SEAT Ibiza ST estate (2008-2016) - Practicality & boot space

Although it looks like SEAT has just bolted a bigger boot on to the back of the standard Ibiza hatchback, it’s actually easier to climb into the back seats of the Ibiza ST as well, as its rear doors are 15mm longer than the hatchbacks. The boot’s capacity isn’t class-leading, but it offers useful extra space for smaller families.

SEAT Ibiza ST interior space & storage

While the ST’s sloping roof may look good from outside, it also reduces the amount of headroom for passengers in the back, which is already a bit cramped thanks to the ST being the shortest car in its class. Adults may not relish longer journeys squeezed into the rear seats. On the plus side, there are decent-sized door bins, a large glovebox, a central storage space between the front two seats and two cup-holders.

Boot space

Even though the ST estate offers the most boot space in the Ibiza range, it lags behind class leaders such as the Skoda Fabia estate, which has an extra 50 litres of luggage capacity. With its standard 60:40 split-folding rear seats still in place, the Ibiza offers 430 litres of space and with the back seats folded down that expands to 1,164 litres. Also, the seats don’t lie completely flat, so loading long objects isn’t as easy as it could be. Once you’re loaded up, though, you’ll be glad to find the ST’s suspension has been altered, so extra weight in the boot doesn’t affect its ride comfort or handling.

Towing

All the Ibiza ST models are capable of towing a maximum braked weight of 1,000kg, apart from the top-spec petrol FR model and the 1.6-litre diesel versions, which can tow up to 1,200kg.