Skoda Kamiq vs SEAT Arona: which little SUV is best?

Platform-sharing is when two cars that come from different brands and look different to one another are incredibly closely-related under the skin. Two great examples are the Skoda Kamiq and the SEAT Arona.

These compact SUVs share the same engines, gearboxes, and pretty much all the oily bits because they’re all part of the Volkswagen group – you’ll find the same underpinnings beneath the Volkswagen T-Cross and Taigo, not to mention the hatchback equivalents in the Skoda Scala and Fabia, Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Audi A1.

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So with basically identical underpinnings, how different are the Skoda Kamiq and SEAT Arona from one another? Well, surprisingly there’s quite a lot to separate these cars – from the practicality, to the price, to what they’re like to drive. Let’s compare them to find out exactly which is best for you.

Skoda Kamiq vs SEAT Arona: prices

These two cars are pretty close to each other in price. With Carwow savings, the Skoda Kamiq starts at just over £20,800 for an SE Edition model, while the SEAT Arona just pips it at a little over £19,400 for the base-spec SE.

That doesn’t quite tell the whole story, though, because the Skoda is notably better-equipped at that price point – offering larger screens, built-in sat-nav, dual-zone climate control, and a rear-view camera. More comparable is the Arona’s SE Technology model, which with Carwow savings comes in from just under £20,400 – a fairer comparison.

In both cases you can step up to a sporty edition at the top end – Monte Carlo for the Kamiq and FR Sport for the Arona – and there’s just a few hundred quid separating the two there, as well. Both ranges top out at less than £27,000, making them very affordable.

Skoda Kamiq vs SEAT Arona: engines and performance

The Kamiq and Arona use the same range of engines – all petrol, with no option for hybrid, plug-in or electric.

In both cases, you start out with a rather asthmatic 95hp 1.0-litre with a five-speed manual gearbox. This is fine for nipping around town in, but it’s a bit slow on the motorway and not having a six-speed gearbox means it’s not the best for a long trip.

So for both cars it’s best to step up to the 115hp 1.0-litre instead. This is notably quicker, comes with a rather nice six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed automatic, and is barely any less efficient than the less powerful engine. It’s the sweet spot in the range.

If you fancy something with a bit more grunt, both cars offer a 1.5-litre engine with 150hp. It doesn’t turn either of these cars into a hot hatchback, but it’s a welcome turn of extra pace when you’re trying to merge on a slip road or overtake on a country lane. It’s here where the first difference comes, too, because the Kamiq offers this engine with a manual gearbox or an automatic – the Arona is automatic only.

Regardless of what engine you choose, performance and economy between the two cars is virtually identical.

However, when you get out onto the road it’s a bit of a different story. Skoda and SEAT have tuned these cars differently in terms of suspension, and as a result they have different characters. The Kamiq is softer, so it deals better with potholes, speed bumps and poor urban roads. It’s a very comfortable little car.

The Arona feels stiffer, so it thuds over bumps more – but on the flip side, it feels a bit less wobbly and wayward on a country lane, even verging on fun. The Arona is definitely geared more towards drivers who like to chuck their cars about, while the Kamiq is better-suited to long-distance driving or relaxed town cruising.

Skoda Kamiq vs SEAT Arona: interior and practicality

Inside, the two cars are again very similar. There are minor differences in the dashboard design – the screens are slightly different sizes and the air vents are different shapes, that sort of thing. But generally, you’ll find both cars feel solid and well-built, and there’s plenty of physical switchgear to make interacting with them super-easy.

The bigger differences are to be found in the rear. The Kamiq is a longer car – about 77mm longer, with a bigger wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) which Skoda has put to good use by giving the Kamiq serious amounts of rear legroom.

It’s notably more spacious in the rear of the Kamiq, and four six-foot adults can be accommodated without much negotiation at all. The Arona is still pretty roomy, but it’s much tighter than the Kamiq and the two cars almost feel like they belong to a different class.

The two cars draw on boot space initially – both manufacturers quote 400 litres with the seats up – but fold them down and the Skoda’s larger dimensions mean you have more room for big items, so it’s better suited to an IKEA trip or tip run.

Final verdict: which of these similar SUVs should you buy?

It depends what you prioritise. Purchase price, equipment levels, and running costs for these two cars are virtually identical, so what it comes down to is practicality and driving character.

The Kamiq is a more comfortable and spacious car. It’s soft and cushioned on the motorway, has loads of rear legroom and is generally super-practical all round. Skoda’s loaded it with useful touches such as an umbrella in the door and a clip on the windscreen for parking tickets. But it’s not exactly fun – it’s dull to drive on a country road and the styling is much more garden centre than nightclub.

The Arona feels like a more stylish, youthful car, with funky two-tone paintwork and a neat design. It’s also much more fun to drive, whether you’re chucking it around town or enjoying a twisty country road – but that means it’s less relaxing on the motorway.

Because a small SUV is inherently a sensible purchase, we’re inclined to give the win to the Kamiq on this one – but the SEAT Arona is still a great little car.

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