SEAT Ibiza 1.2 S

There’s a lot to like about the new Ibiza. It’s competitively priced and cheap to insure, thanks to a low group rating, and it looks good – which is exactly how a model in the supermini sector should be. Apart from the clever dock for your sat-nav, which is a great touch, there’s nothing revolutionary about the new model. That’s not to say it’s a bad car, especially in entry-level S spec with the characterful three-cylinder petrol engine. But while it’s one of the biggest machines in the class, it’s not particularly roomy, and is beaten in most areas by its rivals.

A good supermini has to be all things to all people: small on the outside yet big on the inside, high quality but still cheap to buy, sporty and easy to insure, and unique yet reassuringly popular.

Unsurprisingly, SEAT claims its new Ibiza is all of those things as it arrives in the UK this week. It offers more space, style, quality and equipment than its predecessor, and the engine range promises to be cleaner and greener, too.

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

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Three petrol engines are available from launch: a three-cylinder 1.2-litre and a pair of four-cylinder units in 1.4 and 1.6-litre capacities. Here we try the five-door S A/C model, which adds air-conditioning to the basic S trim for an extra £500. From the outside, there are two big differences between this and higher-spec versions – a pair of black plastic wing mirrors and the baritone thrum of the three-cylinder motor.

And having driven all three back-to-back on UK roads, it’s the torquey nature of the 1.2-litre unit that makes this base model the most convincing car in the launch line-up.

The 112Nm peak torque is delivered at 3,000rpm, and while that’s not a lot, it comes at lower in the rev range than in the 1.4 and 1.6-litre motors.

The powerplant offers a great mix of aural fireworks and muted performance – it’s fun to rev hard, even if it does become harsh towards the red line. This 1.2-litre variant is available only with ‘comfort’ suspension, which softens the damping slightly and makes do with a thinner front anti-roll bar for a more absorbent ride than the ‘sport’ set-up.

And for daily driving, this is the better setting of the two. It offers a solid feel, while riding smoothly over bumps.

The base Ibiza handles well, and although the steering feels a touch artificial, the car still inspires confidence in tight corners. All variants come with ABS as standard, while our model was equipped with the optional stability programme, which adds £380 to the price.

Inside, things are pleasingly similar to the higher-powered Ibizas, with only a pair of flatter seats in the front and a more monochrome look to the cabin separating basic versions from those further up in the range.

The steering wheel adjusts for both height and reach, but although SEAT’s designers have addressed criticism of the previous car by making the driving position lower, the seat is still set too high.

In S spec, the Ibiza is well put together and comes with a decent amount of equipment as standard – particularly with the addition of air-con. Some of the plastics low-down are hard and slightly tacky, but it’s a substantial leap forward over the previous generation.

The sat-nav cradle on top of the dashboard is a neat touch, especially as it’s a mere £35 option. What’s
more, SEAT claims it will be compatible with 95 per cent of the portable sat-nav systems currently on the market.

The newcomer has quite a large boot, but the five-door doesn’t offer as much legroom in the rear as we
would have hoped for. This is surprising when you consider that the Ibiza is one of the biggest cars in the class!

Rival: Renault Clio
not the newest supermini around, but the Clio still delivers a compelling mix of sharp looks, quality finish and tidy handling. It’s a strong contender in this sector, and a more tempting choice than the new Ibiza.