Name: Seat Ibiza Review
Item: Seat Ibiza
Author: Gumtree.com

Looking for a small car that’s easy to park, but hankering after the boot space and composed handling of a bigger vehicle? The SEAT Ibiza, originally launched in 1984, will do the trick. It’s the Catalan manufacturer’s challenger to the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo and Vauxhall Corsa. Priced in between the Fabia and the Polo, it competes well and holds its value to boot. Some might find the interior a little basic, but if that’s not a problem for you, the Ibiza is one of the best small cars out there – roomy, fun to drive, and with a choice of strong petrol engines.

Visit the SEAT Ibiza hub to explore available cars.

What we think about the SEAT Ibiza

The SEAT Ibiza offers a step up in size from the supermini class, with plenty of space inside and a stylish exterior.

Pros

Composed handling

Spacious interior

Low running costs

Cons

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Basic, hard plastic interior

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More road noise than some rivals

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On the pricier side of its range

The SEAT Ibiza is available in a range of trims, from the good-value SE to the high-spec Xcellence Lux. The SE Technology trim offers a souped-up infotainment system that may attract younger buyers. The 2017 iteration brought an overhaul of the interior, with a new dash and centre console.

Driving performance of the Seat Ibiza

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

Driving a SEAT Ibiza, you might wonder whether you really are behind the wheel of a small car. Although the entry-level 79 bhp engine with no turbocharger performs rather sluggishly at low revs, the 1.0-litre TSI 95 will take you from 0-60 in 9.9 seconds and can hit 115 mph. Steering is responsive enough for manoeuvring around town while offering enough feedback to give you a sense of connection to faster roads. The Ibiza offers brisk cornering with little in the way of lean and has the towing capacity of a Ford Focus.

Safety and reliability of the Seat Ibiza

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

Awarded the maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2017, the SEAT Ibiza takes safety seriously. Every model comes with six airbags, and newer versions include an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system as standard too. The FR and Xcellence trims also offer extra features such as tiredness recognition, adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection with auto-brake. When it comes to reliability, the Ibiza is fairly average, finishing mid-table in the 2020 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Survey.

Under the bonnet of the Seat Ibiza

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

The entry-level 80 bhp, three-cylinder engine should be fine around town for most buyers, but can start to struggle when faced with steep hills (or when you’ve loaded that spacious boot to its full capacity). The turbo-charged versions pack a lot more punch further down the rev range. The 115 bhp option offers the biggest improvement here, but taking the extra expense into account, the upgrade might be difficult to justify – the 95 bhp version provides flexibility and value for money.

What you'll find in the Seat Ibiza

Our Design Rating9 / 10

With its stylish lines, creases down the side and aggressively styled headlights, the SEAT Ibiza is blessed with striking good looks. Door-mounted rear-view mirrors and more creases down the bonnet add sporty touches, and the FR models come with larger alloy wheels. The ‘arrow design’ was introduced in 2008 with the fourth generation, bringing in the sharp angles and a generally sportier look, while retaining the balanced proportions and corner stance wheels of its popular predecessors.

Comfort and interiors in the Seat Ibiza

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

The best thing about being inside the SEAT Ibiza is the space it has up front. The comfortable seat offers good support, with the tighter sports seats on the FR and FR Sport models holding you in place through twists and turns. Where the car falls down in the eyes of some buyers is the quality of the interior finish. There’s a leather trim on the steering wheel but little else in the way of soft materials. If plush interiors are your thing, it’s worth checking out the top-spec FR Sport, Xcellence and Xcellence Lux models.

What features you'll find in the Seat Ibiza

Our Features Rating8 / 10

The latest Ibiza comes with a wide range of features as standard, including a tyre pressure monitor, traction control and Isofix child seat anchor points. A height-adjustable driver’s seat and front head restraints add to the comfortable feel, though in older models the wind-up rear windows are a gripe for some. Newer models have an infotainment system that’s one of the best available in the small car class, with a responsive touchscreen and user-friendly operating system. The 1.0 FR [EZ] 5dr comes with rain-sensing windscreen wipers and a sports suspension for more agile handling.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Seat Ibiza

Our Fuel Consumption Rating9 / 10

The efficient engines available for the SEAT Ibiza offer very affordable motoring, with all engine options giving you more than 45 miles to the gallon. The official figure for the entry-level 79 bhp engine is 52.3 mpg, while the turbocharged TSI will squeeze a couple of extra miles out of each gallon, also making it from 0-60 mph in just under ten seconds. A 1.6-litre TDI diesel is also available, up to 94 bhp.

Running costs of the Seat Ibiza

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

As well as being economical to fuel, the Ibiza should deliver you lower bills when it comes to insurance. The SE trim with a 1.0-litre engine sits in group three, while the turbocharged versions are in groups eight to 12. SEAT’s three-year or 60,000-mile warranty isn’t the most generous, especially when compared with rivals such as the Renault Clio. Plus, bearing in mind the slightly lower reliability, you might want to opt for a fixed-price servicing plan. You should be able to find a two-year or 20,000-mile plan for slightly more than you’d pay for a plan on a Ford Fiesta.

Our verdict of the Seat Ibiza

4.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

The SEAT Ibiza is one of the best superminis on the market, offering many of the benefits of a larger car in a small package that's great for navigating the city.

SEAT Ibiza Review