Seat Arona
Used Car Review

Overview

Looking for a small SUV that’s practical without breaking the bank? The Seat Arona might be exactly what you need. This Spanish crossover brings together the high driving position and chunky looks of an SUV with the running costs and easy handling of a hatchback. It’s designed for drivers who want something more adventurous than a traditional small car but don’t need the bulk or expense of a full-sized SUV.

The Arona stands out in the crowded small SUV market with its bold, youthful styling and competitive pricing. Unlike some rivals that can feel flimsy or cheap, the Arona benefits from Volkswagen Group engineering and quality. It shares its platform with the Seat Ibiza, which means proven reliability wrapped in a more practical SUV body. The cabin feels well built, and the driving experience is surprisingly refined for such an affordable crossover.

What makes the Arona appealing is how it balances practicality with personality. It offers more space and versatility than a hatchbook, yet it’s still compact enough for city driving and parking. The boot is genuinely useful, and the higher seating position gives you a commanding view of traffic. While it faces stiff competition from rivals like the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage, the Arona’s combination of value, style, and everyday usability makes it a compelling choice for young families or anyone wanting their first SUV.

What's the Seat Arona Like to Drive?

The Seat Arona keeps things simple with a range of efficient turbocharged petrol engines. The entry level 1.0 litre TSI with 95 horsepower is adequate for urban driving and light motorway use. Most buyers will find the 110 horsepower version of the same engine more appealing, offering better flexibility and easier overtaking. At the top of the range, the 150 horsepower 1.5 litre unit provides genuinely brisk performance, getting you from 0 to 60mph in around 8.5 seconds.

On the road, the Arona feels more like a raised hatchback than a traditional SUV, which is actually a good thing. The steering is light and precise, making parking and city manoeuvres effortless. The ride quality strikes a good balance between comfort and control. It soaks up most bumps and potholes without feeling bouncy or unsettled. The compact SUV handles twisty country roads with confidence, though it’s clearly tuned more for comfort than sporty driving. Road noise is well controlled, and the engines are smooth and refined, making longer journeys pleasant and relaxing.

How Comfortable Is the Seat Arona?

Step inside the Arona and you’ll immediately notice the quality cabin that feels more premium than the price suggests. The dashboard design is clean and modern, dominated by a touchscreen infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The materials feel solid throughout, with soft touch plastics where you’re likely to touch them most. The fit and finish is impressive, reflecting the benefits of Volkswagen Group engineering and quality control.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, with plenty of adjustment to find your ideal driving position. The raised seating position gives you an excellent view over traffic, which many drivers find confidence inspiring. Rear seat space is good for this class, with enough room for two adults on shorter trips or three children. The cabin is pleasantly quiet at cruising speeds, with effective sound deadening keeping road and wind noise to a minimum. Higher spec models add features like climate control, sports seats, and ambient lighting that enhance the upmarket feel even further.

The Seat Arona succeeds in delivering exactly what it promises: an affordable, practical, and well built small SUV that doesn’t compromise on quality. It offers the versatility and commanding driving position that buyers want from an SUV, combined with the fuel economy and easy handling of a hatchback. The interior quality is genuinely impressive for the price, and the range of efficient engines means there’s an option to suit most needs and budgets.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

Is the Seat Arona Expensive to Run?

The Arona scores well when it comes to running costs, which is one of its key attractions. The efficient TSI engines deliver excellent real world fuel economy, with most versions achieving between 45 and 52 mpg in mixed driving. This means fewer stops at petrol stations and lower monthly fuel bills. Insurance groups are reasonable too, typically falling into groups 10 to 15, which keeps premiums manageable for younger drivers and families.

Purchase prices are competitive, with the Arona undercutting many premium rivals while offering similar levels of equipment and quality. Seat’s warranty is comprehensive, and the brand has a good reputation for reliability based on the proven Volkswagen Group components. Servicing costs are moderate, and parts availability is excellent thanks to the shared platform with other VW Group models. For those looking at finance options, car finance packages are widely available with competitive rates, making the Arona accessible to a broad range of buyers.

Seat Arona Practicality & Boot Space

For a compact SUV, the Arona is impressively practical. The 400 litre boot is genuinely useful, easily swallowing a week’s shopping or several large suitcases for a family holiday. The rear seats fold down to create a flat loading floor, extending the cargo space significantly for bulky items like furniture or sports equipment. The wide tailgate opening makes loading and unloading easy, while the relatively low loading lip means you don’t have to lift heavy items too high.

Inside the cabin, there are plenty of storage spaces for phones, drinks, and everyday items. The door pockets are a decent size, and there’s useful storage under the centre armrest. The higher seating position makes getting in and out easier than a traditional hatchback, which older passengers particularly appreciate. For small families or couples, the Arona offers all the space you need for daily life while remaining compact enough for easy parking and city driving. It’s a sweet spot that explains why used Seat cars in this segment are so popular.

The Seat Arona stands out in the competitive small SUV market by offering genuine quality and practicality at a fair price. It combines the best aspects of hatchback ownership with the versatility and presence of an SUV. The efficient engines, spacious interior, and solid build quality make it an excellent choice for buyers who prioritise everyday usability over flashy features or ultimate performance.

You choose the Arona because it makes sense. It’s practical enough for family life, efficient enough to keep running costs reasonable, and stylish enough to feel special. Whether you’re navigating city streets or heading out on weekend adventures, the Arona delivers a refined and confident driving experience. For buyers seeking their first SUV or looking to downsize without sacrificing practicality, especially when considering cars under £10,000 on the used market, the Arona represents excellent value.