Seat Tarraco or Discovery Sport - advice needed

[s4tronic]

So after hours and hours of watching videos and reading reviews I think I know the answer but would like to consult with collective PH community.

Currently running 2012 Disco 4 SDV6 HSE which has been great for us - family bus, comfortable - like driving in an arm chair. Touch wood we had relatively minor issues only - one cracked manifold, split turbo hose etc) but its now at 110k miles and my worry is its going to need bigger spends soonish - suspension overhaul, second manifold will eventually crack etc. I would keep it but we're shortly going to be covered by ULEZ and its not compatible so as much as I like it, it has to go.

So on to replacement options - 7 seats (occasionally for kids), budget is about £25k, 2019+, less then 50k miles, Petrol, Auto, Reversing Cam, Android Auto, Leather

What I have discounted so far:
- Kia Sorento (new shape) - nice and some hybrid options but overbudget (£30k+)
- Peugeot 5008 - don't like the look of it - flat no
- Volvo XC90 - would be an option but also top end of the budget and then I'm still pushing over my desire mileage - also whilst I like the looks outside, not that keen on the inside?
- Skoda Kodiaq - I like it but its a minefield with options and I have some specific options I would like
- VW Tiguan Allspace - I like it but slightly over budget in spec that I like

So that has left me with Seat Tarraco which I like the looks of (imo looks better then Kodiak but worse then Tiguan), has good options in Xcellence or X Lux trims, is in budget and I like Seat All In plan for 2 years servicing and warranty which gives me option to buy from regular garage rather than looking for approved used.

I have pretty much decided on 2019/2020 Tarraco 2.0 TSI with DSG and 4x4 in Xcellence Lux spec.

But... read someone recommending Disco Sport (2020 model) - I discounted Land Rovers initially as over budget and modern reliability reputation but started looking at them and I quite like P200 or P250 petrol in SE or HSE trim. It would be just in budget with some flexibility/negotiation. Spec wise it works as SE has all the options I want, HSE even nicer.

For Disco Sport:
- Looks inside and out is on par with Tarraco or better - looks more premium perhaps?
- Familiar after having Disco 4 for the last 7 years
- Good options

Against Disco Sport:
- Petrol engines economy - Not buying this car for economy but I would like a little bit better than what Disco 4 is and I read P200 or P250 are high 10's, low 20's around town and max 30mpg on a run.
- Reliability reputation
- Not as good spec as Tarraco X Lux i.e. for Adaptive CC would need to find HSE
- Heavier
- 3rd row seats even less space then in Tarraco?

My head says stick with Tarraco and I really like it.
My heart says a little bit Disco Sport just because how good it looks and how happy we were with our Discovery 4.

[J1990]

I loved the Discovery 4, I absolutely detest the Discovery Sport. Yes it's not bad to look at from the outside but I personally think the interior fails to meet that 'premium' feel. I was consistently disappointed with the two DS I had for a month whilst in Portugal in 2022, they just left me consistently wanting a little more power, better visibility around the A pillar and rear visibility also seemed quite poor as the rear bench sits rather high - Assuming this is because it's actually not that big of a car!

The Tarraco should have a higher build quality, certainly better reliability and the feel inside is much more spacious than the DS and as a family van I'd be opting for the more practical option rather than the slightly better looking car.

[QuantumTokoloshi]

A vote for the SEAT Tarraco here, have a 2.0 TSI DSG, comfortable, fuel efficient, 7 seater, excellent Infotainment, unlike some of the VAG group vehicles, has proper dials for HVAC etc. Heated front and rear seats, very well equipped. I preferred the half leather seats, along with the panoramic sunroof, gives the cabin a more airy feel. Ride is well damped, even on 20" rims, certainly less body roll than equivalent vehicles, without the loss of comfort. 2 year used warranty is a big bonus, gives some piece of mind to the larger mechanicals.

I specifically went for the Lux plus first edition, which has a full suite of options, only missing the 360 camera, but has everything else, also has a decent sound system, beats upgrade, subwoofer etc. was surprised at how good it is.

Equivalent Tiguan or Kodiaq is at least 5k more, according to the Skoda dealer I was trying to match a spec with. Well worth trying to find them, as they are quite rare.

Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Thursday 25th January 11:28

[s4tronic]

J1990 said:

I loved the Discovery 4, I absolutely detest the Discovery Sport. Yes it's not bad to look at from the outside but I personally think the interior fails to meet that 'premium' feel. I was consistently disappointed with the two DS I had for a month whilst in Portugal in 2022, they just left me consistently wanting a little more power, better visibility around the A pillar and rear visibility also seemed quite poor as the rear bench sits rather high - Assuming this is because it's actually not that big of a car!

The Tarraco should have a higher build quality, certainly better reliability and the feel inside is much more spacious than the DS and as a family van I'd be opting for the more practical option rather than the slightly better looking car.

Thanks! I love D4 thats why its such a struggle to find a replacement that is not breaking budget.

QuantumTokoloshi said:

A vote for the SEAT Tarraco here, have a 2.0 TSI DSG, comfortable, fuel efficient, 7 seater, excellent Infotainment, unlike some of the VAG group vehicles, has proper dials for HVAC etc. Heated front and rear seats, very well equipped. I preferred the half leather seats, along with the panoramic sunroof, gives the cabin a more airy feel. Ride is well damped, even on 20" rims, certainly less body roll than equivalent vehicles, without the loss of comfort. 2 year used warranty is a big bonus, gives some piece of mind to the larger mechanicals.

I specifically went for the Lux plus first edition, which has a full suite of options, only missing the 360 camera, but has everything else. Equivalent Tiguan or Kodiaq is at least 5k more, according to the Skoda dealer I was trying to match a spec with. Well worth trying to find them, as they are quite rare.

Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Thursday 25th January 11:23

Thanks, How are you finding half leather seats? I've been discounting cars with no leather as with the kids I'm worried cloth seats will get dirty quite soon - I may have shouted once or twice in the past at the sight of muddy boots on the edge of the seat as opposed to in the foot well :-)

[QuantumTokoloshi]

s4tronic said:

J1990 said:

I loved the Discovery 4, I absolutely detest the Discovery Sport. Yes it's not bad to look at from the outside but I personally think the interior fails to meet that 'premium' feel. I was consistently disappointed with the two DS I had for a month whilst in Portugal in 2022, they just left me consistently wanting a little more power, better visibility around the A pillar and rear visibility also seemed quite poor as the rear bench sits rather high - Assuming this is because it's actually not that big of a car!

The Tarraco should have a higher build quality, certainly better reliability and the feel inside is much more spacious than the DS and as a family van I'd be opting for the more practical option rather than the slightly better looking car.

Thanks! I love D4 thats why its such a struggle to find a replacement that is not breaking budget.

QuantumTokoloshi said:

A vote for the SEAT Tarraco here, have a 2.0 TSI DSG, comfortable, fuel efficient, 7 seater, excellent Infotainment, unlike some of the VAG group vehicles, has proper dials for HVAC etc. Heated front and rear seats, very well equipped. I preferred the half leather seats, along with the panoramic sunroof, gives the cabin a more airy feel. Ride is well damped, even on 20" rims, certainly less body roll than equivalent vehicles, without the loss of comfort. 2 year used warranty is a big bonus, gives some piece of mind to the larger mechanicals.

I specifically went for the Lux plus first edition, which has a full suite of options, only missing the 360 camera, but has everything else. Equivalent Tiguan or Kodiaq is at least 5k more, according to the Skoda dealer I was trying to match a spec with. Well worth trying to find them, as they are quite rare.

Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Thursday 25th January 11:23

Thanks, How are you finding half leather seats? I've been discounting cars with no leather as with the kids I'm worried cloth seats will get dirty quite soon - I may have shouted once or twice in the past at the sight of muddy boots on the edge of the seat as opposed to in the foot well :-)

Hard wearing thus far, when we have messed on it, coffee etc, wipe it clean.

The tray tables are useful for the kids, watching videos etc. Also lots of pockets and stuff, lots of practicality to the vehicle. I was expecting to hate the adaptive cruise control, but now use it regularly, makes travelling with all the cameras that much easier.. I am even partial to the auto park function now, which I thought was a gimmick initially.

Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Thursday 25th January 11:39

[66HFM]

We had a Disco 4 for 4 years, longest time I've owned a car, a great do it all car, although like yourself the only negative was the maintenance costs, it used to cost £1k to lift the bonnet every time it went into an LR specialist.

We currently have an XC60 (2014) and are looking to replace it, my wife wants a Disco Sport (MK1) but I'm struggling that its a come down from both the Disco 4 and XC60 as in my eyes its a Freelander replacement.... Also on the MK1s the majority have the infamous Ingenium engine.

The one I'd be tempted to go for is the Skoda Kodiaq as to me it seems the best option all round, the XC90 is tempting but I've got a couple of mates who have them and each paid £50k+ for them... I also prefer the look of the Skoda to the Seat, but obviously subjective.

Good luck

[karan99]

s4tronic said:

I would keep it but we're shortly going to be covered by ULEZ and its not compatible so as much as I like it, it has to go.

sorry but which ulez zone now? is it expanding again ?

[s4tronic]

karan99 said:

s4tronic said:

I would keep it but we're shortly going to be covered by ULEZ and its not compatible so as much as I like it, it has to go.

sorry but which ulez zone now? is it expanding again ?

Sorry - should have specified - its in Edinburgh and LEZ comes into operation from June I believe. No option to even pay something like a congestion charge - its basically fixed penalty notice of £60 for non compliant car. For us its a problem as we will no longer be able to drive to school (not that we do but in a pinch/emergency).

[s4tronic]

Slightly off topic but related... Tried few dealers where I would be happy to ahead and buy car unseen given the distance but based on the photos and information in the advert. All of them don't even want to entertain any sort of discount. Is it no longer a thing to negotiate £500 or £1000 of the £25k car, especially when I can see with the AT price tracker they haven't had any price drops yet so surely there must be some margin there....

[Yomamaisasnowblower]

My wife bought a 2.0 tsi dsg Kodiaq L&K last year. Yes, more expensive than the Seat, but build quality is actually much, much better, doesn't have the awful stuck on tablet for a screen and we found the Seat has a weird bunch of gaps in the boot floor. But agree, the Seat looks better and £ for £ specced more generously as you'll need the L&K for all the toys due to specs being odd lower down the range. For example, a reversing cam is an optional extra on the trim level below (SEL), makes no sense!

By the way, don't expect discounts for any of these VAG 7 seaters, demand for examples with the right spec is incredibly high and sell very quickly. Not much competition in this segment.

Edited by Yomamaisasnowblower on Friday 26th January 22:43

Edited by Yomamaisasnowblower on Friday 26th January 22:43