SEAT Ibiza hatchback review

British buyers go for superminis in their thousands and it's easy to understand why. For very reasonable monthly payments, there’s a range of practical five-door models that are fun to drive around town and on country lanes but perfectly competent as motorway cars too. As far as fuss-free motoring goes, they’re hard to beat.

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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. A refreshed and updated Ibiza arrived in September 2021, with a subtle exterior makeover to keep it fresh. The big news was a serious interior upgrade, however, with a stylish redesign and an impressive new infotainment setup.

New from the ground up for its 2017 launch, the current 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 to its extra width and wheels pushed out to each corner. This has helped offset the fact that it's also 2cm taller, and there’s a strong resemblance between this car and the SEAT Leon – no bad thing. Sharp creases and small touches like door-mounted side mirrors all add up to a very modern and attractive car.

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, although you may want the 108bhp version if you often drive with the car fully loaded. 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 feedback but the Ibiza feels so secure and refined on the move, that it’s very easy to forget you’re driving a supermini at all.

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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. Material quality and ergonomics have been improved for the facelifted Ibiza, thanks to more soft-touch materials and an infotainment screen that's now raised from the dashboard, making it easier to see and use.

One area in which there are no grounds 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 108bhp, and the latter 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 15.3 seconds suggests; it’s free-revving in town and is fine on the motorway.

The 1.0-litre turbo petrol officially returns up to 54.3mpg or 52.3mpg in the higher power outputs, with the 79bhp just as efficient as the 108bhp option. A seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox is also available with the 108bhp 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. In 2020 the sole diesel engine, a 94bhp 1.6-litre TDI, was also made unavailable, but the petrol engines still on sale will be best for the vast majority of buyers anyway.

Entry-level SE trim includes Bluetooth, DAB radio, air-conditioning and front electric windows, along with LED running lights, alloy wheels and an 8.25-inch colour infotainment screen that's a big upgrade from the 6.5-inch screen in the pre-facelift version of the car. Unlike rivals, you can also choose a metallic paint colour for no extra cost.

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SE Technology brings an even bigger and more vibrant 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, sat-nav and online features, and gets you more kit than the equivalent Ford Fiesta trim level. FR bundles 17-inch alloy wheels, sports seats and suspension, upgraded LED headlights, a driving mode selector and a bodykit, and FR Sport adds bigger wheels, SEAT's digital cockpit and suede upholstery. Top-spec Xcellence and Xcellence Lux specs boast features including dual-zone climate control, 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, and one that's definitely worthy of consideration.