Orders open for Seat’s baby SUV

Another week, another SUV. This time it’s Seat’s turn to launch a new model.

The Spanish car maker has announced pricing and specs for its Arona compact SUV, which will be on sale from the middle of next month.

The new Arona will cost from £16,555 when it arrives in UK showrooms on November 17.

It sits underneath the excellent Ateca in Seat’s burgeoning SUV line up.

It’s a handsome little beast that will take on everything from the Nissan Juke to the Ford Ecosport and upcoming Volkswagen T-roc.

Available in six trim options – SE, SE Technology, FR, FR Sport, Xcellence and Xcellence Lux – the Arona also comes with two launch-exclusive models – the SE Technology First Edition and Xcellence First Edition – which will be on offer for a limited time.

Standard features from the SE spec level include 17in alloy wheels, two-tone bodywork, black roof rails, LED daytime running lights and rear lights, air conditioning, electric windows, a 5in touchscreen for the infotainment system, Bluetooth and AUX/ USB connections.

Safety systems from the base trim include front assist, automatic braking if an impending collision is sensed, hill hold control and tiredness recognition, as well as cruise control, airbags and Isofix child seat mounting points.

With FR models the Arona gets sportier features, such as sports seats, a sporty, flat-bottomed steering wheel, chrome detailing, dark-tinted windows and altered sports bodywork, as well as Seat Drive Profile – which lets you choose different driving modes – and dual-zone air conditioning. FR Sport models get dynamic chassis control, 18in alloys and Alcantara upholstery.

At launch, the new Arona will be available with a choice of five powertrains, all featuring direct injection, turbocharging and an automatic stop-start function.

The Xcellence trim level adds more overall practicality, with the keyless entry and go, storage pockets, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert. The Lux version also comes with front parking sensors, a rear-view camera, parking assist and 18in alloys.

There are three petrol units, a onelitre TSI with 95hp, matched to a fivespeed manual gearbox; this is also available with 115hp, and with a sixth gear added to the transmission.

There’s a sporty 1.5-litre petrol with 150hp and a 1.6-litre diesel with either 95 or 115hp.

Combined fuel economy for the onelitre petrol – likely to be the most popular engine – is up to 57.6mpg The more powerful version of this three-cylinder unit will also be offered with DSG automatic transmission.

Orders for the Arona can be placed now and the first customers should receive their cars on November 17.

jmckeown@thecourier.co.uk

The new Seat Arona is available to order now, priced from £16,555, with deliveries commencing next month.