Last year the SEAT Arona became the second best-selling model of the Spanish brand. And this despite it being a very young car, competing in one of the segments with the most competition on the market, where practically every brand already has a presence.

Indeed, the SEAT Arona was launched in 2017, yet more than 350,000 units have already been sold. In the Spanish market it is currently the sales leader so far this year. And now, with this renewal, the SEAT Arona has more arguments to keep winning over customers. Both those looking for something more than a city car and those who simply want an SUV alternative to a compact without giving up some versatility and at a competitive price.

Design: an Arona that is even more SUV

The exterior changes to the Arona are few, but well targeted. They are basically aimed at giving it a more rugged look, which is achieved especially with the new X-Perience trim, which replaces the previous Xcellence.

All versions receive LED headlights with all functions as standard, along with a slightly modified grille, new alloy wheel designs and three new body colours. It is also now possible to opt for three contrasting roof colours: black, grey and white. At the rear, the fresh touch comes from the new diffuser and spoiler. As on the new Ibiza, the SEAT logo stands out with its two-tone chrome finish.

There are also changes inside, where the main lines of the dashboard design are retained but with more prominent, higher-quality materials and a notable leap in everything related to digitalisation. As a basic option the multimedia system screen measures 8.25 inches, and optionally (standard on the FR) it reaches 9.2 inches, in both cases positioned higher up. The instrumentation can be digital, with a 10.25-inch screen offering many customisation possibilities and high-quality graphics.

New upholstery or the painted air vents with optional lighting complete a cabin that continues to stand out for the space it offers relative to the car’s external size, with a boot that retains its 400-litre capacity.

More connected with the SEAT CONNECT app

As in the new SEAT Ibiza, connectivity also advances thanks to the Full Link system which allows the multimedia screen to integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto without the need for a cable. The wireless phone charger is standard from the X-Perience trim, and the voice control system recognises natural language phrases, so there is no need to learn pre-set commands.

Another novelty in connectivity is the eSIM card integrated in the car and the services it enables, from the emergency call to remote functions via the SEAT Connect app: locking and unlocking the car, setting alarms or alerts, and so on.

SEAT Arona engines: 110 CV is enough… and better with DSG

Since the TDI options disappeared from the range, one of the first questions is whether to choose one of the four petrol engines or the TGI natural gas version, which we will discuss later.

The petrol engine range offers two variants of the 1.0 TSI three-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 95 and 110 CV, and the 1.5 EcoTSI with 150 CV and four cylinders. The less powerful version is only offered with a manual gearbox. The 110 CV version is available in some trims with DSG dual-clutch gearbox as an alternative to the manual for an extra €1,200, and the 1.5 EcoTSI is always paired with the DSG.

As a first recommendation, the 110 CV 1.0 TSI is a “well-rounded” engine for the Arona. The 95 CV version will not fall short if your budget does not let you take the step up; the advantage of the “smaller” engine is that it is offered with the entry-level Reference trim, whereas the 110 CV starts from the second level, called Style.

But my recommendation is to make the effort for the 110 CV… and if you can also fit the DSG gearbox. For equal equipment it costs only €1,200 more, and believe me, it provides driving comfort that is worth much more than that, without negatively affecting performance or consumption, quite the contrary. Regardless of that, the performance advantage is considerable thanks also to its greater pulling power (25 Nm more torque), and since it feels more “relaxed”, the real average consumption will be lower than that of the 95 CV.

Since we are talking about consumption, I’ll give you figures. Because the 1.0 TSI is an engine “with character”. It can use very little, around 6.5 l/100 km if you drive very smoothly. But normally you will settle at averages of 7–7.5 l/100 km… and that figure will clearly rise by a couple of litres if you ask the little three-cylinder for everything it is capable of, as consumption is very sensitive to driving pace and road conditions.

The 150 CV version is offered only with the FR trim, which is the one that best suits this engine. The 1.5 EcoTSI is not an especially sporty engine, but its performance matches what customers expect when they know the letters FR imply a very well-tuned chassis for enjoying winding roads too, as we experienced with the Arona during our first drive.

No diesel… but also with CNG natural gas

The 1.0 TGI in the CNG version produces 90 CV, enough to move the Arona with reasonable agility. And it is available with all trims in the range, including the FR, though only with a manual gearbox. The price difference compared with the 110 CV 1.0 TSI for equal equipment is less than €1,000, which you will recoup very quickly. Firstly, because this engine has a €700 discount. But even if that were not the case, you would do so thanks to the extremely low cost per kilometre of the Arona TGI.

Only SUVs running on LPG can compete with it in this respect, since with CNG you will save even compared with a turbo-diesel of similar performance. Between 25 and 30%, no small amount. The downside is that if you choose a car like the Arona you will likely need a good boot, and the gas tanks reduce the luggage space of the Arona to 262 litres, which is much less than what an Ibiza offers, for example. However, the Arona TGI is the only one in the range that displays the ECO environmental label from the DGT.

What applies to all Aronas, regardless of engine, is the excellent balance offered by the chassis. It is an easy car to drive (especially with the DSG gearbox), to which any driver adapts very easily, and which stands out from other SUVs in this category because it offers a very “saloon-like” feel.

Prices, equipment and discounts on the Seat Arona

An important new feature in terms of equipment is that the new Arona completes its range of safety systems with the travel assistant, which combines active cruise control with lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition. Also new to the range are the side assist, automatic high beam and automatic parking assistant with automatic manoeuvres.

When it comes to choosing trims, there is not much doubt. The Reference is only offered with the entry-level engine. With the most recommended engine in the range, the 110 CV TSI, you can choose between the Style, the X-Perience or the FR. The Style has an extremely complete standard specification, and you can always opt for the well-designed optional packs.

Therefore, the Arona 1.0 TSI 110 CV in Style trim would be our recommendation, and if you can, remember, with the DSG gearbox. With this trim you already get front differential XDS, adaptive cruise control, side assist, rear traffic alert and 16-inch wheels.

If the more eye-catching look of the X-Perience catches your attention, it costs almost €2,500 more. That is not expensive, considering that alongside the aesthetic details it adds the Full Link connectivity system, wireless charger, two-zone climate control, parking sensors and parking assistant, rear-view camera, or keyless entry and start. Among the features that distinguish it from the rest are the 17-inch wheels, specific bumpers and door sills, and chrome roof rails.

With the FR trim, the one with the most dynamic approach, the driving mode selector and the larger multimedia screen are added, along with the styling elements that give the Arona a sportier image.

The prices start from €19,870 for the 1.0 TSI 95 CV Reference, from €22,210 for the 1.0 TSI Style and from €28,020 for the 1.5 EcoTSI DSG FR. The base discount is €1,260 for the 95 CV version, €1,060 for the 110 and 150 CV TSI versions, and €1,700 for the TGI.

To this discount you can add another €2,600 through financing. In this case, as we always say, do not overlook the interesting SEAT Confianza Package, which for €100 extends the warranty to 5 years, adds 5 years of free maintenance and comprehensive insurance for the first year.

If we compare a SEAT Arona with an equivalent Ibiza in terms of engine and trim, choosing the SUV carries a premium of around €3,700. You can read our first drive of the new SEAT Ibiza here, which was renewed at the same time as the Arona,

Image gallery of the new SEAT Arona

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverSEAT Arona18 versions · from 23,060 €