Seat Arona drive by Steve Rogers
We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to small
family cars.
I have driven several this year and pinning down the
best is becoming a struggle.
My top pick is still the Toyota Yaris Cross (I think)
but I was impressed with the new Skoda Fabia, which has come on leaps and
bounds, but like its Seat Arona cousin a little more.
Launched in 2017 Arona is a compact SUV and Seat’s
second of the new breed of crossovers after Ateca, arguably the best handling
SUV in its class, so no surprises that this is a fun car to drive.
As part of the Volkswagen group Arona roughly mirrors
VW T-Cross and Skoda Kamiq although it has its own personality. Much of this is
down to the sporty character of the Ibiza supermini and this is carried through
to its slightly higher riding sibling.
It is a tough, crowded market and car companies have
their work cut out in the battle for sales but Arona, like all Seat models
named after a Spanish town or city, can take its place on the top table. It is
good value, well equipped and great to drive.
It was freshened up a year ago, Seat concentrating on
improving cabin trim quality and technology upgrades. This makes for an
impressive dashboard with superbly clear graphics in a 9.2in touchscreen
(8.25in on entry SE) providing a raft of information along with the usual
radio, navigation and smartphone links.
A new feature is Seat Connect giving
access to a range of remote services including driving data, parking position, anti-theft
alerts, remotely opening
and closing the doors, or remotely activating the horn and turn signals to find
the car.
You can even set
up alerts to monitor the speed of whoever
is driving the car, very handy when newly qualified children are let loose in the family car.
I particularly like
the new digital binnacle which covers a full 10.25in and can be configured in a
variety of razor sharp designs. The whole layout has brought a more youthful,
up to date feel to the car and is one of its best features.
As one of the two
newish members of the Volkswagen-Audi group Seat has taken on the sporty role
against Skoda’s sensible approach and even though Arona is a crossover it still
handles like a hot hatch but with a surprising level of comfort.
I was expecting a
hard, uncompromising ride from my FR Sport but credit to Seat for combining
sharp handling with a suspension set up that keeps the car firmly planted and
able to overcome the vagaries of our not so smooth roads.
Arona is not quite
as roomy as its Kamiq cousin but given its relatively small dimensions could,
at a push, seat three adults in the back where legroom can accommodate six
footers but it will be a bit of a squeeze. On the plus side three children will
not be squashed in like sardines in a tin.
Boot space is more
than you will find in a larger Ford Focus or VW Golf so Arona should definitely
be on the list as a family car.
It is less expensive
than some of its main rivals and the entry SE has a generous spec sheet that
includes LED headlights, rare for an entry level model, 17in alloys, smartphone
connection and Seat Connect, cruise control, speed limiter and power front and
rear windows.
My FR Sport had the
digital driver display, navigation, heated seats and keyless entry, but my pick
would be the one above base SE Technology 95TSI manual which is a good buy at
£20,510.
FR models get the
larger three-cylinder 108bhp petrol engine which will not blow you away but has
enough zip for safe overtaking helped along by a slick six speed manual
gearbox. Its note is a little gruff at low speeds but is a smooth cruiser.
Expect to average around 50mpg with a light foot, with 57mpg achievable on long
runs.
What would make
Arona even better? Hybrid power to push the average to 60mpg along with lower
emissions which is why I am still sticking with the Yaris Cross hybrid as my
top pick.
Fast Facts
Arona FR Sport
£25,225 (range
starts £19,600)
1-litre 108bhp 6sp
manual
0-62mph 10.6secs;
118mph
47.9-51.4mpg
combined
124g/km. 1st tax
£190
Insurance group 12
Boot 400 litres
