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Which used SEAT Arona should you buy?

Since the SEAT Arona small SUV is more suited to life in built-up areas than on the open road, most of the examples listed for sale will have one of the car’s 1.0-litre or 1.5-litre petrol engines under the bonnet.

The 1.0-litre models are good picks, since they offer a decent blend of performance and fuel economy, although if you need more power, the brawnier 1.5-litre models are still worth considering.

A 1.6-litre diesel was also offered on the SEAT Arona, although you likely won’t find too many of these listed for sale as it was dropped ahead of a mid-life refresh in 2021.

While we don’t think it’s as good a match for the car’s slightly sporty character as the petrols, the diesel does make sense if you do lots of motorway journeys and are looking at downsizing from a family-sized hatchback or SUV.

Read our full SEAT Arona review

What used SEAT Arona trim levels are available?

Read on for our overview of the SEAT Arona SE, SE Technology, FR, FR Sport, Xcellence / Xperience and Xcellence Lux / Xperience Lux specifications.

We reckon the SEAT Arona SE Technology represents a good blend of equipment and affordability, although the SEAT Arona FR models are worth considering if you like a sportier drive.

SEAT Arona SE

SEAT Arona SE entry-level versions are well-equipped as standard, while a facelift in 2021 brought some enhancements to the technology package. 

  • Air-conditioning
  • Front and rear electric windows
  • Bluetooth
  • Five-inch touchscreen
  • Cruise control
  • Automatic headlights
  • Two-tone roof
  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • 8.2-inch touchscreen (from 2021 on)
  • Apple CarPlay (from 2021 on)
  • Android Auto (from 2021 on)

SEAT Arona SE Technology

As its name suggests, SEAT Arona SE Technology cars are very similar to the entry-level SEAT Arona SE models, but boasted a more advanced kit list. Among the key additions:

  • Eight-inch touchscreen with built-in sat-nav
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Wireless recharging tray for smartphones
  • Nine-inch touchscreen (from 2021 on)

SEAT Arona FR

SEAT Arona FR versions boast a subtly sportier look and feel over the rest of the range, with a stiffer suspension set-up for improved handling and different driving modes that adjust the steering weight and throttle response. Other features on SEAT Arona models include:

  • Twin exhausts
  • Flat-bottomed steering wheel
  • More supportive front seats
  • Climate control
  • Heated wing mirrors
  • LED headlights
  • Automatic windscreen wipers

SEAT Arona FR Sport

The SEAT Arona FR Sport builds upon the SEAT Arona FR’s spec sheet with a number of desirable extras, as listed below. It delivers even sharper handling.

  • Adaptive suspension
  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • 10.3-inch digital instrument display (from 2018 on)
  • Heated seats (from 2021 on)

SEAT Arona Xcellence / Xperience

When new, the most expensive versions were the SEAT Arona Xcellence models (which were renamed SEAT Arona Xperience as part of the 2021 facelift). They retain some of the features of the SEAT Arona FR models, but ditch some of the sportier features. They also have more advanced tech.

  • Keyless entry
  • Blind spot monitoring
  • Adaptive cruise control (from 2021 on)
  • Digital instrument display (from 2021 on)

SEAT Arona Xcellence Lux / Xperience Lux

If the SEAT Arona Xcellence trim isn’t plush enough for you, there’s the even more upmarket, range-topping SEAT Arona Xcellence Lux version, which features more equipment. In 2021, this trim was rebranded as the SEAT Arona Xperience Lux, although it didn’t introduce any major new features.

  • Front parking sensors
  • Reversing camera
  • Digital instrument display
  • Driver assistance when parallel parking

Is a SEAT Arona a good buy?

As a small SUV, the SEAT Arona is in many ways the higher-riding equivalent of the SEAT Ibiza. Both models offer smart styling, nippy handling and good equipment levels, with the SEAT Arona also having the appeal of a raised driving position, a slightly larger boot and more headroom.

The SEAT Arona is in its element when being driven around towns and cities. That higher driving position helps give you a good view out of the road ahead, and it’s easy to thread the car down narrow streets and into tight parking spots.

It faces a wealth of rivals, though, and if you need a roomier or more versatile used small SUV, you may be better off looking for a Citroen C3 Aircross or its French counterpart the Renault Captur.

Overall, good build quality, smart styling and its rock-solid Volkswagen Group pedigree mean the SEAT Arona is an attractive buy.