Carro Reviews: The All-New SEAT Arona 1.0 EcoTSi

These days, it’s all about Crossovers or Compact SUVs. Just take a look around the carpark or the next time you’re driving, it doesn’t look like this trend will die anytime soon. So how do automakers cut through the clutter? Provide consumers with a nimble crossover that’s still practical and functional, just like the SEAT Arona. The Spanish brand does an excellent job in creating a car that has a good amount of features you want and need.

The Spanish automakers, under the Volkswagen Group, was also late to the party – SEAT joined an increasingly congested market of compact crossovers long after other major car brands. But was the wait worth it?

We definitely think so. The SEAT Arona is an excellent compact crossover option. The Arona offers sufficient power, excellent fuel-economy with practical features and space. Which makes it a quality option for you to consider.

Aggressive Ruggedness with Stylish Elegance

Mouths ajar, eyes twinkling, heart racing. That’s how we felt when we first laid eyes on the Arona. The compact crossover has a beautiful and youthful design with the right mix of aggression and elegance.

Winner of the Red Dot Design Award 2018 in the category of Best Product Design, the Arona is truly a stunner. From top to toe, the car is designed with sharp curves and sleek indentations throughout its body. Further adding to the aggression is SEAT’s signature head and tail lamps.

The Arona is also treated with two-tone paint which is separated by silver trimmings. We especially liked the engraved ‘X’ on these silver portions, adding a whole lot of character to the crossover.

On top of the Arona lies a functioning roof rack which gives the compact crossover an all-terrain feel. The same feeling you get when you look at a Jeep or Land Rover. While we thought that the grilles on the Ibiza gave it a cheap-ish feel, the grilles on the Arona gives it an extra bit of ruggedness.

Even though the SEAT Arona has an aggressive and rugged feel, curves at the right places give the crossover some elegance and style. Which makes it a universal option, appealing to a lot of different groups.

Functional Quality

Just like the Ibiza, the SEAT Arona is built on the Volkswagen Group’s new platform, the MQB A0. Which means that the Arona is pretty small and might drive away buyers looking for a bigger car.

But once you step into the Arona, you get a feel of quality and functionality throughout. The designs are not exaggerated, they lean towards a humble and simple approach with driver and passengers’ comfort in mind. The user experience is excellent.

Generally, the ride is pretty comfortable. The cabin offers enough legroom and headroom for the average sized Singaporean, the cabin can comfortably fit a family of four. But adding another person into the equation might cause some problems, especially if they’re taller or wider.

While passengers might suffer a little with a full load of five, the two front seats are well supported and comfortable enough (even for a big guy). So, driving up to Kuala Lumpur will be a breeze.

The absence of an armrest for the driver made it feel quite awkward. But then again, it’s more of a nice-to-have and not really a must-have.

When it comes to design, it’s the little things that count the most. And there’s a lot of thought put into the design of the Arona. Like with the placement of the infotainment system, it’s slightly tilted to the driver. Which makes it easier for the driver to read. The system is one of the best we’ve used and can be controlled entirely from the steering wheel, providing further convenience for the driver.

Despite the Arona’s small frame, there’s a decent amount of storage space in the cabin. The best part is… the trunk is exceptionally huge for a compact crossover, able to carry up to 400 litres with foldable rear seats providing more space.

Sturdy and Economical Drive

On paper, the SEAT Arona offers little to rave about. But when you’re in the driver’s seat, cruising on the highway or cutting through busy neighborhoods, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how the she moves.

Under the hood, the Arona is fitted with a turbocharged 1.0-litre engine and can deliver 114bhp. It’s not really impressive figures but on the move, it’s still exciting to drive. However, we must say, the pick-up can feel a bit weak and sometimes a bit lazy too. But it’s not to the extent where it becomes really annoying.

Even though the SEAT Arona is pretty small, you still get a decent amount of presence on the road. It gives the driver a sense of sturdiness and strength. Just enough to make you feel assured without it being too sluggish.

The compact crossover is easy to handle and manoeuvering through tight corners is extremely comfortable without much body roll. There’s that sense of nimbleness to the drive which is probably why driving the Arona is like child’s play. It’s a smooth ride and unlike some other cars, your driving experience won’t matter.

Not only is the Arona a comfortable and stable drive, it’s also practical. There’s more than enough storage space in the car and the trunk space is one of the best in its class. But that’s not all, the compact crossover boasts decent fuel consumption figures at 20km/l.

Last Words

Everyone has a different idea of what it takes to be considered a good ride. Some look at the price, some look at speed while others look at the overall practicality. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach but we truly believe that the SEAT Arona ticks most boxes.

Easy to handle, decent power under the hood, offers comfort and practicality and the best part is… she’s modestly priced. We highly recommend trying this compact crossover out because we really love (almost) everything about it!

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