Seat Arona continues to lead for the sixth consecutive month, the classification of best-selling cars in Spain in 2021. With almost 19,000 units delivered since January, Seat’s urban SUV is the favorite to become the best-selling car of the year in the Spanish market, with a wide advantage over the Hyundai Tucson, second in the ranking of registrations 2,000 units away.
Seat Arona: sales leader in Spain
It would be a tremendous success for the Arona, a vehicle that was launched on the market at the end of October 2017 and that in just four years of life has become a benchmark in its segment ( B-SUV ), the one that has grown the most in the recent years with a multitude of models of all brands. In addition, it would be the first time that an SUV of any type leads the list of the best-selling new cars in our country after several unsuccessful attempts at the Nissan Qashqai and the recent arreón of the Tucson, larger and more expensive than the Arona.
Another Seat as ‘king of the market’
If the year ended like this, a Seat would once again return to the top of the ranking 12 months after the Seat León, king of the Spanish market for five consecutive years, lost the throne to the Dacia Sandero, which led sales in 2020 amid the crisis in the sector due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Seat Arona FR test
We have just tested the Seat Arona 1.5 TSI 150 CV DSG with FR finish, the most powerful, sporty, and best-equipped version of the range, which is available for 27,580 euros without discounts or brand promotions. An extra spice for the Spanish urban SUV that makes it one of the most complete and dynamic crossovers (utility vehicles with bodywork and raised suspensions) on the market.
Power and performance
Our test unit is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that develops a maximum power of 150 hp and a maximum torque of 250 Nm, making it perfectly qualified to go on a trip at any time. In addition, the engine is associated with the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, which makes driving much more comfortable and relaxing both in the city and on the highway.
Driving impressions
With these power figures, the 150 hp Arona FR can accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 8.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 210 km / h (if only as a reference, since we will always drive at legal speeds). Thanks to the Seat Drive Profile system, four driving modes can be selected ( Eco, Comfort, Sport, and the configurable Individual ), which act slightly (we have not noticed big differences) on the feel of the steering, the response of the engine and the setting of the suspension.
To the thrust of the engine, quite spirited and cheerful without having to take it to maximum revolutions, it is added that the Arona only weighs 1,268 kg, about 100 kilos more than the Seat Ibiza, the utility from which it derives. Both models are developed on the same platform, the MQB-A0 from the Volkswagen Group.
However, in the Arona, the inertia of the body and the greater weight is noticeable a little more, although the difference is not great. A few days later we had the opportunity to test the Ibiza with the same 150 hp 1.5 TSI engine and we got the impression that the utility is a bit more agile and dynamic than the crossover. It is also logical.
Measurements and weight
The Arona is a Seat Ibiza with a raised body, so both have very similar measurements. The urban SUV is 8 cm longer (it reaches 4,138 mm) and almost 11 cm higher than the Ibiza (1,552 mm), but they are the same width (1,780 mm) and the wheelbase is practically identical (2,566 mm, barely 2mm more than the Ibiza).
More interior space than the Ibiza
Inside, the differences are also minimal, but logically the Arona comes out winning in habitability and load capacity. Thanks to its greater height, the cabin is easily accessible and passengers have more headroom, especially those in the rear row, although, incidentally, the space is quite fair for three medium-sized adults.
Larger trunk
Do not be obsessed with the habitability of the rear seats either (unless you have three children of deserving age), because most of the time we will travel with children behind (two better than three), for which there is plenty of space. Where we do find a significant difference is in the trunk: that of the Arona cubes 400 liters, 45 more than that of the Ibiza, a compelling reason for many families to prefer the urban crossover.
The consumption of fuel is also very similar. The Arona approves an average consumption of 6.1 l / 100 km compared to the 6 l / 100 km of the Ibiza with the same engine, automatic transmission, and FR finish. We would say that the real consumption is closer to 6 liters, which was what the onboard computer of our test unit marked after traveling 834 kilometers, most of the time on the highway with four occupants onboard ( two adults and two children, what had he told you?). Both the Arona FR and the Ibiza FR have the DGT C label.
Seat Arona price
The Seat Arona can be purchased in Spain for 18,970 euros (without discounts or brand promotions) for the access version with a 95 hp 1.0 TSI engine, five-speed manual gearbox, and Reference finish. This same model has been available in summer for less than 15,000 euros with a financing offer and by delivering an old vehicle to the dealer.
