In a market that’s obsessed with crossovers, supermini estates such as the Ibiza ST are fast becoming an endangered species. Its only rivals are the Skoda Fabia Estate and Renault Clio Sport Tourer. However, SEAT has recently refreshed its Ibiza, and has even expanded the range to include the sporty FR tested here for the first time.
Angular new bumpers and a prominent central bonnet crease give the Ibiza a much sharper look than before, and the optional bi-xenon headlamps (£765) come with a row of funky upturned LED running lights.
The sharp styling does affect practicality, though, with the sloping roofline limiting rear headroom. Even so, the 430-litre boot is more than big enough for most people, and there’s added storage under the floor. Fold the rear seats flat and the luggage space swells to an impressive 1,164 litres, making the Ibiza ST surprisingly versatile.
Inside, updates such as smart new dials and gloss trim help to lift the cabin, but the Ibiza still feels a bit drab. The plastics on the dashboard look cheap and the centre console layout is dated. However, the FR model does add racy details such as a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and sports seats.
The 104bhp 1.6-litre is the most powerful diesel available in the Ibiza ST, but it never feels as urgent or smooth as the 141bhp 2.0-litre TDI you can get in the hatch. It still gives punchy in-gear acceleration, and the five-speed transmission is slick and accurate, but it’s a shame SEAT doesn’t offer the larger engine. The 1.6-litre is very efficient, though, with economy of 65.7mpg and CO2 emissions of only 112g/km.
Overall the Ibiza ST handles well, and this FR version gets lowered sports suspension, bigger alloy wheels and an electronic differential to improve cornering agility. The trade-off for this dynamic poise is a ride that’s firmer than in lesser SE models.
At £16,380, the newcomer also undercuts even the entry-level versions of small crossovers such as the Skoda Yeti and Nissan Qashqai, and in this trim comes with much more standard equipment than either.
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I've recently taken delivery of the 1.5 diesel Clio Estate in GT Line trim and can tell you it's brilliant. Really flexible high-spec interior, quiet engine (85mpg and 105g CO2) but with all the toys - and a discounted price of only 13,000. and now with 4+ it's a no brainer...
A more sensible buy than its Audi A.1 equivalent and, in a sensible world, should sell better. Alas this is not a sensible world!
I have had mine now for over a year and absolutely love it! I have the E-Ecomotive SE version which gets 75 mpg on average, no road tax to pay and my insurance costs me peanuts. The fixed service plan is very cheap and so far (touch wood) I have no problems at all after 25k.
The new look makes this car even better looking, a great all rounder that is over looked by many for some reason.
My girlfriend has a new Clio estate after dismissing the newer Ibiza.
The boot is amazing for a small estate, and if you remove the false floor in the boot of the Clio, the load space is so deep you can stand two large Samsonite suitcases upright with space over for two large wheelie bags. The boot on my MK4 Mondeo estate is shallower!
Ride quality is excellent, the 1.2 TCe engine is brilliant and the car will carry four large adults in comfort ith plenty of leg and shoulder room in the back. The car has had just one service in three years (20,000 service intervals), it really does average no less than 44mpg in mixed motoring and nothing has gone wrong.
£16.380 FOR A SEAT BADGED FABIA ESTATE, AE WHY DO U COMPARE THIS LITTLE PLASTIC CAR TO A NISSAN QASHQAI, ? QASHQAI A MUCH BIGGER & BETTER QUALITY CAR THAN THIS.