Skip advert
Advertisement

SEAT Ibiza FR

Does latest Spanish flier live up to the badge? We reveal all

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£4,423 off RRP*
Find your SEAT Ibiza
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

There are faster, more raucous hot hatches on the market, but the Ibiza FR makes a lot of sense. It’s cheaper to buy, insure and run than the Cupra and Bocanegra, yet still offers plenty of thrills. The turbo and supercharged 1.4-litre engine provides a seamless band of torque, while the handling is as sporty as we expect from a SEAT. Buyers wanting a practical but involving hatch should take a closer look.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Punchy thrills at a budget price. That’s what SEAT’s new Ibiza FR promises, as it features the VW Group’s 1.4-litre TSI engine.

We hit the road in the warm supermini to see if it delivers.

The FR retains the sharp lines of the standard Ibiza, but adds a chunkier front bumper and honeycomb grille. A subtle spoiler on the rear helps to complete the sporty edge.

The engine is boosted by a turbocharger and a supercharger, so there’s lots of power from low revs. With 148bhp on tap, the FR sprints from 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds.

Equally impressive is the soundtrack – a terrific bassy thrum from the exhaust that encourages you to hang on to the gears a little longer. Power is fed through the DSG dual-clutch transmission.

This works well by itself in Drive or Sport mode, but when you switch to control it through the steering wheel paddles, changes are jerky. A conventional box would suit the car better.

Inside, the cabin is durable and well put together. As with other Ibizas, soft-touch plastics and familiar switchgear from the Volkswagen parts bin feature, but the newcomer gets FR logos on the sports seats and adjacent to the dials.

Throw the car into a bend and it clings on with gusto. Yet there’s more body roll than you’d find in the faster Ibiza Cupra and Bocanegra.

Then again, the FR isn’t designed to be as focused as the higher-spec models. Not only does it have 30bhp less power, its suspension isn’t as firm, and so it rides more smoothly.

As a result, it sits in insurance group 11 – three below the Cupra and Bocanegra. And at £14,995, it costs £1,000 and £1,700 respectively less to buy. That’s great value, and will help this latest warm Ibiza appeal to young drivers in the market for a sporty hatch.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Seat Ibiza

Seat Ibiza

RRP £14,980Avg. savings £4,423 off RRP*Used from £7,990
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £8,952
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £16,811
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £15,700
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Hot Volkswagen Golf GTI for a cool £287 a month
Volkswagen Golf GTI - front cornering left 1

Car Deal of the Day: Hot Volkswagen Golf GTI for a cool £287 a month

The Golf GTI has been a classic from day one – and it’s our Deal of the Day for 8 July.
News
8 Jul 2025