Skip advert
Advertisement

SEAT Arona SUV - Reliability & safety

The SEAT Arona comes packed with driver assistance aids and the brand's satisfaction rating impresses

Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.2 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Reliability & safety Rating

4.0 out of 5

​​With its use of Volkswagen parts and platforms, you’d think that SEAT would perform well in our Driver Power new car survey. Although you shouldn’t have too many concerns, the results are more mixed than you might imagine.

Safety equipment is generous on all models, and the Arona performed very well when subjected to independent crash-testing.

SEAT Arona reliability

The Arona is based on some of the newest technology Volkswagen Group has in its arsenal, but most of its major components have been tried and tested by other models in recent years. SEAT has put in some thoroughly impressive showings in our annual Driver Power owner satisfaction survey recently, too. That said, the Arona is beginning to slip down the rankings as the car gets older, only managing to achieve 59th place on a list of 75 cars in 2023. The brand itself slipped into the bottom ten in the manufacturer survey, finishing 23rd out of 32.

Advertisement - Article continues below

SEAT owners praise their cars for the way they drive, with handling, ride and acceleration held in high regard. The Arona's fuel efficiency and running costs also scored well, but reliability and build quality were rated below average.

Safety

The SEAT Arona held onto its five-star Euro NCAP rating after the facelifted model was put through the latest crash testing, despite it being stricter than ever before. It lost its 95% adult protection score, dropping to 83% to match child safety, however, this was still enough to retain its overall high rating.

All models have autonomous emergency braking (SEAT calls this Front Assist) and driver tiredness recognition, while you can specify rear cross-traffic alerts and blind-spot monitoring. Hill-hold control makes pulling away easy on inclines, while curtain airbags supplement the usual front and side airbags.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.0 TSI S 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £19,995

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.0 TSI 115 FR 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £26,395

Fastest

  • Name
    1.5 TSI 150 FR 5dr DSG
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £27,785

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Top 10 best used small SUVs to buy
Best used small SUVs
Best cars
12 Jul 2024

Top 10 best used small SUVs to buy

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
20 Dec 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Ford Capri review – a comfortable, well-built EV
Ford Capri UK front quarter cruising
In-depth reviews
20 Dec 2024

Ford Capri review – a comfortable, well-built EV

New Honda Prelude coming in 2026 with hybrid tech and simulated gear shifts
Honda Prelude front quarter
News
17 Dec 2024

New Honda Prelude coming in 2026 with hybrid tech and simulated gear shifts

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024