Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

SEAT Ibiza - Engines, performance and drive

With a punchy three-cylinder TSI engine and a sweet, balanced chassis, the SEAT Ibiza offers plenty of character

Engines, performance and drive rating

4.0

How we review cars
RRP
£19,795 £25,470
Avg. savings
£2,530 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

The SEAT Ibiza engine range is now centred around a 1.0-litre TSI, three-cylinder petrol engine offering two different power outputs. The three-pot suits the car well, which is fortunate because the 1.5 TSI four-cylinder powerplant, which gave the car a bit of added zip, is no longer available. It’s a shame there’s no hot hatch Cupra-badged model to rival the Volkswagen Polo GTI, especially because there’s no more Hyundai i20 N or Ford Fiesta ST to battle against. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

You'll notice a characteristic three-cylinder thrum under acceleration, although at cruising speeds the engine is almost entirely inaudible and smooth. The 114bhp TSI is a great all-rounder, and we think it's the best bet if you're going to be regularly carrying passengers or luggage.

Handling is strong, with the Ibiza feeling much like a down-sized Leon from behind the wheel. There's very little body roll, and while the ride is firm it isn't uncomfortable, although bigger wheels do result in a touch more road noise and vibration. The brakes are strong and inspire confidence.

The six-speed manual is pretty good and certainly more precise than the gearshift action you get from Stellantis-group cars such as the Vauxhall Corsa. If you need an auto, a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto is available on the 114bhp 1.0-litre car for around an extra £1,100.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed 

With the demise of the painfully slow non-turbo MPI engine, it’s the 94bhp (named 95PS) turbo model capable of a 0-62mph time of 10.9 seconds that kicks off the range. It offers decent in-gear acceleration while feeling brisk enough away from standstill, too.

The higher-powered 114bhp (115PS) DSG car will sprint from 0-62mph in a reasonable 10.3 seconds – helped by its 200Nm of available torque from 2,000rpm, and it feels better suited to motorway driving.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.0 TSI 95 SE 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £19,795
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.0 TSI 95 SE 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £19,795
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    1.0 TSI 115 FR 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £22,985
Select car
Executive editor

Paul was employed across automotive agency and manufacturer-side sectors before joining Auto Express in 2020 as our online reviews editor. After a brief sojourn at a national UK newspaper, Paul returned as executive editor where he now works closely with our commercial partners.

New & used car deals

Seat Ibiza

Seat Ibiza

RRP £14,760Avg. savings £2,530 off RRP*Used from £8,990
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £1,824 off RRP*Used from £24,000
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £15,940Avg. savings £2,827 off RRP*Used from £9,000
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,080Avg. savings £3,743 off RRP*Used from £25,098
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it
Renault 5 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it

The reborn Renault 5 is one of the most feverishly anticipated cars in a long time, and at such a low price, our Deal of the Day for 8 February is a p…
News
8 Feb 2025
Should you buy a Chinese electric car? Prices, quality, reliability and ethics explored
BYD Seal - front cornering

Should you buy a Chinese electric car? Prices, quality, reliability and ethics explored

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about Chinese electric cars. We’re here to separate the fact from the fiction
Features
7 Feb 2025