Seat Arona review

Seat’s smallest crossover. It arrived in 2017, had a mid-life facelift in 2021, and then another late in 2025 to remind us all that Seat does actually still exist. Not everything is a Cupra... yet.

The trend for small crossovers is showing no signs of slowing down either. The Arona can count the Volkswagen T-Cross and Skoda Kamiq as its closest competitors from within VW Group, while it’s also got the Nissan Juke, Ford Puma, Hyundai Kona, Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008, Citroen C3 Aircross and Renault Captur among its many, many rivals these days.

But Seat makes no secret that it’s now the entry point to the VW brand, and it’s targeting the Arona at young lifestyle types with a punchy price tag.

So what’s special about the Arona?

It's actually not a very crossover-y crossover, the Arona. It runs on the same wheelbase as the Ibiza, and the cabin is very similar. In fact, it looks remarkably like Seat’s small hatch after an all-inclusive holiday, save for the kicked-up window line at the rear and contrast roof (available in grey or black).

This latest update introduces refreshed bumpers front and rear, a new hexagonal grille design, slimmer full LED headlights (as standard), revised alloy wheel designs, plus a choice of new paint jobs, all to help keep it down with the kids. Or something.

It still uses the crossover version of the VW Group's MQB A0 platform. You sit higher than a supermini, one of the main reasons folk have fallen in love with the crossover, but less so than many competitors. But it is enough extra height to gain cabin and boot space in a smallish and parkable overall size.

What about engines?

Engines are standard for the small VW Group range: the 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder is available in 94bhp and 113bhp tunes (the former gets a five-speed manual, the latter a choice between six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG auto), or you can still have the 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo plus auto gearbox setup that has now been dropped from the Ibiza. There’s still no four-wheel-drive option.

From 2027, a 1.5-litre eTSI mild hybrid setup will be available – just as you'll find in the new Volkswagen T-Roc. As yet, there are no plans to introduce a fully electric one, simply because it’d be too expensive for its target audience, we’re told. And because Cupra exists, presumably.

And is the interior any good?

The biggest update as part of the latest refresh is a steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather, but otherwise it’s pretty much as you were. Base-spec models get an 8.25in infotainment display, otherwise it's 9.2in across the board. Oh, and there’s also now ventilated wireless charging plus a new six-speaker audio system.

Even so, the Arona’s interior is still a little bland. And while there’s plenty of room up front, space is limited in the rear. The 400-litre boot is about average for the sector, and represents a useful 50-litre jump over the Ibiza. Full details on the Interior tab.

How much does it cost?

In the UK, prices start at just over £23k for the lowly SE trim and a 94bhp triple with a manual gearbox. Want to part with much more cash? Four trims are available, and a top-spec FR Sport with the four-cylinder engine is the wrong side of £30k. Full details over on the Buying tab.

The Arona drives pleasingly enough, offers easy to use tech, and it’s as roomy in the cabin and boot as most rivals. It has no glaring faults. But while the facelift improves a couple of aspects it still feels routine, and a little last decade.

Little imagination or effort has been put into making it different to the Ibiza. Not in the visuals nor the practicalities – it lacks a unique selling point. And mini crossovers are a difficult breed as a whole, because none are great to drive and they cost as much as the better-handling hatchbacks they're based on.

Unless you love the looks or are sold on the (slightly) higher driving position, we'd say get a Leon. It looks smarter, it’s better to drive, it has a better cabin and offers roughly the same space. And it’s only slightly more expensive. Win-win.