New SEAT Arona Review

Most of the SEAT Arona range is available through the Motability Scheme with £0 Advanced Payment, with just a few models requiring a small Advance Payment. The SEAT Arona TSi Xcellence Lux DSG automatic represents fantastic value for money and can be leased for 3 years with just £399 to pay upfront. It comes with 'performance' alloy wheels, heated seats, rear view camera, park assist, an upgraded audio system, satellite navigation and a wireless phone charging pad (section updated October 2020). 

SEAT Arona Motability Advance Payment Offers

SEAT's conquest of the affordable SUV segment continued with the launch of the Arona. It slots into the Spanish maker's line-up just blow the successful Ateca model, which is based in the running gear of the company's Leon family hatch. The Arona, in contrast, is a supermini-based Crossover, so shares its oily bits with the Barcelona marque's Ibiza supermini.

This car was developed as part of the 900 million Euro investment set aside to create the fifth generation Ibiza. It targets a compact crossover segment that has exploded over the past 5 year.

The Arona shares the engine line-up used in SEAT's Ibiza supermini, which means that all of the powerplants on offer have direct injection and a turbo. There are three different petrol units to choose from, the headline emphasis being on the usual Volkswagen Group three-cylinder 95PS 1.0 TSI petrol unit, available in 95PS form with a five-speed manual gearbox or in 115PS guise with either a six-speed 'box or dual-clutch seven-speed DSG auto transmission. The third petrol choice is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder 150PS TSI unit with active cylinder deactivation technology, which is exclusive to the 'FR' and 'FR Sport' trim and is connected to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Go for that sporty 'FR' trim and you get dual-mode suspension and the 'SEAT Drive Profile' that allows you to alter the steering, throttle response and suspension feel via four modes: 'Normal', 'Sport', 'Eco' and 'Individual'. As for diesel options, the efficient and reliable 1.6 TDI unit is available with 95 and 115PS. The 95PS version can be paired with a five-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DSG auto, and the 115PS variant with a six-speed gearbox. All Arona models are front-driven: there's not much appetite in this segment for 4WD.

The Arona's sits on the same hi-tech MQB platform that underpins the latest Ibiza supermini and its styling follows the same structure as that used in the brand's slightly larger Ateca SUV. Here, that model's three-dimensional look is more pronounced, without being too aggressive. Like its rivals, this car is trying to give the feel of being a sturdy car for everyday life for the urban jungle, hence the strong protection in the bumpers, the wheel arches and the dark coloured rubber side skirts, as well as the roof rack and the aluminium look-like protection at the bottom of the bumpers.

In terms of its dimensions, the Arona is 4,138mm long, which is 79mm more than an Ibiza. However, the real difference lies in its height, as the Arona is 99mm taller. As a result, this SUV offers not only higher ground clearance for any off-road adventures, but also more front and rear headroom, and, above all, a larger boot, with a 400-litre capacity. Another important feature is the seat cushion, which is 52mm higher and gives a dual advantage. Firstly, a higher driving position for raised view of the road ahead. And secondly, it makes it much easier to get in and out of the car. The passenger seats are also 62mm higher than they would be in an Ibiza, while headroom is 37mm greater in the front and 33mm in the rear. The suspension height has been increased by 15mm and the windscreen is slightly more vertical for a roomier interior.

The SEAT Arona is superb value for money, with only a handful of the models available through the Motability Scheme requiring an Advance Payment. Trim levels are based around the usual  'SE Technology', 'FR', 'FR Sport', 'XCELLENCE' and 'XCELLENCE Lux' SEAT spec options.

Key equipment features available as options or fitted to plusher models include automatic lights and wipers, a keyless entry and start system, a rear camera, an 8-inch black panel centre-dash infotainment touchscreen, a park assistance system and a 'connectivity hub' which comes with a wireless phone charger and a GSM signal amplifier. Safety spec is also be crucial to sales interest in this car, so the Arona gets all the latest camera-driven tech, including the brand's 'front assist' autonomous braking system, 'blind spot detection' (which stops you from pulling out to overtake when there's a vehicle in your blindspot) and 'rear traffic alert' (which warns you of approaching vehicles if you're reversing out from a space). Other features available include adaptive cruise control, hill hold control, a tiredness recognition system and multi-collision braking.

The headline engine is SEATs well regarded 1.0 TSI petrol turbo unit and it should certainly prove to be very frugal. Expect the 95PS version to impressive fuel economy and under 113g/km of CO2. The 1.6-litre TDI diesel will perform a little bit better. All models get an automatic stop & start system to cut the engine when you don't need it, stuck in traffic or waiting at the lights.

The Arona, says SEAT, is designed for 'drivers looking for a sense of excitement, distinction and functionality. People who know that age is just a number, not an outlook on life.' In other words, this car is clearly targetting those Motability customers who've been driving cars like the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. 

The potential for personalisation will be key to this car's prospects, as will the efficiency made possible by its efficient engines and light, stiff MQB chassis. It's took a little time for the Iberian maker to bring us a Crossover of this kind but we can see quite a few target Arona customers feeling that the wait has been worthwhile.

People with a disability and carers who choose a new SEAT Arona through Motability will receive a brand new car, delivered by a Motability Specialist at a local SEAT dealership, complete with insurance, servicing and maintenance, full breakdown assistance, replacement tyre cover, windscreen repair or replacement cover plus a mileage allowance of 60,000 miles over three years.