I'M a big chap so tend to like bigger cars but seven-seater SUVs haven't really won me over - until now.

Recently, I got to slip behind the wheel of the stylish SEAT Tarraco - even more stylish in FR Sport trim - and I was a convert.

Not only does it look good but it drives very well and is hugely practical for those who need a vehicle of this size. I genuinely enjoyed driving it, especially when I was the only one aboard and could explore its range a little more without comp-aint. .

There's several trims in the range from SE and SE Technology to the sportier FR and FR Sport models, or the more luxurious XPERIENCE and XPERIENCE Lux models.

Standard specification is high, with even entry-level cars offering LED headlights and rear lights, an eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, rear parking sensors, auto lights and wipers and three Isofix points in the middle row.

Opting for the sports-oriented FR trim gives the Tarraco tweaked exterior detailing, which includes a spoiler, black door mirrors and roof rails.

Inside, snug sports seats are added along with keyless entry. FR Sport adds a larger 9.2-inch screen, larger alloys, a 360-degree camera, parking assist and SEAT's digital cockpit.

There's a choice of one petrol engine and one diesel engine, both with 148bhp and a choice of manual and automatic transmissions - though the manual is only offered on lower trims.

For high-mileage drivers looking for low fuel bills, the 150hp 2.0-litre diesel is the most economical, officially returning up to 51.4mpg in auto form. That's not bad for a seven-seat SUV weighing over 1,800kg.

âFor a seven-seat SUV, as I hinted above, the Tarraco is remarkably good to drive, with plenty of mid-range welly to barrel it along through twisty roads, and very little body roll.

You can change direction with confidence, with the responsive steering encouraging you to press on when cornering. The seven-speed auto is also reliably slick.

There's plenty of adjustment to the steering wheel and driver's seat, letting you set up everything just how you like it.

The SEAT's sporty credentials mean the Tarraco has a firmer suspension and sits 20mm lower than most of its rivals, so you get a ‘sportier feel'.

It remains comfortable but, as the FR Sport sits on 20-inch Cosmo Grey machined alloy wheels, you're going to feel the bumps and holes more of the time. That said, those alloys add a lot of kerb appeal.

All that said, the Tarraco feels best as a long-distance chariot. Once up to speed, you may notice a bit of wind noise around the door mirrors, but otherwise it's a quiet and comfortable motorway cruiser.

Up front, there's loads of head and leg room, while the sliding and reclining second-row seats has plenty of space for two adults - even three won't be too much of a squeeze. The third row is really only suitable for kids.

If all seven seats are in use, there's 230-litres of luggage space available. This rises to 700 with the third row seats folded down. Fold down the second row seats, and there's a cavernous 2,005 litres of space.

What's more, the second row of seats split 40/20/40, which means you can run skis or other long, slim items along the centre of the car and still make use of the outermost seats.

There are a number of tie-down rings in the Tarraco's boot to help secure loads, plus an underfloor luggage compartment.

Naturally, there are plenty of storage bins scattered around the cabin for the many odds and sods that come with family motoring.

The Tarraco scored five stars out of five when it was tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP in 2019.

Standard safety equipment across the range includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, eCall emergency response and a driver drowsiness monitor.

£42,205

148bhp, 1,968cc, turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine driving front-wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox

122mph

9.9 seconds

51.4

21

147g/km

34%

3yrs/60,000 miles

4