The new Seat Arona is the latest SUV of Group VW’s Spanish brand that aims at grabbing a slice of rapidly growing crossover market in Europe.
You can think of it as a Seat Ibiza on stilts, and you wouldn’t be far from the truth as both models are built on the same architecture, though the Arona offers a more practical cabin with enough space for families.
Sitting underthe Ateca in Seat’s range, the new Arona enters one of the busiest segments in the European market, with rivals such as the Renault Kaptur, Nissan Juke and the closely-related VW T-Roc.
The engine range includes the turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder TSI unit offered with 95PS and 115PS, the latter combined with a six-speed manual or an optional dual-clutch transmission. Those looking for a bit more oomph can go for the range-topping 1.5-liter TSI Evo engine that offers 150PS and features a cylinder deactivation system. Diesel options are limited to a pair of 1.6-liter TDI units with 95PS and 115PS.
Seat also offers a range of personalization options, including a two-tone paintjob, in order to spice things up, while the interior is logically laid out and can offer a nice environment if you opt for one of the more brightly colored trim options.
There’s no question that the Seat Arona is one of the most complete models in the sub-compact SUV segment, but it lacks the sparkle of some of its rivals, as Carwow points out in their review that you can check out in the following video.