SEAT’s new Arona is now available to order in the UK, with diesels priced from £18,500. The fourth new model from the Barcelona-based brand in just 18 months is its first foray into the crucial compact crossover class.

The new Arona, named after a town on Tenerife, is the baby brother to the Ateca SUV. It is also the first compact crossover in the Volkswagen Group to use the state-of-the-art vehicle platform, MQB A0, the same as new Ibiza.

SEAT says one of the key aspects to the launch of the new Arona is a bold approach to making the car buying process as easy as possible. In short, to find their ideal model, customers simply choose from three elements: trim level, engine and colour. There are no myriad options or packs to weigh up. To accommodate this thinking, the New Arona is being offered in six trims.

The grades dovetail with other SEAT models, with SE, FR and XCELLENCE, but, with each level expanded into additional versions that add in more equipment: SE Technology, FR Sport and XCELLENCE Lux. And for those who want to reap the rewards of being some of the first Arona owners, the SE and XCELLENCE First Edition models come even better equipped for a limited period.

The SE grade is “step one” in the new Arona range, but includes metallic paint as standard, usually a £500-plus extra with its competition.

The exterior features include 17-inch alloy wheels, bi-colour roof, black roof rails, chrome front grille, power-adjustable door mirrors, LED daytime running lights and tail lights, front cornering fog lights and automatic headlights. Inside, there’s air conditioning, height-adjustable front seats, split-folding rear seat, handy double boot floor, electric windows front and rear, chrome detailing and leather trim for the gear knob and handbrake. SEAT’s Media System Colour provides a five-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio with FM/AM/DAB radio, Bluetooth and aux-in/USB connections.

SEAT’s safety and driver assistance features include Front Assist, Multi-Collision Braking, Hill Hold Control and Tiredness Recognition System. That’s all in addition to cruise control, a full complement of front-side-curtain airbags, active front head restraints and ISOFIX child seat mounts.

The SE Technology models upgrade with the Connectivity Pack Plus. This provides a larger, eight-inch colour touchscreen and proximity sensor and a navigation package that provides 3D map display and voice control. SEAT Full Link provides seamless connection with compatible smartphones using MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. There’s also a wireless phone charger, an additional USB port, two SD card slots and rear parking sensors.

The SE Technology First Edition – exclusively with the 1.0 TSI petrol engine – goes further. Extra kit includes a Storage Pack (front-centre arm rest, drawer beneath driver’s seat and load anchorage points in the boot), Winter Pack (heated front seats and heated washer nozzles), rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirrors, coming/leaving home headlight functions, heated/folding door mirrors, dual-zone climate control, KESSY keyless entry and go and adaptive cruise control.

Moving up from SE Technology to FR grade, the Arona gains features such as the 17-inch Dynamic alloys, full LED headlights, chrome roof rails, dark-tinted rear windows, twin tailpipes and (heated/folding) door mirrors with casings that match the contrast roof colour. Inside, the FR is equipped with sports front seats and a flat-bottom steering wheel, multi-colour ambient lighting and FR-exclusive trim details also set the theme. SEAT Drive Profile lets the driver adjust vehicle performance and handling through four different modes (Normal/Sport/Eco/Individual) and the suspension is sports-tuned for sharper handling. Rear disc brakes are added, together with an alarm, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, coming/leaving home headlight functions and dual-zone climate control.

The FR Sport models gain larger, 18-inch Performance alloy wheels, Dynamic Chassis Control and black Alcantara upholstery.

Nearing the pinnacle of the Arona line-up, XCELLENCE trim majors on convenience and sophistication, matching the FR specification minus the dedicated sports features. Additional elements include the Storage Pack, KESSY keyless-entry-and-go, front seatback storage pockets, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The Arona XCELLENCE Lux has 18-inch Performance alloys, black Alcantara upholstery, the SEAT Drive Profile, front parking sensors, a rear-view camera and Park Assist. The XCELLENCE First Edition packs a powerful Beats Sound System, the Winter Pack and all you need for safe and simple parking manoeuvres – front sensor, rear-view camera and Park Assist.

At launch, the new Arona will be available with a choice of five powertrains, all featuring direct injection, turbocharging and an automatic stop-start function.

There are three petrol units, each with an aluminium block, and a 1.6 TDI engine, with 94 or 113 bhp – the former optionally available with DSG.

The new Arona offers a bright spectrum of colours (including Desire Red and Mystery Blue) and the chance for customers to make their car stand out with up to 30 different combinations, matching or contrasting the finish for the lower body and roof and pillars. Three roof colour choices are available – black, grey and orange.

On-the-road prices for the new Arona diesels start at £18,500 for the SE 1.6 TDI with 94bhp. Orders can be placed now, ahead of UK showroom launch on 17 November 2017.