New SEAT Arona SUV available to order now from £16,555

SEAT has doubled its SUV portfolio with the introduction of the all-new Arona that goes on sale next month at prices starting at £16,555.

The Arona is due on sale from 17th November and joins the larger Ateca in the brand’s expanding SUV range. The line-up will grow again next year to include a seven-seat Skoda Kodiaq rival. The Arona small SUV enters a market that has recently become flush with new arrivals; the Citroen C3 Aircross, Hyundai Kona and Kia Stonic have all appeared within weeks of one another. The Nissan Juke and Renault Captur continue to set the benchmark in this market.

Starting the Arona range will be the SE/SE Technology trim, with the 1-litre three-cylinder 95bhp petrol engine being the base model at £16,555 for the SE and £17,330 for the SE Technology. A First Edition featuring additional storage compartments, keyless entry and adaptive cruise control is available for a limited time costing £18,730.

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Following the SE is the FR trim, starting at £19,680 for a 115bhp version of the 1.0 TSi engine. The sportier FR will feature 17-inch alloys, full LED headlights, tinted rear windows and twin tailpipes. Inside, the FR boasts sports front seats, ambient lighting and various FR trinkets to help it stand out from the rest of the range. Also featuring on the FR models is SEAT’s Drive Profile vehicle performance adjustor with four different settings for the driver to choose from. 

Topping the Arona pile is the Xcellence trim. Ranging between £20,825 for the 1.0 TSi to £24,640 for the 1.6 TDi DSG-auto, the highest trim level offers 18-inch alloys, front parking sensors, rear view camera, parking assist and a sound system from Beats.

SEAT Arona platform and dimensions

Under the skin, the Arona is based on the same MQB AO platform as the new Ibiza supermini. It measures 4,138mm long, making it a few millimetres longer than the Nissan and Renault. Against the Ibiza, the newcomer is a more noticeable 79mm longer. The Arona’s ride height has been raised by 15mm and the firm claims there is 37mm more headroom in the front than in the Ibiza. A 400-litre boot also makes the Arona one of the most practical cars in its class.

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SEAT Arona engine range

Engine and gearbox options are largely adopted from SEAT’s supermini line-up – all are turbocharged units and have stop/start technology. Three petrol engines are offered from launch: a 95bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder, linked to a five-speed manual box, while a 115bhp version is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG auto. A 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine features cylinder deactivation to help reduce fuel consumption, and comes only with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The only diesel in the Arona is a 1.6-litre engine with 95bhp or 115bhp. The lesser-powered unit is paired with a five-speed manual box or a seven-speed DSG, while the 115bhp model gets a six-speed manual.

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The Arona’s styling uses features from both the Ibiza and Ateca, inside and out. The triangular headlamps and sculpted flanks are plucked from the supermini, while the rear lamps and chunky body cladding come from the mid-size SUV.

SEAT Arona technology and customisation options

Customisation also plays a big role, with SEAT claiming there are 68 combinations for the Arona’s lower and upper body. The roof can be grey, black, orange or body-coloured.

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Inside, the car is almost identical to the Ibiza. An eight-inch touchscreen display sits in the middle of the dash, while kit includes wireless phone charging. There’s also a reversing camera and cruise control.

A raft of safety systems will be available, including Multi-Collision braking, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Traffic Alert, which monitors traffic when reversing.

SEAT says it has invested over 900 million Euros into the development of the new supermini and small SUV. 

What do you think of the new SEAT Arona? Let us know in the comments section below…