Big test of the Car: Finally, a small crossover that runs well

the Crossover is called the vehicle type. And we might as well get used to 'intersection', for according to the vehicle manufacturers will be the future of big hit.

the Explanation is just as simple as the recipe: the Consumer will not be locked by the narrow concepts such as sedan, station wagon or offroader. They want a little bit of everything, so that the car can cover several needs at once.

It is a good idea. Just take the new Seat of Arona, who has been named Car of the Year Denmark 2018.

Arona is actually a raised Ibiza. Thus, it has got miniklassens latest and most advanced technique in the christening present, for the Ibiza was the first car from the big VW group with the completely newly developed chassis, which is also available in the equally new VW Polo.

With the firm suspension and sharp steering can Arona run rings around most, in particular the other competitors in the small crossoverklasse: Citroën C3 Aircross, Kia Stonic, Opel Grandland X, Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur.

And it only gets wilder at home, for after the new year lands Hyundai Kona, Ford Ecosport, while a VW Polo crossover with the same technique as the Seat of Arona should come to the summer.

We test the Seat Arona, the 1.0 TSI Xcellence with 115 hp for 219.000€, that was the only testeksemplar, we could get fat, but the prices start well below 200.000 dkk., and, in general, is Arona lunt located in relation to competitors.

the price premium in relation to Ibiza is between 24.000-30.000 kr. everything after the motor, while the fuel consumption thanks to the increased height also will be a bit, well, higher...

the Picture cheats a bit, for the big screen costs 6.500 kr. extra, but should you sacrifice, for it works well and adds instrumentation a modern touch. Rock hard plastic pull down. Photo: Christian Schacht

the Competitors

the Prices are about on a level with the row of competitors, who counts the well-known Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur, but also the new Citroën C3 Aircross, Kia Stonic, Hyundai Kona and Opel Crossland-X, while the Ford Ecosport comes just after the new year, and a VW Polo crossover for the summer next year.

the Gear change is a dream of precision, and the brakes easy to dispense. Only a bit of wind noise annoys, probably enhanced by it 10 cm higher bodywork.

as regards the driving experience, Ibiza no significant minuses when compared with her athletic younger brother. It behaves mature and balanced with springs, which are probably fixed, but absorbs bumps without a murmur, a light and precise steering, and the whole car is really easy to run in.

The 115 hp clothes, the car and the engine pulls easily from low revs. Six gears are standard in the engine variant, unlike the variant with 95 hp, which will have to make do with five of them.

The extra gear fits well car Arona, but otherwise you will easily be able to settle for the version with 95 hp.

There are several advantages to raise the roof. Better space in the cabin, good view from the driver's seat, and - a little surprisingly - more respect from other road users.

Even much larger cars drag humbly in the indersporet, when the Seats a little more rugged front with raised headlights loom in the rear-view mirror.

Arona is also the eight centimeters longer than the Ibiza. It comes the boot for good. With a capacity of 400 liters yawns it over 45 litres more than the younger brother.

In the back seat, there is no great change to the track compared to Ibiza, the distance between the axles is also the same, in turn, means the height, to at least feel that there is more space in the cabin.

the Trunk yawns over 45 litres more than in the lower Seat Ibiza, and it helps to enhance the usability of a Arona. Photo: Christian Schacht

the Difference compared to Ibiza

Seat Arona has the same chassis and engine program as the lower Ibiza.The interior is virtually identical.Arona offers a more orderly access and use of space than the Ibiza, which makes it seem a half a class larger.It is with his 4,14 metres, eight centimetres longer than the Ibiza.The big difference, however, is in a more vertical windshield and the height, where the new crossover is raised about 10 cm, while the seat cushion is five cm higher. The maneuvers provides more head and rear, as well as better access and visibility and a larger trunk, which is of 400 liters.The price premium in relation to Ibiza is between 24.000-30.000 kr.

the Dealers running the new spaniard forward to January, and customers can be lured into a test drive, they will soon discover that the car is running exceptionally relaxed.

On the road with the amazing comfort and not significantly worse in the turns than the lower Ibiza. But you will feel the difference if you are chasing the ideallinjer on the way to work - here it is evident, that Arona is higher and a little heavier to dance with.

Under all circumstances runs significantly better than the competition, and all Aronaer have an advanced emergency brake, which also detects and brakes for pedestrians. The car is just tested for five out of five stars in the latest crash tests from Euro NCAP.

behind the wheel, you feel at home. The seats are approved, and instrumentation, which is largely identical to the one we know from Ibiza, is easy and logical to operate.

Plastickvaliteten is not changed, so it is well hard, and the armrest at the side window is knaldhårdt to rest the arm on. And before you fall in love you in the big infotainmentskærm of eight inches, which is easy to operate and provides a modern touch to the cabin, so the price is 6.500 kr. extra in all models.

the View from the high seating position is good, as long as you look forward, while the sleek design has the same big disadvantage as Ibiza: the View is miserable, not at least obliquely backwards, especially because the rear side window slopes up.

Prices are generally reasonable: the Seat works with four trim levels, the basic Reference of Style for the two variants Xcellence and FR, which costs the same. Xcellence is for those customers who want a little extra comfort, while the FR is for them, that goes after the sporty design and the same driveability.

Reference has the air-conditioned, with onboard, while most other things cost extra, and you must f. ex. even roll the windows up and down with a handle.

the Vast majority will be better off by choosing the Style, it has power windows, cruise control, leather steering wheel, 16 inch alloy wheels and heating in the front seats.

Also the design works Seat Arona successful, but those interested should just be aware that testbilen is a Xcellence, which is a part of the enhancements. Photo: Christian Schacht

Basismotoren is a trecylindret petrol engine with the turbo and the turbo engine with 95 hp (1,0 TSI), which is provided in connection with the basic version, called the Reference, Style and Xcellence. Arona, the 1.0 TSI Reference costs 169.900 kr., Arona, the 1.0 TSI Style is 186.900 kr., while Arona 1,0 TSI Xcellence lands on 206.900 kr.

There is 20 hp more to download in Arona, the 1.0 TSI with 115 hp, but it is not available in connection with the basisudstyret, so here the price is 199.900 kr. as the Style and 219.900 kr., if you want to have either Xcellence or FR. Automatic transmission are becoming more and more popular, and with the Seat is the price premium of 15,000 kr. for the DSG gearbox.

For those who want more, there is even a completely newly developed gasoline engine, namely a 1.5 TSI Evo with around 150 hp, which are only provided as FR, and at a price of 239.900 kr.

Although diesel does not fill especially much in this segment, has Seat a single model on the program, and it is the 1.6 TDI with 95 hp. Here is that choice between Style and Xcellence-trim levels are, which costs respectively 209.900 kr. and 229.900 kr.

A bid on a sensible Seat Arona is with a 95 hp petrol engine, Style equipment and so the option of large colour screen. Hereby lands the car on the good 197.000 kr. inclusive of metallic paint to dkk 4,000.

Seat Arona is not the absolute cheapest of the small crossovere, but clearly the best and a deserving Car 2018.

Specifications

219.900 kr. plus the lev.

169.900 kr.

20.4 km/ l, EUsnit

113 g

Trecylindret petrol engine with turbo

115 Nm: 200/ 2.000 r/ min.

182 km/ h.

9,8 sec.