SEAT Arona 1.6 TDI 115 CV review: the compact SUV that strikes the right balance

We are living through an automotive era in which SUVs are fashionable whether people like it or not, and they present themselves as a type of vehicle capable of offering, in a single package, many of the advantages of other segments. Highmotor’s road test section has already seen countless models from this booming sector of the automotive market, but we wanted to analyse it once again. On this occasion, it is the SEAT Arona equipped with the 1.6-litre diesel engine and manual gearbox that takes the lead today, since it is not only one of the most sought-after representatives of the SUV segment, but also of the B-SUVs, or in other words, compact cars made into SUVs.

This category within the SUV segment is in full swing, and many customers turn to it to get a vehicle that at first glance seems very versatile. However, we wanted to check for ourselves how much of this is true and whether a car like the SEAT Arona is really able to successfully meet everyday needs in every possible setting.

A design faithful to the SEAT family

The designers of the Spanish brand drew on the same design language used for other models, such as the Ibiza or the Ateca, to shape the Arona. However, SEAT’s entry-level SUV has a series of features that give it its own personality, a very beneficial characteristic to avoid being confused with other offspring of the brand.

The test unit was enhanced by the Xcellence Edition trim, which sits just below the sportier FR. Thanks to it, we find various elements that give the SEAT Arona a much more exclusive and elegant character, which is reflected at the front, where two very slim headlights, an imposing chrome grille and an angular bumper with sharp lines combine to offer a serious look with a certain dose of sportiness.

The first thing that will catch our eye when looking at the side are the 18-inch alloy wheels fitted to the test unit. Its pronounced lines, which rise in step with the bodywork, have the same effect, aiming to emphasise the SUV look even further. Its roof, finished in a different tone from the rest of the Arona’s body, remains uniform up to the rear, where a small spoiler once again hints at that sporty spirit that we will later discover is genuinely present in the Spanish SUV.

Last but not least, we come to the rear, where two lights chubbier than the front ones continue to showcase SEAT’s latest design canons. But what I find most striking about the back of the Arona is its voluminous bumper, which is adorned with black plastic protection and a central piece finished in grey, the latter adding more exclusivity to the ensemble and hiding the exhaust outlets which, with this finish, are not disguised by trim pieces as they are in the FR.

A sober, well-finished and technological cabin

The interior of the SEAT Arona follows the same philosophy and harmony we see on the exterior, but is enhanced by the presence of the latest technology developed by the Group Volkswagen. At the same time, this is combined with more than adequate finishes, but overall the lines surrounding us in the interior of the Spanish SUV are too sober and austere.

The first thing that catches our attention is a leather-wrapped steering wheel, flattened at the bottom, which provides two button clusters at either end that allow us to control the multimedia system and the Digital Cockpit. That’s right, the smallest of SEAT’s SUVs already features a digital instrument cluster, an option that comes as standard with the Xcellence Edition trim and gives the Arona a much more futuristic and modern look.

Through a 10.25-inch (26 cm) screen, the Arona provides all kinds of information via different menus that the driver can configure to their liking. For more nostalgic customers, there is a view dominated by two traditional dials showing speed and engine revs. However, between them we can display other functions the Spanish SUV offers, such as navigation, music or data from the mobile device. If you do not opt for the Xcellence Edition trim, I strongly recommend spending the 310 euros the brand charges for including the Digital Cockpit in your vehicle.

To complete the technological display, the Arona features an 8-inch touchscreen dominating the dashboard, positioned sensibly and easy to handle even though it appears lower at first glance. It offers simple and intuitive operation, complemented by quick and agile responses, and it supports connection with your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, this is where we find the only truly striking components, as the rest of the Spanish SUV’s interior is sober and austere.

But we should not see this as a negative, because at the same time, we can perceive well-finished fittings. It is true that several pieces are finished in hard plastic, but the leather-trimmed dashboard, the feel of all the controls and the way the Arona’s components are secured give us a sense that good materials have been used, ready to withstand the passage of time diligently.

As for the rear seats, we find rather limited space considering the size of the Spanish SUV. I would even dare to say that the space offered by its sibling, the Ibiza, is greater, even though both models share a platform and wheelbase. Legroom is limited, although it is true that its greater height means occupants’ heads enjoy more comfort. The boot offers 400 litres, a very usable capacity thanks to the completely flat loading lip and the right-angled corners that define it.

At the controls of the SEAT Arona: smooth and more precise than expected

It is true that when we get behind the wheel of an SUV we tend to hold prejudices that are not always fair to this segment, and I admit I made that same mistake. The SEAT Arona, to my surprise, proves to be a far more dynamic vehicle than one might imagine at first, a trait that is becoming increasingly common among the brand’s Spanish range, which are engineered with a discipline that brings out a sportier and firmer side.

The test unit was powered by the 1.6 TDI diesel engine, a turbocharged four-cylinder. It delivers 115 CV of power, produced between 3,250 and 4,000 rpm, and 250 Nm of torque, available from 1,500 to 3,200 rpm, figures more than sufficient to move the SEAT Arona with diligence.

Thanks to the practically immediate delivery of torque, we get an initial push that will help us in any situation. At the same time, peak power arrives right after the 250 Nm, producing an energetic response across the entire rev range, which allows the Spanish SUV equipped with this engine to leave behind the sensation of premature fading typical of any diesel.

The six-speed manual gearbox offers a firm and precise feel, something that pleasantly surprised me in a vehicle geared more towards urban use. The same goes for the suspension, which, tuned slightly firm, makes us feel bumps and road imperfections more forcefully — something I also blame on the 18-inch wheels fitted to the test unit — but in return provides firm and stable dynamic behaviour between bends, although it is possible to feel slight body roll when we push its tuning too hard.

The steering has an appropriate weight, which can be adjusted through the various driving modes the Arona offers, but I missed a little more communication with the road surface itself. Nevertheless, the brand’s entry-level SUV proves an ideal companion for urban life, where its compact dimensions make it perfect for parking or navigating narrow streets. On the motorway it also behaves exemplarily, with impeccable ride comfort and a surprising composure, allowing us to undertake long journeys without suffering, although at certain points we will miss some power, so we will have to downshift to overtake, for example.

On another note, and leaving aside the Spanish SUV’s dynamics, fuel consumption during the test surprised me negatively, as I was unable to bring the average below 6.3 litres/100 km on the motorway and 8.2 litres/100 km in the city, rather high figures for the engine fitted to the Arona. We believe this is due to the low mileage of the tested unit, as these consumption figures will most likely become much more realistic once the engine has completed its running-in.

Conclusion

The SEAT Arona is a vehicle that, in general terms, surprises for the better. It achieves this impression thanks to a modern and up-to-date design that remains faithful to the family it belongs to; a cabin with the latest technology and more than adequate fittings despite the presence of some hard plastics, and an accomplished engine capable of moving the Spanish SUV diligently over any terrain.

With a starting price of 15,050 euros, the SEAT Arona becomes a tough competitor for various models from more mainstream brands. However, if we want to get hold of a unit with the Xcellence Edition trim, we will have to face an outlay of 20,260 euros with no options, a rather high figure that can be brought down through discounts or financing.

In conclusion, if you want a modern urban SUV capable of handling a wide range of tasks both in town and on the motorway, the Arona is a candidate very worth considering. It may be advisable to forgo certain optional extras or the Xcellence Edition trim to achieve a more affordable and appropriate price, although everything will depend on how you plan to use the SEAT Arona, since the available engines vary depending on the trim level you choose.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverSEAT Arona18 versions · from 23,060 €