Skip advert
Advertisement
Road tests

SEAT Ibiza Anniversary Edition 2024 review: a so-so celebration of the Spanish supermini

The Ibiza's 40th birthday isn't quite as spectacular as we'd like

Overall Auto Express rating

3.5

How we review cars
Price
from £23,000
Find your SEAT Ibiza
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Verdict

The Anniversary Edition is SEAT’s big 40th birthday present for its most cherished offspring, and yet we can’t help but feel it misses the mark. Even in not-for-UK 1.5-litre TSI guise, the Ibiza feels like it needs a little more power in order to exploit its well-balanced chassis. Still, UK buyers not fussed by straight-line speed may find appeal in the Anniversary Edition’s bolstered sports seats, exclusive paint and other styling enhancements – a good thing, as these are the only real differences compared to the standard car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

SEAT has appeared a little stuck in the mud in recent years; all of the Volkswagen Group’s other mainstream brands have decided to embrace the future and offer at least one electric car, whereas SEAT’s entire line-up remains predominantly petrol-powered.

This ostensible inability to let go of the past is perhaps no better represented than by the new SEAT Ibiza Anniversary Edition – a limited-run version launched to celebrate the 40th birthday of the brand’s best-selling model.

So, what’s new? Well, you’ve probably noticed the car’s Graphene Grey paint which features heavily on models from SEAT’s performance brand, Cupra. Speaking of which, the Anniversary Edition also gets a pair of front sports seats that look to have been pinched almost directly from the electric Cupra Born EV. Aside from looking and feeling a lot plusher than the Ibiza’s standard fare, they hug your figure nicely and immediately make the Anniversary model feel a lot more purposeful from behind the wheel.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

In a bid to further enhance the pseudo hot hatchback feel of the Anniversary Edition, European cars like the one we drove get a 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine, also found in the warm Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo. This powertrain was discontinued in the UK a while ago, though, meaning we’re offered a pair of less powerful 1.0-litre units that are already available in the rest of the Ibiza line-up. There’s a choice of 94bhp and 108bhp outputs, with the latter reaching 62mph in around 10 seconds.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The absence of the larger engine isn’t as much of a shame as you might imagine, though, as despite the perceived extra oomph, the 1.5-litre model fails to deliver any more driving enjoyment than the standard car.

The DSG gearbox fitted to our car is also available with the more powerful of the two 1.0-litre engines, but we’d recommend sticking with the manual as, in true Spanish fashion, the automatic likes to take a siesta right when you need it most. Floor the throttle and you’ll be met with a delay, followed by an unpleasant groan from the engine whilst the transmission flounders to find the correct ratio.

Regardless, we’ve always liked the way the Ibiza drives, and that’s still the case even seven years after this fifth-generation car launched. The steering is consistently light – even in Sport mode – but it’s quick and direct nonetheless, meaning the SEAT feels a lot more eager to attack a twisty road or dart between city traffic than the comparatively sedate Fabia. Refinement is also impressive for a car of the Ibiza’s size, although we noticed the car’s FR sports suspension could feel a bit firm over bigger bumps.

Being based on that highly-specified FR model, the Anniversary Ibiza gets a long equipment list which includes a pretty configurable digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control and a reversing camera – not to mention a small smattering of ‘Anniversary Edition’ trinkets like exclusive kickplates. 

Although the Ibiza may be getting on a bit, it's still reasonably practical with decent space in the back and a deep, 355-litre boot. Quality is good, with separate buttons for the climate controls, which are a welcome inclusion. Less commendable, however, is the laggy centre touchscreen which had us prodding at it like you would the ‘close doors’ button on a lift when a stranger is fast approaching.

While UK pricing is still to be determined, we reckon the only thing it’s really missing is a more exciting engine, which would doubtless make it a more fitting tribute to the cheeky and youthful attitude of the eighties original.

Model:SEAT Ibiza Anniversary Edition
Price:From £23,000 (est.)
Power/torque:148bhp/250Nm
Transmission:Seven-speed dual-clutch auto, front-wheel drive
0-62mph:7.9 seconds (est.)
Top speed:134mph (est.)
Fuel economy/CO2:57mpg/112g/km (est.)
Dimensions (L/W/H):4,059/1,780/1,447mm
On sale:Q1 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement
Consumer reporter

Tom is Auto Express' Consumer reporter, meaning he spends his time investigating the stories that matter to all motorists - enthusiasts or otherwise. An ex-BBC journalist and Multimedia Journalism graduate, Tom previously wrote for partner sites Carbuyer and DrivingElectric and you may also spot him throwing away his dignity by filming videos for the Auto Express social media channels.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each
Land Rover Defender Octa - front action

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each

Buyers aren’t being deterred by the hefty asking price for the most powerful Defender yet, with 2,900 already signing up worldwide
News
12 Nov 2024
Mazda CX-60 is now more comfortable thanks to 2025 updates
Mazda CX-60 - front 3/4 static

Mazda CX-60 is now more comfortable thanks to 2025 updates

Mazda’s SUV has picked up some worthy trim and technical updates
News
13 Nov 2024
Dacia Duster vs MG ZS: which is the best budget hybrid SUV?
Dacia Duster and MG ZS - front tracking

Dacia Duster vs MG ZS: which is the best budget hybrid SUV?

The new Dacia Duster and MG ZS are the UK’s cheapest small SUVs. Which makes more sense in hybrid form?
Car group tests
13 Nov 2024