Compare performance (150 HP vs 390 HP), boot space and price (20,700 £ vs 35,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – SEAT Arona or CUPRA Formentor?
Navigating the crowded landscape of compact SUVs can be challenging, yet two models consistently stand out: the CUPRA Formentor and the SEAT Arona. Both vehicles offer their own unique blend of style, performance, and practicality. In this article, we pit these two impressive SUVs against each other to help you decide which one suits your needs best.
The CUPRA Formentor makes an immediate impression with its sporty, aggressive stance. It measures 4451 mm in length, 1839 mm in width, and varies slightly in height between 1511 mm to 1537 mm, depending on the configuration. In contrast, the SEAT Arona maintains a more understated design with urban-friendly dimensions, coming in at 4153 mm in length and 1780 mm in width, while sharing a similar height of 1537 mm.
Versatility shines in the CUPRA Formentor's engine offerings, ranging from petrol and plug-in hybrid options to petrol MHEV and diesel engines. Power outputs stretch from 150 HP to a formidable 333 HP, facilitated by either a manual gearbox or a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Notably, the Formentor also offers an electric range of up to 125 km with a 19.7 kWh battery, which caters to eco-conscious drivers.
Conversely, the SEAT Arona keeps it straightforward with petrol engines exclusively. Its power varies from 95 HP to 150 HP. The Arona ensures efficient and reliable performance with consumption ranging between 5.4 to 5.6 liters per 100 km, paired with a front-wheel-drive system and transmission choices of manual or dual-clutch automatic.
Acceleration enthusiasts will appreciate the Formentor's impressive timing of 4.8 seconds to 100 km/h in its high-performance guise, while still offering a practical 6.5 seconds in its more moderate configurations. Its top speed peaks at 250 km/h, ideal for adrenaline seekers. In terms of torque, it offers up to 420 Nm.
The SEAT Arona, built for urban maneuverability, offers a modest 8.4 seconds to 100 km/h, reaching maximum speeds of up to 210 km/h. While its torque is lower, peaking at 250 Nm, it balances this with exceptional city driving characteristics.
Both SUVs accommodate five passengers comfortably. The CUPRA Formentor stands out with a boot capacity of up to 450 liters, ensuring ample space for weekend getaways. Meanwhile, the SEAT Arona offers practicality with a slightly smaller but efficient 400-liter trunk, catering well to daily needs.
The choice between the CUPRA Formentor and SEAT Arona ultimately hinges on what you value most in a vehicle. The Formentor attracts with its high-performance capability and stylish, tech-forward features, making it ideal for those who seek a dynamic driving experience. On the other hand, the Arona is a commendable city SUV, offering efficiency and practicality at a competitive price point.
Deciding between these two comes down to personal preference: whether you lean toward performance and versatility or favor practicality and urban agility.
Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.
SEAT Arona is clearly cheaper – starting at 20,700 £ , while the CUPRA Formentor costs 35,200 £ . That’s a price difference of around 14,541 £.
Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the CUPRA Formentor uses 1.4 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the SEAT Arona with 5.3 L/100km. The difference is about 3.9 L/100km.
Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.
When it comes to engine power, the CUPRA Formentor offers significantly more power – delivering 390 HP compared to 150 HP. That’s roughly 240 HP more horsepower.
When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the CUPRA Formentor is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.2 s, while the SEAT Arona takes 8.3 s. That’s about 4.1 s quicker.
There’s also a difference in torque: the CUPRA Formentor delivers significantly more torque with 480 Nm compared to 250 Nm. That’s about 230 Nm more.
Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.
Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.
In terms of curb weight, SEAT Arona is clearly lighter – 1,188 kg compared to 1,434 kg. The difference is around 246 kg.
Looking at boot space, the CUPRA Formentor offers somewhat more boot space – 450 L compared to 400 L. That’s a difference of about 50 L.
When it comes to payload, the CUPRA Formentor carries barely more – 526 kg compared to 522 kg. That’s a difference of about 4 kg.
The CUPRA Formentor is far ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.
The SEAT Arona is a cheeky urban crossover that mixes sharp styling with sensible practicality, making it an appealing choice for buyers who want personality without fuss. It’s zippy in traffic, comfortable enough for daily driving, and brings enough character to make routine journeys feel a little more fun.
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With coupe-like lines and a muscular stance the Cupra Formentor blends sporty drama with everyday sense, so it looks like it’s in motion even at a standstill. Inside and out it’s tuned for drivers who want engaging handling and a grown-up cabin — practical enough for daily life, playful enough to make the commute feel like a short track session.
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Costs and Consumption |
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Price
20,700 - 30,500 £
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Price
35,200 - 62,500 £
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Consumption L/100km
5.3 - 5.8 L/100km
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Consumption L/100km
1.4 - 10.1 L/100km
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Consumption kWh/100km
-
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Consumption kWh/100km
-
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Electric Range
-
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Electric Range
117 - 126 km
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Battery Capacity
-
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Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
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co2
120 - 132 g/km
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co2
32 - 229 g/km
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Fuel tank capacity
-
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Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L
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Dimensions and Body |
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|---|---|
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Body Type
SUV
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Body Type
SUV
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Seats
5
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Seats
5
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Doors
-
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Doors
5
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Curb weight
1,188 - 1,268 kg
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Curb weight
1,434 - 1,742 kg
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Trunk capacity
400 L
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Trunk capacity
345 - 450 L
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Length
-
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Length
4,451 mm
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Width
1,780 mm
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Width
1,839 - 1,852 mm
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Height
-
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Height
1,511 - 1,537 mm
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Max trunk capacity
-
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Max trunk capacity
1,415 - 1,505 L
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Payload
502 - 522 kg
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Payload
439 - 526 kg
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Engine and Performance |
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Engine Type
Petrol
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Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
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Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
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Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
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Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
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Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
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Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
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Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
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Power HP
95 - 150 HP
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Power HP
150 - 390 HP
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.3 - 11.1 s
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.2 - 9 s
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Max Speed
-
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Max Speed
210 - 250 km/h
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Torque
175 - 250 Nm
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Torque
250 - 480 Nm
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Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
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Number of Cylinders
4 - 5
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Power kW
70 - 110 kW
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Power kW
110 - 287 kW
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Engine capacity
999 - 1,498 cm3
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Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,480 cm3
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General |
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|---|---|
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Model Year
2,025
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Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
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CO2 Efficiency Class
D
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CO2 Efficiency Class
G, E, D, F, B
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Brand
SEAT
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Brand
CUPRA
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Deutschland
France
Nederland
Great Britain
Sverige
Danmark
Suomi
Italia
Polska
España