The SUV sensation is continuing full steam ahead. Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are taking up a larger share of the market year after year. In 2021 they accounted for 46% of car registrations in Europe, 5 percentage points more than the previous year. A clear example of this growth evolution is SEAT’s SUV range. In 2022 it topped the one million mark in terms of sales of its three models just six years after the launch of its first one. Last year, the Arona, Ateca and Tarraco already accounted for 49% of the brand’s global sales, with 192,100 units. Design, versatility and sporty driving play an essential role amongst the reasons for their popularity.
A versatile leader. The 1 millionth SUV was none other than a SEAT Arona, always at the forefront. Since its launch in 2017, SEAT’s first urban SUV has become the brand’s most popular car, with 481,585 units sold globally. A best-seller in Spain in 2021, this is the first time an SUV has led the market in the country. It has sold close to 98,000 units in Spain since its debut. It stands out for its functional and practical design, youthful and customisable image, value for money, great dynamic performance and technological interior, which make it a comfortable, connected and very safe car. The SEAT Arona is produced at the Martorell factory.
All-terrain elegance. It is followed by the robust SEAT Ateca, the first SUV in the brand’s history. The compact SUV has now sold 435,443 units. Its elegant lines and distinctly sporty character give it an unmistakable identity, emphasised by its 4Drive all-wheel drive version, one of the most efficient on the market. It has a strong following in Germany, where sales already total more than 108,000 units thanks to its agile, stable and comfortable handling in any situation, which perfectly matches its off-road nature.
Large by design. Alongside it stands the SEAT Tarraco. Launched in 2018, 88,820 units of this SUV have been sold globally so far. It was the first model to be named by popular vote in which more than 140,000 people participated. Its trend-setting design enhances its presence. However, what makes it stand out most is its spaciousness, with an ergonomic interior seating up to seven and a boot capacity of up to 1,775 litres with all the rows of seats folded down. In addition, its elevated position gives it practicality without compromising its sporty handling with great cornering precision. As with the Ateca, its biggest market is Germany, where 29,000 units have been sold.
