Why Lease The Arona?
by: Chris PickeringChris Pickering is a freelance motoring journalist who has spent more than a decade reviewing the latest models from around the world. He knows the motor industry inside out, having previously worked in product development for a major car manufacturer.
If you want to understand the nation’s love affair with SUVs and crossovers, look no further than the Seat Arona. This is not an SUV in the traditional sense – it’s certainly not a big, brawny off-roader. But it offers everything that most people really want from that sort of car – an elevated driving position, a good level of practicality and more interior space than you’d find in a conventional hatchback. Throw in economical engines, crisp handling and attractive pricing and you have a recipe for success.
That’s not to say that the Arona has everything its own way. Most car manufacturers now offer a compact crossover, not least Seat’s own VW Group sister companies Skoda and Volkswagen. So should the Arona be your choice? Read on to find out.
Practicality
The Arona’s SUV-like styling can be a little deceptive. In reality, this pint-sized crossover is scarcely any bigger than the Seat Ibiza supermini with which it shares its underlying platform. Considering this compact footprint, the Arona offers an impressive amount of room inside.
Even tall adults will find adequate space in the back, while the 400-litre boot capacity is useful step up from a traditional hatchback. It also has a number of clever features, such as a two-level boot floor, which can be lowered to increase the overall luggage capacity or raised to give a completely flat surface with no lip.
Interior
You sit sufficiently high up in the Arona to lend it a bit of an SUV feel, not to mention slightly better forward visibility than you might find in a normal hatchback. The view out the back, on the other hands, is slightly compromised by the Arona’s small rear window. Nonetheless, its compact dimensions and parking sensors (standard from the second-tier SE Technology model upwards) mean that it’s still a doddle to park.
The cabin design is clean and fairly minimalist – dominated by the same angles and creases that characterise the exterior. There are perhaps a few more hard plastics than you might find in its more expensive rivals, but the interior quality is generally good.
Even the SE base model comes with cruise control, air conditioning and smartphone connectivity. That said, it’s the mid-range models that make the most sense. SE Technology adds a much better infotainment system, with a larger 8-inch touchscreen display, which is responsive and intuitively laid out. It also brings satellite navigation, as well as wireless phone charging and a punchy Beats Audio stereo system. The latter is worth the extra outlay on its own, with impressive sound quality for a car at this price.
The Arona FR adds a series of sporty styling tweaks, along with LED headlights, dual zone climate control and cloth sports seats. Beyond that the top-spec Xcellence and Xcellence Lux models extend to features like Park Assist, keyless entry and a digital instrument cluster. These are worthwhile additions if you can find a good deal, but the sweet spot arguably lies further down the range.
What's it like to drive?
The Arona feels pleasingly light on its feet, despite delivering decent levels of refinement and a composed ‘big car’ ride quality. In FR and FR Sport trim, it receives stiffer suspension settings, which bring even more agility, but they also introduce a bit of an edge to the ride. Either way, it sits towards the upper end of the class for dynamics.
Three petrol engines are available: a 1-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder unit in 95PS or 115PS forms, plus a 1.5-litre 150PS 4-cylinder. The 3-cylinder engine delivers plenty of low-down torque, which means that even the 95PS version feels quite nippy around town. The 115PS variant feels more at home on the motorway, but still returns up to 48.7 mpg. On paper, the 1.5-litre unit offers very nearly the same economy, but with a considerable step up in performance (and indeed price). Nought to 62mph in this model takes just 8.2 seconds.
There’s also a 1.6-litre diesel, producing 95PS. This is the slowest model in the range, but the upside is that it delivers up to 58.9mpg. It’s available with a choice of a 5-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Meanwhile, the entry level petrol comes with a 5-speed manual, while the others offer a choice of a 7-speed DSG or a satisfyingly snappy 6-speed manual.
Verdict
The Seat Arona is stylish, practical and good to drive. Plus, it has a solid reputation for reliability and an enviable record in customer satisfaction surveys. Stick to the mid-range models and it also offers an impressive amount of kit for the money, making this compact crossover one of the most complete offerings in its class. Visit our Seat Arona leasing page to see the latest deals.
