Climate crisis? Economic crisis? Probably the most urgent questions of recent times, the Seat Arona TGI sovereign counter. That's why it was hard to say goodbye to our endurance testers.
Even the latest generation of natural gas cars does not change the disadvantages of this type of drive: Like before 20 years, a new Seat Arona TGI also runs a bit slower in gas operation and with a rougher engine run. In addition, the unabated coarse mesh filling station network as well as low ranges can spoil everyday life. Nevertheless, at the end of a long-term test lasting several months over almost 10.000 kilometers, it was hard to say goodbye to the sparse Spaniard, for despite his drive-related disadvantages, he offers his user the potential to be happy.
Especially those who, as in our case, go on a longer commuter tour every weekend, will quickly become friends with the Arona. You even experience moments of happiness with it, especially if the fuel prices are high. So you can be happy more often than natural gas consumer of rising gasoline and diesel prices remain unmolested. Regardless, pleasure also comes along, even if natural gas is expensive. In that case you usually get H-gas, which has a higher energy density and thus allows more range. Compared to the L-gas, the surcharge is around 20 percent, similarly increases the range. In the case of the Arona TGI, if an L-gas tank is practically enough for 250 to 280 kilometers, H-Gas will even have 350 kilometers in it. As usual, the range can vary significantly depending on the driving style. The stated values are primarily based on motorway tours at top speed. Then you will arrive at 100 kilometers with about four to five Euros quite reliably. Even with the most fuel-efficient diesel models, it is impossible to achieve such a low cost level.
Compared to a parallel used by our editorial team as a permanent tester compact SUV (8 liter gasoline / 100 km) caused the Arona about 60 percent less fuel costs. For a total distance of 700 kilometers, the savings were almost 50 Euro. Every weekend. Whoever calculates his 30.000 kilometers together over the year can reduce his annual fuel costs by a good 2.000 Euro compared to a moderately thirsty petrol engine. Calculated over ten years you would have retracted so the 20.320 Euro acquisition costs for the small natural gas seat already.
Although especially the cost chapter speaks in a very convincing way for the natural gas drive, continues to find in Germany little spread. The same applies to the gas stations. Around 850 are up-to-date. If you keep an eye on the fuel gauge, you can ask the navigation system for suitable refueling options on the route and usually open a gas pump at the end of the gas line. In our case, we have only very rarely tap into the existing gas supply. Sometimes, however, we were forced to make minor detours in search of natural gas. But even that can be worthwhile, because on retracted commuter tours you are sometimes led into areas that you would never have met otherwise. However, it does not have to be a detour, because the small supply of gasoline is enough for 100 kilometers.
The refueling of natural gas is way more complicated and also takes longer than gasoline or diesel, but you do not have to take a tap in his hand, which stinks of fuel. Natural gas remains odorless at this point. Accordingly, the motto of the TGI is: saving without stinky fingers. Also in terms of the environment, the natural gas Arona is a really clean thing. The Institut Ökotrend certifies the model even an outstandingly good environmental balance, because the gas burns with little harmful residues. Nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and especially soot particles emissions remain at a very low level. Also in terms of CO2 emissions, the advantage over gasoline is enormous. If it has to be a SUV with a burn, you drive with an Arona TGI at least the most environmentally friendly.
But regardless of the clear benefits for your own wallet and for the environment, the small SUV is otherwise well worth a recommendation. In the end, the Arona remains a reasonably tailored car with plenty of room for passengers and luggage, modest comfort, versatile infotainment system and some really practical assistance systems such as the Abstandstempomat. We have missed only an automatic, which is not available for this drive version. If you want to combine a TGI drive with self-transmission, in the case of Seat to reach the larger and then around 25.000 Euro expensive Leon. Speaking of additional investment: The hold at Seat for a natural gas model compared to its petrol counterpart in modest limits. For the Arona TGI you only have to pay more 1.000 Euro. A few months in everyday life and a holiday later, you have these additional costs already retracted. From then on, you really save, which is why you like the disadvantages associated with a natural gas engine.
Seat Arona 1.0 TGI - Technical Specifications:
Small car SUV, length: 4,14 meter, width: 1,78 meter (1,94 meter with outside mirror), height: 1,55 meter, wheelbase: 2,57 meter, trunk volume: 282 to 1.162 liter.
1,0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine with turbocharging, six-speed manual, 66 kW / 90 horsepower, maximum torque: 160 Nm at 1.900 to 3.500 rpm, 0-100 km / h: 13,3 s, Vmax: 172 km / h, Average consumption: 3,9 kg (WLTP), CO2 emissions: 106 g / km, fuel tank capacity: 13,8 kg, standard range 360 kilometers, emission standard: Euro 6, efficiency class: A, test consumption: 5,2 kg CNG / 100 km; Price: from 20.320 Euro.