We chose the SEAT Arona over a few rivals and have no regrets. It is economical, easy to park, and the kids love the colour options. The only minor letdown is that the cheaper trims feel a bit plasticky inside compared with the photos.
Economical and practical, lots of personalisation
Lower trims feel plasticky
As someone who wanted something that felt lively but stayed affordable, SEAT nailed it for me. The FR trim looks sharp and the ride is engaging on twisty roads. I just wish the standard infotainment had wireless smartphone connectivity rather than needing a cable.
Fun to drive, sharp styling, good price
Wired phone connection only
The Leon itself is a lovely Spanish-built car, sharing a lot of VW Group bits without the VW badge price. That said, my experience has been mixed because parts availability through the SEAT network was slow when I needed a sensor replaced. Torn between recommending the car and warning people about the after-sales side.
Great value VW Group engineering
Slow parts and service support
My DSG-equipped SEAT developed a serious transmission fault well before I expected any major issue, and it failed on the motorway twice. Getting it diagnosed under warranty turned into weeks of back and forth and a courtesy car was never offered. For a Volkswagen Group brand I expected far better reliability and support.
Major gearbox failure, poor warranty handling
Picked up my SEAT Ibiza six months ago and it has been a genuinely fun drive around town and on the motorway. The cabin feels more upmarket than the price suggests and the infotainment is responsive. Only gripe is the boot is a touch smaller than I expected for the weekly shop.
Sporty handling, premium-feeling interior
Modest boot space