‘SEAT'S LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE’

Added 16^th July, 2021

By Car and Driving

Can driving SEAT's Ibiza supermini bring a taste of sunny Spain to suburban England? June Neary gets behind the wheel.

‘SPANISH FLY’

Added 4^th August, 2017

By Jonathan Crouch

At the end of the day, it's horses for courses. If you're a red-blooded hot hatch enthusiast, you'll have no time for eco-conscious hot hatches like this one. You'll want a Renaultsport Clio 200 and happily put up with its firm ride, noisy engine and high running costs. The Ibiza Cupra is for a more thoughtful kind of buyer. Someone with bills to pay and a green conscience. Someone who still loves to grip-and-go but doesn't need to be doing it every waking mile. For you, this Ibiza Cupra will suit perfectly, quick but resolutely high-tech and in every way 21st century. Truly a shopping rocket of our times.

‘SUPERIOR FROM IBERIA?’

Added 10^th April, 2017

By Jonathan Crouch

Due to its package of carefully-judged updates, this post-2015-era Ibiza doesn't really feel in any way out-dated, thanks to a Leon-style interior and a package of media connectivity that was cutting-edge in its period for the supermini sector. Sharp styling and a wide range of bodystyles also weigh in this car's favour too. As do the low running costs you can achieve if you opt for the EcoTSI and Ecomotive engines. There are, it's true, sharper-handling rivals. And there are those that will be cheaper or better equipped. But this SEAT is there or thereabouts in all of the key areas. Plus find one smartly dressed by its original owner and it can look very sharp indeed. In summary, we're looking here at a car that matured nicely. And can make plenty of sense as a used buy.

‘ISLE BE BACK’

Added 21^st August, 2015 , updated 9^th September, 2015

By Andy Enright

The fourth generation SEAT Ibiza is one of those cars that was tweaked and fettled until it really came good. It helped that the basic design was right but this model really only got into its stride after the 2012 model update, when new engines and a smarter interior were added to the mix. As a used buy, this refreshed MK4 model Ibiza is good value for money, as residual values haven't stood up quite as well as its Volkswagen Polo counterpart. Ideally, we'd want one of the rare 1.4 TSI ACT engines, but if funds didn't permit that, base 1.2-litre petrol and diesel variants make a lot of sense too. Spanish flair on a budget? That's about the size of it.

‘BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE?’

Added 10^th March, 2015

By Jonathan Crouch

So how to sum up this SEAT Ibiza? Well, the shape seems to hang together well, especially in slick SportCoupe guise. There's also a reassuring commitment to technology and the basics seem to be in place for a decent drive. The interior is a big step forward too from the rather cheap-feeling cabin of this car's predecessor. All of which is just as well for the competition in the supermini market is white hot and a car that is blandly competent across the board isn't going to cut it. Fortunately, this Ibiza has a flair all of its own and is usefully cheaper than the Volkswagen Polo it's based upon. You could just find it a refreshing change from the usual suspects in this sector.

‘BIG IN THE BALEARICS ’

Added 31^st October, 2005

By Andy Enright

Over the last few years SEAT have steadily carved out a reputation as the best place to go for quality at a reasonable price. Given that the residual value of the marque's offerings doesn't begin to approach that of Volkswagen or Audi, a used SEAT is the best way to buy into the VW empire at sensible prices. The Ibiza range is reliable, reasonably stylish and beautifully bolted together. Opt for the 1.9 TDi models and you get a classy all-rounder, whilst the 1.6 Sport is a good choice for those who are slightly younger at heart. It's best to buy at least a two year old Cupra model, due to its high depreciation, so the market may well have to play catch up with the bulk of these cars, the same applying even more resolutely to the Cupra R. Track down a good one and you'll have one over on every Polo, Golf and A3 driver you see. It doesn't get much better than that.

Independent Reviews of SEAT Ibiza New and Used Cars

‘SEAT'S LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE’

‘SPANISH FLY’

‘SPANISH SENSE’

‘SUPERIOR FROM IBERIA?’

‘ISLE BE BACK’

‘ISLE BE BACK’

‘BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE?’

‘IBIZA UNCOVERED ’

‘TAKING A BACK SEAT ’

‘BIG IN THE BALEARICS ’

‘DRIVING SEAT’

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