SEAT
Arona
The Arona rides on the same basic mechanical package as the Volkswagen T-Cross and the recipe is the same – it takes the engine and chassis from a small hatchback (the Ibiza in this case) and stretches it upwards and outwards to turn it into a compact SUV. It’s a successful transformation as the Arona retains the affordable running costs and zippy handling of the Ibiza, but with more space in the interior and boot.
the Arona retains the affordable running costs and zippy handling of the Ibiza, but with more space
Ateca
The Ateca feels as if it’s been around forever, and when you look at its original introduction date of 2016, you realise that — in car terms – that pretty much is forever. It’s still a fairly competitive car, however. The Ateca is roomy, well-priced, pleasant to drive and has the usual SEAT levels of quality and reliability. It’s a step behind, in technical terms, the new Volkswagen Tiguan and the Cupra Terramar, but for the money it’s hard to beat.
Ibiza
The Ibiza, like the Ateca, has been around for quite some time now – since 2017 – but a recent update has kept it feeling fresh, and the 40th anniversary special edition (yes, the Ibiza as a badge is now middle-aged) reminded us just how classy the Ibiza can be when it’s specced correctly. Essentially a cheaper VW Polo, the Ibiza looks smart, has good space inside and feels pleasantly lively to drive.
Leon
In spite of the newly updated Volkswagen Golf being on the scene, the Leon can still pull off the handy trick of out-Golfing the Golf, thanks to sharper pricing and – depending on your perspective – sharper styling too. It’s also noticeably nice to drive and has a very high-quality interior even if the infotainment system remains deeply frustrating. Go for the practical and handsome Sportstourer estate if you need more boot space.