SEAT Arona FR review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

SEAT’s Arona, first launched here in late 2017, is regarded as being a small city crossover or compact SUV. The latest upgrade of the model was unveiled here in October 2025 along with a refreshed Ibiza, both with a refreshed youthful look, upgraded interior, and choice of TSI petrol engines. There are no hybrid or fully-electric versions. Well over 750,000 units have been sold globally to drivers seeking ‘the perfect urban SUV' for energy, versatility and the styling for which the brand is renowned. The 413 Arona buyers in Ireland so far this year show many Irish customers agree with those sentiments. 

Arona is named after a town on the southern coast of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands. SEAT cars are built at the company’s production plant at Martorell, outside Barcelona, where Arona is built on the same platform as the Ibiza hatchback. 

The exterior of my car was in Oniric Grey, more like a soft mint shade which looked really well with the contrasting black roof. Features are a new hexagonal grille design, new front and rear bumpers emphasising the car’s sportiness, roof rails, 18-inch ‘Performance’ Alloy wheels, painted door handles and mirrors, front fog lights with cornering function, rear fog lights, DLRs, and dark-tinted windows. 

As this was the FR grade, it had a laser-etched FR logo on the B-pillar for another sporty edge. The FR logo stands for Formula Racing, which, as well as styling, improves the car’s driving experience by firming up the suspension, steering, and engine options. 

The spacious interior had dark headlining, attractive two-tone textile bucket seats – with integrated see-through head restraints – that were both comfy and supportive. Seats have manual adjustments and can be heated (with the optional Winter Pack). You sit higher than you would do in a normal hatchback. The forward slope of the windscreen, the narrow A-pillars, and long side windows provided excellent forward and side visibility, especially at roundabouts. 

The upper dash includes nice soft-touch material (repeated on seats and doors) and a wide silver bar for added interest. Selection for the DSG automatic transmission is on the flat of the central console beside the Drive Mode selector for Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual choices. I liked the traditional pull-up handbrake for quick reassurance that it was engaged when parked. The 9.2-inch central display screen navigation system seemed just right for the Arona. Graphics are colourful and clear. The system features Full Link smartphone integration with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there are rotary knobs for adjusting the dual-zone temperature while on the move. A 10.25-inch driver’s information cluster consists of two dials with speed shown in small figures on the bottom right. It would be more visible if located high up between the dials. However, you can customise the screen to suit your preference, including having a map of the area shown between both dials. The leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel includes remote audio, voice and volume controls, and paddles mounted behind the steering wheel for manually changing gears. 

Other features are a bucket-type glovebox, good-sized door bins, two cupholders, a small area below the front armrest, two small USBs, and a wireless phone charger. Rear passengers have good head- and leg space, albeit with a high transmission tunnel, and pockets on front seat backs; the middle seat is fixed in place, so there is no centre armrest with cupholders. Boot capacity of 400 litres can expand to 823 litres with rear seats folded down. 

Trims are SE, SE Plus, FR, Arona, and Black Edition. Even the entry-level Arona is well specced with numerous standard features. Petrol engines are a 1.0 TSI 95hp 3-cylinder with a 5-speed manual gearbox, or a 1.0 TSI 115hp paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which was my review car. Maximum torque is 200Nm, top speed 195km/h, and acceleration from 0-100km/h is 10.00 seconds. Average fuel consumption is circa 5.7 L/100kms but I achieved 4.6 L/100kms over an 80km journey. Road tax is €200. The car can start looking for a suitable parking space when you press the Park Assist button. It will turn the steering wheel to guide you into parallel or bay spaces. 

Other useful features include front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, Hill hold, Drowsiness monitoring system, Lane assist, Front assist with autonomous Emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist protection. 

Arona received the maximum 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in 2022. I was able to get a good driving position behind the wheel; there was nice pick-up from the punchy engine and good response from the direct steering; I felt every bump in the road with the sporty-tuned suspension. Arona is a good small SUV for scooting around town, for school runs, or on drives down the country, but the engine could get quite noisy at high revs, and there was also some noise on certain road surfaces. Arona has a 3-year (90,000km) manufacturer’s warranty as standard. 

The range entry level is priced at €28,146; my FR car as tested €36,146.

Škoda reveals Epiq in Ireland

Škoda Ireland has unveiled the Epiq, a fully electric small SUV, priced from €24,559, writes Brian Byrne. It joins the Enyaq and Elroq in Škoda’s electric lineup and is the brand's most affordable EV. 

The Epiq features Škoda's Modern Solid Design, a 475-litre boot, and is the company's first front-wheel-drive electric model. It offers a range of around 435 kilometres, fast DC charging in 24 minutes, and features which include V2L, V2H, and one-pedal driving. 

Available in four trim levels, customers can choose between a 38.5 kWh battery (275 km range) or a 55 kWh battery (435 km range). Orders have been open since May, and there will be preview events in October and November. First deliveries are expected in January 2027. 

Motorcycle safety campaign

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a campaign urging drivers to “Look Right, Look Left, Look Right Again” at junctions to enhance motorcycle safety, writes Brian Byrne. Motorcyclists are highly vulnerable, with 954 seriously injured in Ireland from 2021 to 2025, and 16 fatalities this year. 

The campaign highlights that failure to observe is a common cause of collisions, especially at junctions. Developed through data analysis and expert consultation, the initiative aims to prevent accidents by encouraging drivers to take an extra glance for motorcyclists, who are smaller and harder to spot. 

As summer progresses, the RSA calls on all road users to slow down and be vigilant to improve safety. 

Fiat switches Team Ireland to Grande Pandas

Fiat Ireland has updated the Team Ireland fleet with the all-new Grande Panda, replacing Fiat 600s, as part of its partnership with the Olympic Federation of Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. The handover was at the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown, Dublin, where athletes Sarah Lavin, Philip Doyle, and Thomas Barr attended the event. 

The partnership provides athletes with a dedicated fleet for training and events, including two Fiat Professional vans for equipment transport. John Saunders, Fiat Ireland’s Managing Director, said the company was proud to support athletes on their journey to Los Angeles 2028. Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, highlighted the practical benefits of reliable transport. 

The Grande Panda, available in electric and mild hybrid variants, starts at €22,995 and has won several awards, including the Red Dot Award 2025. The Fiat range will expand with the Grizzly SUV and Fastback later this year. 

Kia PV5 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

I've long been intrigued by the discrepancy about van-derived cars between us in these islands and our continental cousins, writes Brian Byrne. What seems to be a level of snobbery versus practicality, shared by the Irish with the UK, means we very rarely choose what is technically termed a Leisure Activity Vehicle (LAV) as a family car. In comparison, such cars are very popular in France, and enjoy a slightly smaller but still high buyer cohort in Spain. Somewhat less so in Germany, Europe's largest car market, but still significant among budget-conscious family buyers. 

Over my decades in this business, I have driven most of them, and I have always felt their advantages — toughness and durability, height and space, and the fact that vans are designed for drivers who work in them all day — very much outweighed their utilitarian style.

It's a busy space, rather dominated by Stellantis conversions of their Peugeot, Citroën, Opel and Fiat compact vans. Also Renault with their Kangoo and Mercedes Citan derivative versions, along with Volkswagen's Caddy and ID Buzz passenger vehicles and Ford's Transit Custom iteration. This year there's a Korean contender, the PV5, which has been garnering some very favourable commentary, and, here, a surprising level of registrations — especially since it is only available in EV form. (It's worth noting that the Stellantis group last year flirted with making its LAVs available only in EV form, but since then has quietly reversed course and is now offering petrol and diesel powertrains again.)

Against the competition, the PV5 has a much more clean-cut look than most others, notably a cab-forward styling sloping steeply to a bonnetless front. Deep side front windows also help it stand out, as does, in some colour choices, nice two-toning which my car didn't have. It is bigger than the standard LAV alternatives, but smaller in most dimensions than the more directly competing longer ones, including VW's Buzz, Citroën’s Berlingo XL, Peugeot's Rifter Long, and Fiat's Doblo Maxi. At the back, there's a high lift-up tailgate that can make a very useful shelter from showers while parked at the picnic spots.

The efficient style is repeated inside, with a flat dashboard and neat screens for infotainment and driving information. Storage options reflect the needs of the commercial driver in terms of size and capacity, and that's no bad thing for a family's requirements too. The two front seats — there will be a 3-seat option if there's demand — are comfortable in artificial leather, supportive, and incorporate individual armrests. It's an easy cab to get in and out of. For three in the rear, there's lots of space, and more legroom than might be expected. The rear seatbacks recline, too, and with a brace of USB ports on the front seatbacks, the teens' devices will be kept going for the long trips. The boot capacity of up to 1,300 litres should take all their leisure gear, with room to spare.

The PBV5 comes with a 71kWh long-range battery, and a rated range of 412 km in the passenger version. A heat pump climate system is standard and is estimated to improve the range by up to 10 per cent.

Since launch, I have had several opportunities to drive the PV5 over a wide range of activities and types of road, including some mountain driving on narrow and twisting journeys. Whether in the hills or on main roads, the driving experience is very pleasant and untiring, and the high seating, along with the extensive glass area up front, offers really good visibility and a sense of being above the traffic and the hedges. The EV powertrain means there's also a level of serenity not achievable with ICE motors, especially a diesel.

Since February, almost a hundred passenger versions of the PV5 have been registered in Ireland. That's out of about 430 LAVs altogether. Given that a third of those are EVs, it's clear that the Kia PV5 is getting the lion's share (sorry, Peugeot!) there. Something about the car has struck a chord with family users. It will be interesting to see how far this goes.

PRICE: €42,550. WHAT I LIKED: The different style and competent drive.

Supercar Weekend in Dundrum SC supports Bumbleance

Supercar Weekend returns to Dundrum Town on 22 and 23 August, celebrating its fifth year as a free exotic automotive showcase, writes Brian Byrne. The event is in partnership with motoring marketplace Carzone, and supports charity partner Bumbleance. 

Over 100 prestige, performance, and classic vehicles will be on display, including the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, McLaren 720S, and Audi R8 V10 Plus.

New for 2026 are exclusive ticketed experiences: a morning VIP Experience offering early access, guided tours, and coffee, and “Five for Five: An Evening with Carl Mullan,” featuring a live panel with supercar owners. 

Interactive attractions like Carzone’s Coffee Zone and the Turbo Catch Challenge complete the line-up.

Motorsport competitor Kelsey Kirby will join Saturday's panel talk hosted by Anna Daly, and also featuring NEVO founder Derek Reilly, discussing the future of motorsport and supercars in a sustainable world. The Grand Prix Lounge in partnership with Sky will screen the Dutch Grand Prix live.

Free daytime admission runs from 11am to 5pm Saturday and 10:30am to 5pm Sunday at Dundrum Town’s Red Car Park, Level 1. 

Volvo ES90 review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Volvo’s premium ES90, launched last year, is a mix of saloon, liftback, and crossover. It is the sixth fully electric model in the brand’s line-up. 

One glance confirms excellent design: a confident stance courtesy of a long wheelbase, aerodynamic lines provide a commendable drag coefficient of only 0.25, big 22-inch wheels and raised ride height providing a commanding view of the road. I always like the brand’s unique LED headlight design, inspired by the mythical hammer of the Norse god Thor, which helps excellent night-time visibility. The coupe-like style looks swell, but results in a letterbox view in the rear view mirror. At the back are C-shaped LED tail lamps. 

The cabin is ‘business class’ all the way with full attention to detail. Volvo uses recycled and natural materials for sustainability, helping lower production CO2 emissions. Some 29% of all aluminium and 18% of all steel used is recycled, while wood panels come from FSC-certified wood. 

My car had beautiful leather upholstery. There’s plenty of head and legroom front and rear. Front seats are sculpted for comfort and designed to ease shoulder strain, and with ‘almost’ integrated headrests. They come with power adjustments, lumbar support, and cushion extensions for extra thigh support. They can be heated and ventilated, depending on specification. 

The 14.5-inch portrait touch screen is quite intuitive to use, but I had to go through it to adjust the side mirrors and steering wheel, and to open the boot and glovebox, which I didn’t appreciate. Thankfully, there are real controls for favourite shortcuts and the audio volume. Apps include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated Google Maps, and Google Assistant. There’s a wireless phone charger, and two C-Type USBs front and rear. 

The customisable 9-inch driver’s cluster sits on top of the steering column, but I mainly relied on the Head-Up display for my current speed. You can choose from three views of Calm, Navi, which shows a detailed map, and Surround, that shows vehicles around. The multi-functional, three-spoke leather steering wheel is lovely to hold, and has voice and remote audio controls. Transmission selection is off the steering wheel, with the parking brake to the side. 

The top two grades include a panoramic roof that runs almost the entire length of the car - there’s no need for a blind as the tinted glass is coated and laminated to reduce glare. Other stand-out features are the double screen, rear-view camera; the 360-degree parking Surround View camera with 3D view; and Volvo’s excellent blind spot alerts on side mirrors. I’m sometimes at a loss to understand why designers include some nerd-like features in some new cars. With the ES90, the key-fob battery is rechargeable, and needs to be regularly placed on the phone charge space. Why not use a normal key fob? 

The three rear seats can all recline individually and have extended cushions. Outer ones can be heated and ventilated and include ISOFIX attachments with top tethers. The rear armrest lowers to reveal two cupholders and a hatch through to the boot. The flat floor makes foot space easier for the person in the middle seat. 

The wide liftgate and high boot floor make it easy to load and unload even large items. Luggage space is up to 424 litres with the rear backrests up; you can fold them individually or together to acquire up to 1,427 litres of space. There’s no spare, just a tyre sealant kit and compressor. A 12-volt outlet in the boot can power an electric cooler, air mattress pump, or camping stove. There’s a 27-litre front frunk to store the charging cable or washer fluid. 

The entry Core grade includes a heat pump, four-zone climate control, heated front and rear seats, and heated steering wheel; Plus adds the head-up display, 360-degree camera, interior illumination with back-lit wood decor; while the top Ultra (my review car) adds the electrochromic panoramic roof, tinted rear windows, ventilated front seats, active air suspension, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system with 25 speakers throughout the cabin, including in the headrest and ceiling. Features include Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Park Pilot Assist. 

My car was the Single Motor Extended Range Ultra RWD, but buyers have the option of Twin Motor or Twin Motor Performance variants, both with AWD. Charging from 10% to 80% can be achieved at fast charging stations in around 22 minutes. While the claimed range for my car is around 696kms, my driver’s screen showed 50% of battery charge represented another 280kms in real-world driving over all types of routes, which would give a 100% charge allowing around 560kms. I appreciated how sublime and comfy the car was to drive, the 333hp power and huge torque of 480Nm which make it capable of 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds. 

The car proved a very refined drive and was very quiet on the road; the large wheels and high ground clearance as well as the suspension, added to comfort for all on board. The car’s safety system sensors includes five radars, seven cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors, and a lidar. These safety systems are designed to detect obstacles even in darkness, and activate safety measures. 

The ES90 has not yet been tested by Euro NCAP. PRICE: A practical car for those who can afford it. The Core Single Motor Extended Range starts at €82,100; Plus from €89,900, and Ultra from €102,400. Annual road tax is €120.

A practical car for those who can afford it. The Core Single Motor Extended Range starts at €82,100; Plus from €89,900, and Ultra from €102,400. Annual road tax is €120.