150 to 5,000
Thermal torque (Nm at rpm): 250 to 1,550
Electric motor: 86 kW (117 hp) and 330 Nm
Batterie : lithium-Ion, 13 kWh
Transmission: traction, robotized double clutch, 6 speeds
Cumulative power (hp): 245
Cumulative torque (Nm): 400
Electric range WLTP (km): 46 to 48
Weight in running order (kg): 1,868
Long.xwide.xhigh. (m): 4.73 × 1.84 × 1.67 (with roof bars)
Wheelbase (m): 2.79
Turning diameter (m): 11.9
Tank (l): 45
Max speed (km / h): 205
0 to 100 km/h (s): 7 ”5
Standard tires: 255/40 R 20
Test tires: Pirelli P Zero Rosso
Conso. Mixed WLTP (l / 100 km): 1.6 to 2.1
Conso. during test (l / 100 km): 6.3
CO₂ (g / km): 37 to 47
Loading time :
- on domestic socket (2.3 kW): 5h
- sur borne 3,6 kW : 3h30

Bonus: € 2,000 (€ 1,000 at 1^is July 2021)
Chest at 5 (l): 610
Front / rear elbow width (cm): 146/142
Rear legroom (cm): 65 to 81
Country of manufacture: Germany
Warranty: 2 years / unlimited mileage
Battery warranty: 8 years / 160,000 km
Fiscal power: 8 CV
Base rate (1.4 e-Hybrid): € 46,770 (€ 48,270 in FR)
Price of the version tested: € 50,625

PROPOSED RANGE (Seat Tarraco)
Gasoline, 150 hp, from € 34,290 to € 43,070
Diesel, from 150 to 200 hp, from € 37,290 to € 46,920
Plug-in hybrid (gasoline + electric), 245 hp, from € 46,770 to € 48,270

AVAILABLE OPTIONS (Seat Tarraco 1.4 e-Hybrid)