Automotive journalist Jeff Zurschmeide bought a 2025 SEAT Arona for life in Spain. His owner review describes a small crossover with a tiny turbo engine, front-wheel drive and dimensions that make sense on narrow streets.
This Staff adaptation is based on Jeff Zurschmeide’s original PUTT report, published March 3, 2026. The ownership experience and purchase details are Jeff’s. Figures and impressions refer to his original report; measurement comparisons, offline navigation and historical pricing are clarified here.
A small crossover that fits Spanish streets
The Arona seats five adults, if you put three across tightly in the snug back seat. With the seats in use, cargo room is modest. The figures quoted in Jeff’s original report were 400 liters behind the rear seats and 1,280 liters with them folded—about 14 and 45 cubic feet by simple conversion. European and U.S. measurement methods differ, so those conversions are not a direct comparison with an American cargo rating.
The small footprint is a major part of the appeal for Jeff. He found the Arona well suited to narrow Spanish streets while still large enough for everyday hauling. Its usefulness in that setting mattered more than a prestigious badge or a spectacular specification sheet.
A 1.0-liter three-cylinder that feels bigger than it sounds
Power comes from a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Base trim Aronas make 95 PS, or about 94 horsepower, but Jeff’s Arona is a higher trim, so they wring 115 PS or 113 horsepower out of the engine, with 200 newton-meters or 148 lb-ft of torque.
The seven-speed twin-clutch automatic and front-wheel drive made the Arona feel appropriately peppy on Spanish roads in Jeff’s experience. He reported easy motorway cruising at 120 km/h, about 75 mph, and fuel economy close to 40 mpg. That was an owner observation, not a U.S. EPA rating or a controlled comparison.
Jeff also found the passing response brisk enough for his driving. His report described a solid, smooth ride, responsive steering and reasonable quietness even on rough roads. He did not mistake the Arona for a sports car, but liked how neatly and predictably it handled Spanish roundabouts.
Useful cabin features, with economy-car materials
Jeff’s higher-trim Arona carried a useful set of safety and convenience equipment, including automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a reversing camera and automatic emergency braking. It also has wireless phone charging, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Offline navigation depends on the phone app and downloaded maps; phone projection by itself does not guarantee every navigation feature without cellular service.
The cabin’s hard plastics reminded Jeff that SEAT is an economy brand. He nevertheless found the seats comfortable, describing Alcantara centers and vinyl bolsters in his car rather than heated leather upholstery.
He considered the basic sound system and touchscreen adequate for his needs. The useful equipment and comfortable seats helped make the cabin work as a practical daily car, despite the modest materials.
What Jeff paid and his ownership verdict
At the time of his March 2026 report, Jeff quoted Spanish new-Arona prices from €22,800 to about €28,000. He paid €22,900 for his top-trim 2025 example with 9,600 kilometers—about 6,000 miles—showing, and reported a three-year warranty at purchase. Those are historical Spanish prices and his transaction, not current U.S. pricing or a promise of the same deal today.
For his region and driving needs, Jeff considered the Arona a good all-around utility vehicle. Fuel economy and maneuverability were priorities, and front-wheel drive suited his use. That personal choice does not make front-wheel drive equivalent to all-wheel drive in every traction situation.
Would he buy it again? At the time of the original report, his answer was an enthusiastic yes. The Arona fit the roads, parking spaces and daily errands that he bought it to handle.
