DESIGN & ENGINEERING

THIS small SUV sector is one of the fastest-growing areas of the market, and while SEAT might have been a little late to the crossover party, releasing its mid-size Ateca model only in 2016, this smaller Arona SUV has quickly arrived to bolster the line-up.

It’s a familiar recipe, as the Arona uses the same A0 MQB underpinnings as the brand’s Ibiza hatchback. This means its proportions are similar overall, but the small SUV stands a sizeable 99m higher than its supermini stablemate (including a ride height raised by 15mm). SEAT says this helps with ground clearance for “off-road adventures”, but the likelihood of the Arona venturing off the tarmac isn’t especially strong, so the extra front and rear headroom will be more useful. It feels more like an SUV than the Stonic in particular, as the Kia’s supermini roots are more evident due to its driving position.

You’re raised up in the Arona. It feels tall and tough, while a more vertical windscreen compared with the Ibiza’s means the visibility is good. FR trim is at the sportier end of the SEAT line-up, and although it costs £19,895, it gets plenty of kit. This includes satellite navigation, Carplay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, climate control, sportier styling – including tinted windows and 17-inch alloys – and parking sensors.

Material quality is OK but nothing more, as there are plenty of hard plastics throughout the SEAT’S cabin. The angular design is interesting, and it doesn’t compromise either ergonomics or practicality when it comes to storage or using the infotainment set-up. The interior feels of slightly higher quality than the Kia’s, even if it doesn’t have such attractive elements as the Citroen’s.