Seat Ibiza review

The biggest compliment we can give is that it feels like a larger car. Jump straight out of the Arona and into an Ibiza and you really won’t notice too much difference. That’s helped by the identical dash and chairs of course, but drive it and the impression deepens – the long wheelbase and wide track keep it stable on motorways and over lumpy roads.

The ride isn’t soft, but it’s well damped and controlled, and doesn’t toss you about. Road and wind noise are well controlled for supermini standards, but you don’t get close to the mute refinement of a Golf, and the 18-inch wheels of the upper spec models don’t help ride comfort or road roar. But look, what’s that – a manual handbrake? This really is old school.

What about the powertrain?

The 1.0-litre TSI with 94bhp is a good match, emitting typical thrummy sound effects but little vibration or harshness. You even get an appealing little turbo whoosh if you floor the throttle and then lift off.

Of course it’s not rapid: 0–62mph in this mid-level option takes 11s, so it’s probably best to avoid the base spec 79bhp engine (which takes 15.3s!). Even the uppermost 113bhp TSI struggles a little with top gear on an uphill stretch of motorway, because it’s geared so long for economy. On a winding road you’ll often be down in second.

But performance is perfectly lively enough. Both the 79bhp and 94bhp engines are combined with notchy little five-speed manual gearboxes (you don’t get an auto option) that have a short throw and a nice action.

The top spec 113bhp unit can be had with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG auto gearbox. You want the manual; its DSG isn’t the smoothest and quite lazy, holding onto gears for far longer than it needs to. That said, if you’re buying one of these to use primarily around town you might prefer the auto, where those lower gears will be useful out of junctions and for holding you at pesky 20mph limits.

How is it in the corners?

Light but sharp steering gives a sense of agility, and it sweeps into corners very accurately with little roll. But there’s not a whole lot of steering feedback as you get to the limit, nor much hope of adjusting your cornering line with throttle inputs. So it’s all a bit one dimensional.

It’s worth noting here that FR trim levels come with four different drive modes that can firm up the steering (much welcome) and sharpen the throttle response. The brakes do have decent feel though and the ride is firm but acceptable, even in the sportier FR trims. Others get slightly softer suspension and smaller wheels.

Is it easy on fuel?

Pretty much all Ibizas are officially rated around 50mpg, and decent economy is achievable: fuel economy in the mid-40s should be easily attainable. We saw 38.7mpg over a mixed route with some, ahem, enthusiastic driving. You’ll see better without trying too hard.