SEAT has revealed its new car for the compact SUV market which is called the Arona. It is based on the Ibiza and will rival the likes of the Renault Captur, Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka X and Peugeot 2008.
This is only SEAT’s second-ever production SUV, following the launch of the larger Ateca last year. Sales of the SEAT Arona will reportedly start around this October, with pricing likely to start from approximately £15,000.
The design of the Arona is no doubt reminiscent of the latest Ibiza, but compared to that car the Arona is longer, has a taller ride height, much chunkier bumpers and side skirts and the noticeable inclusion of roof rails.
Compared to other entries in the compact SUV segment, the Arona will be one of the largest and most practical in its class with the boot offering an eye-catching 400 litres of load space as standard.
UK specification details have yet to be finalised, but it can be expected that the Arona will use numerous engines and gearbox options sourced from the Ibiza it is based on. A few petrol engine options are likely, including a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit with 95bhp and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
A 115bhp version of the 1.0-litre unit with a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed DSG automatic ‘box is also set to be included, along with a 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel with 95bhp or 115bhp.
Customisation is a theme of the SEAT Arona’s design, with 68 colour combinations possible for the car’s lower and upper body.
Inside meanwhile, the Arona features an eight-inch touchscreen and the list of kit available includes the likes of a reversing camera, cruise control and wireless phone charging. There’s plenty of safety kit too with the likes of blind spot detection, multi-collision braking and rear traffic alert for reversing available.
