SEAT Ibiza

SEAT’s sporty Ibiza is a chic alternative to mainstream superminis and is based on the proven Volkswagen Polo

Auto Express Car Reviews

Rating:
Latest deal price: from £9,379 to £17,096
On the road price: £11,335 - £9,925
For : Distinctive looks, competitive prices, fun to drive
Against : Low quality interior trim, stiff suspension

The Ibiza was styled by the former design boss of Lamborghini, and is a great looking car. Its sculpted bodywork and slanted headlamps set the Spanish supermini apart from the competition. Don’t be fooled by the SportCoupe name attached to the three-door model – the stylish SC is still a hatchback. Both three and five-door versions are available in three trim levels – S, SE and Sport. Entry-level S models are sparsely equipped, but SE and Sport versions add air-conditioning and alloy wheels. Cupra and three door Bocanegra SC editions are impressive hot hatches, and have what it takes to satisfy even the most demanding drivers.

Our choice: SEAT Ibiza SC 1.4 TSI Cupra DSG

Styling

The Ibiza is one of the sporties looking superminis you can buy - particularly if you opt for a high performance Cupra or Bocanegra version. The cabin feels spacious up front and the driving position is spot on but tall adults will want more headroom in the back, while rear legroom is merely average. The dashboard is neatly styled but the quality of some plastics is below par – and the contrasting beige colour scheme looks cheap compared to the classy black alternative.

Driving and Performance

Flagship Bocanegra badged versions of the SEAT Ibiza offer impressive performance, thanks to a 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged engine with 180bhp. Capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in only 8.2 seconds they are easily a match for rivals like the Volkswagen Polo GTI. Firm suspension and accurate steering make them engaging to drive, but on bumpy roads, the focused set up can become a little uncomfortable. Sporty Cupra models offer a better compromise. Elsewhere in the range, the 1.2-litre diesel engined Ecomotive badged version is well worth a mention. It's light weight and torquey diesel engine make it surprisingly good fun on winding roads.

MPG and running costs

SEAT's economy star, the 1.2-litre diesel engined Ibiza Ecomotive will return 80.2mpg - making it one of the most fuel efficient superminis money can buy. Equipment levels are reasonable, and in like-for-like comparisons with its rivals the Ibiza is typically much cheaper to buy. Five door models command a small premium over their sporty SC stablemates, but hold their value better, meaning they are worth more when it's time to sell them on.

Practicality

A big 292-litre boot helps to compensate in five-door guise, and the sporty SC still provides 284-litres. Both cars offer a reasonable amount of space inside, but the plain cabin is not exactly the last word in versatility. A new version, due to be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012 will put this right.

Safety and reliability

The Ibiza put in a strong performance during Euro NCAP crash tests and was awarded five stars for occupant protection. Its overall score of 91 is also impressive compared to its supermini peers. However, it's worth pointing out that ESP is only available as an option on some models.

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For an alternative review of the latest Seat Ibiza visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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Pictures

SEAT Ibiza