SEAT Ibiza 1.6

The previous SEAT Ibiza was a decent supermini, but it never worried the class leaders. This model is a vast improvement. As with its rivals, it’s a genuinely grown-up small car, with good looks, a quality cabin and lots of standard equipment. It’s packed with neat touches – the sat-nav docking station is particularly good – and it’s fun to drive. If SEAT bosses price it right, they will have a popular car on their hands...

SEAT is on a charge! The company will launch 40 new models over the next decade, and aims to double its sales in the process. And here’s one of the most crucial: the new Ibiza. Bringing with it a stylish shape, higher-quality cabin and an improved driving experience, it’s targeting Ford’s imminent Fiesta.

SEAT has pulled out all the stops to give the Ibiza its best chance in the cut-throat supermini market. It’s the first model to get the VW Group’s new small car platform – which will also underpin the next Polo – and debuts the latest seven-speed semi-automatic DSG transmission.

What’s more, the Ibiza is the first SEAT to be penned solely by ex-Lamborghini designer Luc Donckerwolke. The Belgian styled the Bocanegra concept, which previewed the Ibiza at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. With its shiny black perspex front end, it drew plenty of crowds to the Spanish firm’s stand.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the SEAT Ibiza

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The production version isn’t quite as striking – the headlights and nose look rather plain. But it’s still attractive; sharp edges on the wings are reminiscent of the Nineties Fiat Coupé, and there are shades of the Leon around the roofline and sporty rear haunches.

As well as the five-door we drive here, SEAT will launch a more stylish three-door SportCoupé in November. It has a rakish tail and bears a closer resemblance to the Bocanegra. Cupra versions will even get that car’s front end.

As the five-door’s body is longer – up from 3,970mm to 4,050mm – the Ibiza offers a little more space throughout than before. The boot has a 297-litre capacity – not far behind that of the class-leading Skoda Fabia.

One of SEAT’s main aims is to beat rivals on quality. Boss Eric Schmitt is keen to apply the lessons he learned while in charge at Audi, and engineers benchmarked the Ibiza against the A3.

The newcomer feels sturdier than its predecessor, and neat details include a classy stereo finished in slick black plastic. The interior of the forthcoming Fiesta still has the edge on looks – there are too many shades of grey in the SEAT – but the Ibiza cockpit is stylish, logical and comfortable.

Plenty of thought has clearly gone into the design, too, with an innovative docking station on the facia for owners’ portable sat-navs. While trim names have yet to be confirmed, all but base models get air-con as standard.

Options will include Bluetooth, an iPod input and adaptive bi-xenon headlights, and SEAT expects a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, too. Engine choices comprise 69bhp 1.2, 84bhp 1.4 and 104bhp 1.6-litre petrol units from launch in July, with two 1.9-litre TDI diesels following in 2009. The oil-burners emit less than 120g/km of CO2, and there will also be an ECOmotive version, which promises to put out only 99g/km.

Under the skin, the new platform brings increased stiffness, a wider track and longer wheelbase. Company engineers have uprated the previous model’s strut and torsion beam suspension to improve handling, while the electric-hydraulic power-steering system has been tweaked, too.

Add in a more rigid body structure, and the new SEAT promises a sportier driving experience than ever before. On the road, the Ibiza inspires confidence. The steering is linear and accurate, the chassis agile and the ride comfortable. It’s more fun than the Skoda Fabia, but still lacks the feel and precision that the Fiesta is expected to have in abundance.

We’d also advise buyers to wait for the diesel versions. Although the 1.9 TDI is noisy, it’s gutsy and economical. To make decent progress in our 1.6-litre petrol car required lots of revs, which will hit fuel returns.