SEAT Ibiza hatchback

British buyers go for superminis in their thousands, and for good reasons. For a modest monthly outlay, there’s a whole range of spacious, five-door models that are fun to drive around town and on country lanes, without coming undone on motorway slogs. As far as fuss-free motoring goes, they’re hard to beat.

We think the SEAT Ibiza is one of the best, taking the fight right to the Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo, MINI Hatchback and even the Ford Fiesta.

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New from the ground up for its 2017 launch, the Ibiza debuted the Volkswagen Group’s most up-to-date supermini platform, stealing a march even on the latest Volkswagen Polo. It offers much more interior space than before, including a practical boot.

This hasn’t come at the cost of style – in fact, the Ibiza now looks a lot more planted, thanks mostly to its 9cm wider bodywork. This has helped offset the fact it’s 2cm taller, too, and there’s a strong resemblance between this car and the SEAT Leon – which is no bad thing. Sharp creases and small touches like door-mounted side mirrors all add up to a very modern and attractive car that should strike a chord with its intended audience.

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Because designers have been able to create extra space without sacrificing looks, the three-door Ibiza SC and ST estate haven't been replaced.

Delve into the driving experience and you may wonder if you need a bigger car. Even the small-sounding 1.0-litre petrol is more than willing when a turbocharger is fitted in the TSI versions. The suspension is supple enough to deal with poor road surfaces, but firm enough to keep the Ibiza level through corners. The steering is a little lacking in tactile feedback, but the Ibiza feels so secure and refined on the move, it’s very easy to forget you’re driving a supermini at all.

The story is similar inside, where there’s an appreciable air of maturity. It’s far from revolutionary but the arrival of SEAT’s Digital Cockpit instrument panel adds to the Ibiza’s contemporary feel - it's available in FR Sport and Xcellence Lux trims and as an option for other models. Build quality and ergonomics are spot on, while equipment levels look decent – though an alarm is extra on lower-spec cars.

One area where there’s no room for criticism is interior space. SEAT has made the most of the Ibiza’s enlarged mechanical underpinnings, making a small car that’s big inside. The rear seats will accommodate two adults or three children with ease, while the 355-litre boot is only 25 litres shy of the space available in the back of the Volkswagen Golf and SEAT Leon, cars in the segment above the Ibiza.

SEAT offers the Ibiza with a wide range of petrol engines. Entry-level cars get a 79bhp 1.0-litre ‘MPI’ engine, but the majority of buyers choose a three-cylinder TSI 1.0-litre turbo-petrol. This is such a competent and willing engine that it even found its way into the latest Volkswagen Golf, and in the smaller Ibiza it appeals even more. You can have it with 94 or 113bhp, and the latter one is now the most powerful option after the 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine was discontinued. Even the entry-level 1.0-litre ‘MPI’ petrol feels quicker than its lethargic 0-62mph figure of 14.7 seconds suggests; it’s free-revving in town and takes motorway driving in its stride.

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The 1.0-litre turbo petrol officially returns up to 51.4mpg or 49.6mpg in the higher power outputs, with the 79bhp little more efficient, managing up to 52.3mpg. A DSG automatic gearbox is also available with the 113bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine.

The range-topping hot Cupra model was discontinued after the previous generation, but the 1.5-litre engine made the Ibiza feel like a mini hot hatch in the short time it was on sale, taking just 7.9 seconds to get from 0-62mph.

The diesel is a 1.6-litre TDI with 94bhp, returning around 60mpg and emitting 121-129g/km of CO2. The diesel engine comes at a hefty price premium, though, and only really makes sense if you plan on covering some serious miles; even on a PCP deal you’ll be paying around £60 extra per month compared to a petrol. It's also a bit sluggish, taking 11.3 seconds to get from 0-62mph.

Entry-level SE trim includes Bluetooth, DAB radio, air-conditioning and front electric windows, along with LED running lights, alloy wheels and a 6.5-inch colour infotainment screen. Unlike rivals, you can also choose a metallic paint colour for no extra cost.

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SE Technology brings sat nav, together with an eight-inch infotainment screen and a CD player, and gets you more kit than the equivalent Ford Fiesta trim level, the Trend. FR bundles 17-inch alloy wheels, sports seats and suspension, LED headlights, a driving mode selector and a bodykit, and FR Sport adds bigger wheels, the digital cockpit and two-zone air con. Top-spec Xcellence and Xcellence Lux spec boasts keyless entry, adaptive cruise control and all-round parking sensors with a rear-view camera.

The SEAT Ibiza will keep occupants safe, too, with a five-star Euro NCAP score after extensive crash-testing. Its adult occupant protection score of 95% is particularly high for a supermini, and the safety body has commended SEAT for fitting autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection as standard.

Overall, the latest SEAT Ibiza is a well-rounded package that sits near the top of its class. In our favourite SE Technology trim with a 1.0-litre TSI 94bhp petrol engine it's a well equipped, thrifty and fun-to-drive supermini.