SEAT Arona vs. Volkswagen Tiguan: which is better?
SUVs are a popular used car option, and in this guide, we compare the SEAT Arona and Volkswagen Tiguan to determine which of them is the best to buy
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Volkswagen and SEAT both have a selection of SUVs, and it can be hard to differentiate them, and deciding which is best for your family.
In this guide, we compare the similarities and differences between the smaller SEAT Arona crossover and the larger Volkswagen Tiguan, so you can make a more informed decision.
Does the SEAT Arona or Volkswagen Tiguan offer more style?
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Apart from being a smaller crossover, the SEAT Arona has a sportier and more youthful design, with softer curves and a prominent front-end design with a distinctive SEAT grille, flanked by sharp headlight clusters and LED daytime running lights.
It’s even more stylish in the case of models finished in a two-tone paint job – they generally come with a black roof, but sometimes you can find cars with a white roof, but both give the illusion of a floating roof separated from the body.
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a larger family SUV with a slightly busier design comprising more creases, folds and lines, but it still has a premium feel and plenty of glossy paint and chrome finishes. R-Line models have a more aggressive bodykit, and really look the part.
On newer and higher-spec models, there’s a lightbar that runs between the headlights, cutting through the grille.
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan or SEAT Arona better to drive?
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Being SUVs, both cars benefit from a high driving position, which means they have good outward visibility around town whereas lower cars may struggle at junctions and roundabouts.
The SEAT Arona is a smaller model, which means it feels more car-like to drive. It’s not as tall from the driving seat, and it leans less in corners, so if you’re upgrading from a hatchback, it shouldn’t feel too dissimilar.
On the flip side, the Volkswagen Tiguan’s larger size makes it more adept at tackling muddy tracks and soggy fields. Many of the more powerful versions also come with four-wheel drive for added grip.
Both have a few similar engine options because they’re both part of the Volkswagen Group. However, the Arona has a selection of smaller, more economical options, while the Tiguan has a few punchier options.
Both feature the 150hp 1.5-litre petrol engine, but you’d be better off getting a smaller engine in the Arona or a beefier engine in the Tiguan.
There are 95hp and 115hp variants of the 1.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines available in the Arona, and opting for the higher power output makes a big difference. The lesser-powered versions feel a lot lower, and they’re not an awful lot more economical in the real world.
For the Tiguan, you can get a series of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines with outputs ranging up to 240hp, but the models with around 190-200hp offer the best overall balance.
Both the Arona and the Tiguan also have an optional dual-clutch automatic gearbox – it’s smooth and takes the effort out of driving, but it’s still fun to use.
SEAT Arona vs. VW Tiguan: interior
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The Seat Arona has a modern and attractive interior, but because it’s a much smaller car, it’s not as laden with car tech and doesn’t use as many soft-touch materials.
You still get a large central touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and newer cars often come with a digital instrument cluster, too.
Standard kit varies a lot by model year, but it’s worth looking for newer or higher-spec cars for things like heated seats, all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera.
The Volkswagen Tiguan packs a lot more into the cabin, but it still achieves a simple and understated layout. The seats are plush, supportive and have plenty of adjustment, and all the key areas you’re likely to touch are finished in higher-quality materials.
It’s been around much longer, so it’s even more important to check any individual listing, but as a guide, even the entry-level versions of the previous-generation Tiguan (sold up until 2024) come with plenty of safety kit, smartphone connectivity, three-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control.
Volkswagen Tiguan vs. SEAT Arona: which has more space?
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Manufacturers typically base their SUVs on hatchback models, and the SEAT Arona is built on the same platform as the SEAT Ibiza – a small hatchback or supermini. The Volkswagen Tiguan is more closely related to the Volkswagen Passat – a mid-sized executive saloon.
The difference in size is evident inside. You can easily fit three abreast in the back of a Tiguan, whereas three adults might fit shoulder-to-shoulder in the Arona.
There’s also a considerable difference in boot size, with the Tiguan getting an impressive 615-litre boot one of the best boots in its class. The Arona has a smaller 400-litre space, but that’s still more than the 355 litres you’d get in an Ibiza.
Compare VW Tiguan and SEAT Arona: which is more reliable?
Although they’re different-sized SUVs and they cater to different buyers, these SEAT and Volkswagen models share more parts than you might think, because they’re both part of the Volkswagen Group, which includes other manufacturers like Audi and Skoda.
This means that the group can invest more money into quality products and share them out among the different manufacturers, which is surely a good thing for reliability. Customers tend to agree, and these cars together with the brands on the whole generally fare pretty well in satisfaction surveys.
SEAT Arona vs. Volkswagen Tiguan dimensions
Despite its rugged SUV looks, the SEAT Arona is a fairly small car. It’s 4,154mm long, 1,942mm wide and 1,537mm tall. It’s less than 10cm longer than the Ibiza, and much shorter than the bigger Leon hatchback.
The Volkswagen Tiguan is more than 33cm longer, nearly 16cm wider and around 12cm taller than the Arona, and you’ll be able to tell this from the driving seat. It measures 4,486mm long, 2,099mm wide and 1,654mm tall.
Used VW Tiguan vs. used SEAT Arona: which should you buy?
Whichever SUV you buy, you’ll be getting a lot of bang for your buck together with an extremely well-put-together, high-quality car, so it all comes down to how much size you need.
If you’re happy with something akin to a family hatchback but with a higher driving position, consider the SEAT Arona. However, if you want more passenger and luggage space plus a more premium interior, the Volkswagen Tiguan is worthy of your attention.
It’s worth noting that the SEAT Arona shares parts with the equally compact Volkswagen T-Cross, while the Volkswagen Tiguan shares its parts with the Skoda Kodiaq, so if you can’t find the right model for you, consider looking at their sister cars.