I wanted to write something on the forum regarding the ownership experience after covering the first 1,000 miles.
We have an Xcellence Lux 1.0 DSG in red with black roof. This is our second car and the criteria for buying it were quite extensive. The boxes it had to tick were:
Small overall dimensions. It had to be no larger than a Fiesta / Ibiza
Ability to accommodate four adults comfortably
Ability to take a baby seat in the back and an adult sitting in the front seat directly in front of the baby seat
Small but reasonably powerful and efficient engine
Automatic gearbox
Good drive for both me and my wife, whose car it is.
We had to wait the usual 5 months to get it and had to undergo the anxiety of a potential spec change and then the seatbelt and phone charger recalls. When we did get it, it was definitely worth the wait. This is a great little car. It ticks all the boxes above and looks pretty nice at the same time.
We have had a mixture of driving in the first 1,000 miles and the Arona has performed brilliantly in every situation. On the motorway it is quiet and refined. The engine is powerful enough to be able to cruise and then offers enough performance to overtake (even at higher speeds). On twisty country roads, the car feels agile and inspires confidence. In town, it is very manoeuvrable and dead easy to park. All this and the ride is comfortable too.
The car is a 'head turner' which I have found to be very flattering. Several people have already asked me what the car is and have commented that they had not seen one before and that it had a nice shape to it. One person was very excited to spot one on the road as he had ordered one himself and had been waiting a long time to get delivery. "Yes" I thought, "we've all been there and got the T-shirt".
We also enjoy the technology included in the car. It is smack bang up to date and a match for most cars at any price level. There is a lot to it and we have needed the help of 'technical support' in the shape of our 29 year old son, in order to get to grips with it all.
In order to provide a balanced review, there are one or two annoying little things which I have to mention:
The steering wheel is far too thin. Not good considering the FR has a chunkier wheel as standard.
There is no light in the back of the cabin.
A coat hook or two would also be good to have.
The inability to specify options on the car such as the upgraded stereo and heated seats, is annoying.
In all the above cases, we are willing to forgive as there are so many positives to this car.
Finally, I can completely understand people's frustration at the unduly long waiting times for delivery and the lack of constructive information from both the dealer network and Seat UK. This forum has been the most valuable source of information for us whilst we were waiting for ours. SEAT marketed a great little car at the start of the year and then messed it all up by not being able to fulfil the orders quickly enough.
My wife and I think this car is probably the best little crossover SUV currently available (we've tried most of the major contenders) at this price point. It has fulfilled all our criteria and we are loving this little car! For all of you out there waiting for yours, have patience, it will worth it in the end.
We have an Xcellence Lux 1.0 DSG in red with black roof. This is our second car and the criteria for buying it were quite extensive. The boxes it had to tick were:
Small overall dimensions. It had to be no larger than a Fiesta / Ibiza
Ability to accommodate four adults comfortably
Ability to take a baby seat in the back and an adult sitting in the front seat directly in front of the baby seat
Small but reasonably powerful and efficient engine
Automatic gearbox
Good drive for both me and my wife, whose car it is.
We had to wait the usual 5 months to get it and had to undergo the anxiety of a potential spec change and then the seatbelt and phone charger recalls. When we did get it, it was definitely worth the wait. This is a great little car. It ticks all the boxes above and looks pretty nice at the same time.
We have had a mixture of driving in the first 1,000 miles and the Arona has performed brilliantly in every situation. On the motorway it is quiet and refined. The engine is powerful enough to be able to cruise and then offers enough performance to overtake (even at higher speeds). On twisty country roads, the car feels agile and inspires confidence. In town, it is very manoeuvrable and dead easy to park. All this and the ride is comfortable too.
The car is a 'head turner' which I have found to be very flattering. Several people have already asked me what the car is and have commented that they had not seen one before and that it had a nice shape to it. One person was very excited to spot one on the road as he had ordered one himself and had been waiting a long time to get delivery. "Yes" I thought, "we've all been there and got the T-shirt".
We also enjoy the technology included in the car. It is smack bang up to date and a match for most cars at any price level. There is a lot to it and we have needed the help of 'technical support' in the shape of our 29 year old son, in order to get to grips with it all.
In order to provide a balanced review, there are one or two annoying little things which I have to mention:
The steering wheel is far too thin. Not good considering the FR has a chunkier wheel as standard.
There is no light in the back of the cabin.
A coat hook or two would also be good to have.
The inability to specify options on the car such as the upgraded stereo and heated seats, is annoying.
In all the above cases, we are willing to forgive as there are so many positives to this car.
Finally, I can completely understand people's frustration at the unduly long waiting times for delivery and the lack of constructive information from both the dealer network and Seat UK. This forum has been the most valuable source of information for us whilst we were waiting for ours. SEAT marketed a great little car at the start of the year and then messed it all up by not being able to fulfil the orders quickly enough.
My wife and I think this car is probably the best little crossover SUV currently available (we've tried most of the major contenders) at this price point. It has fulfilled all our criteria and we are loving this little car! For all of you out there waiting for yours, have patience, it will worth it in the end.
