SEAT has updated the Arona small crossover, the car which, when launched, was kinda the first in its class to convince us that a small SUV could actually be a decent car.
The changes SEAT has wrought for this mid-life update are perhaps not dramatic, but there have been some significant updates. You'll spot a new Arona from the outside by dint of its new front-end - the overall shape is more upright, while there are new details such as a 'hot-stamped' grille, and new round inset foglights which, oddly, give the Arona a bit of a look of the old Skoda Yeti.
New colour options
All of the exterior lights are now LED units, while round the back, there's a new bumper, a diffuser, and a roof spoiler. There are two new alloy wheel designs, in 17 or 18-inch sizes, and three new colour options - Dark Camouflage, Asphalt Blue and Sapphire Blue - alongside contrast roof colour choices of Midnight Black, Magnetic Tech and the new Candy White.
Inside, the cabin is actually quite different, and you can see the influence of the pared-back, minimalist style of the new Leon, and Volkswagen's ID family. The central touchscreen is now free-standing and comes in either 8.25-inch (standard) or 9.2-inch (SE models and up) sizes. FR Sport and Xperience Lux models also get a new 10-inch digital instrument panel, and there is a multi-function steering wheel with Nappa leather wrapped around the rim. There are also neat little LED highlights around the air vents, in different colours depending on the trim - Daring Red for FR trim and Aran Green for Xperience.
In the back, rear seat passengers now get map lights, while the boot remains unchanged, but with a 400-litre capacity, there was never much wrong with it in the first place.
Live connected services
On that big touchscreen, you'll find more connectivity options, including (wireless) Apple CarPlay or (wired) Android Auto. There's a new voice recognition system, and SEAT's CONNECT setup, which gives you access to live services, including driving data, parking position, vehicle's status including doors and lights, set-up speed alerts so you can be warned if someone using your vehicle is driving too quickly, area and anti-theft alerts, opening and closing of the doors with the remote lock and unlock service, or remotely activating the horn and turn signals to find the car more easily.
In safety terms, there's a new optional Travel Assist system, which gives the Arona radar-guided cruise control and lane-keeping steering, while there's also blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and automated parking.
Three petrol engines
Engine-wise, there are two petrol 1.0-litre TSI turbo three-cylinder engines, ranging from 95hp to 110hp, with an optional DSG automatic for the 110hp version, alongside a 150hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol.
The Arona's been a big success for SEAT, having found 350,000 owners since 2017. "The urban SUV market has grown significantly and the SEAT Arona's adaptability makes it an enormously important model for the company," said Wayne Griffiths, President of SEAT and CUPRA. "The updated Arona adds even more functionality, both digital and safety-focused, in a revised form inside and out."