Review: SEAT Ibiza (2017)

SEAT Ibiza (2017): At A Glance

• New prices start from £17,440, brokers can source from £12,325
• Contract hire deals from £147.80 per month
• Insurance Groups are between 11–17
• On average it achieves 79% of the official MPG figure

SEAT Ibiza (2017): What's It Like Inside?

• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

Dimensions
Length	4059 mm
Width	1780–1942 mm
Height	1444 mm
Wheelbase	2564 mm
Full specifications

The interior of the Ibiza is surprisingly spacious, with the high roof line providing plenty of space for four adults to fit in comfort. Low-spec models feature grey cloth seats, which are a little drab in appearance, but are extremely comfortable, with plenty of cushioning for lower support.

The driver's seat has plenty of height-adjustment and the view of the road is good, with the wide windscreen and large side windows covering most angles. The door mirrors, while stylish, are on the small side and this can occasionally make it difficult to spot passing cars on the motorway or a cyclist in town.

There is no shortage of storage: the door pockets in the front and back are deep enough to hold maps and small water bottles. There are also two cup holders in the front and a useful pocket for a mobile phone in the centre console. All cars get a Bluetooth handsfree system, which can be paired up within a matter of seconds. 

Almost all versions of the Ibiza get 60/40 spilt folding rear seats and the 355-litre boot is one of the largest of any car in its class. Maximising the boot space is simple, with the wide opening making it easy to fit the weekly shop or a pushchair in. A double floor and luggage net are available as optional extras. 

The clean and minimalist dashboard has just a few dials for the ventilation, while all cars get a touchscreen for the radio and in-car settings. Air con is standard across the range, but the heating takes quite a while to get going, which means you'll be waiting a good 10 minutes for hot air to appear in the winter. 

The SEAT Ibiza has four trim levels - S, SE, FR and a high spec Xcellence model. Entry-level models are the most-sparsely equipped, with 15-inch steel wheels, halogen daytime running lights and plastic door handles and mirrors. 

SE models gain LED daytime running lights, body coloured door mirrors and alloy wheels, along with a leather steering wheel, front fog lights and LED taillights. To get DAB audio, electric door mirrors and touchscreen navigation will all cost extra, unless you spec up to FR trim. 

For now, the FR is the sporty model (a Cupra will follow in time) and features a rear diffuser, streamlined bumpers and an exterior black pack, plus sport suspension. 

Specifications (from November 2017)

S is the basic trim level and includes 15-inch steel wheels, a 5.0-inch touchscreen with black and white display, USB socket, AUX input, steering wheel mounted controls, Bluetooth, four-speaker audio, electric front windows, auto headlights, air conditioning, hill hold assist, front assist (auto emergency brakes), and hill hold assist.

SE gains 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, LED day time running lights, LED tail lights, body colour door mirrors and door handles, chrome front grille, colour 5.0-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio, leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, 60/40 split fold rear seats.

SE Technology adds Media System Plus with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, voice control, an extra USB socket and navigation.

FR gains 17-inch alloy wheels, FR interior and exterior styling, DAB radio, Full Link (MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), selectable drive modes, auto wipers and cruise control.

Xcellence gains (over SE Technology) 16-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, DAB radio, Full Link (MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), selectable drive modes, auto wipers, keyless entry and start, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, black alcantara and artificial leather seats, cruise control and auto dimming rear view mirror.

What's the SEAT Ibiza (2017) like to drive?

• Engines range from 1.0 MPI 75 to 1.6 TDI 95
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 35–60 mpg

The Ibiza isn't a car that likes to be rushed along, but what it lacks in fun it more than makes up for with comfort and refinement. Indeed, with the turbocharged 1.0 TSI petrol engine, the Ibiza is one of the most relaxing small cars you can drive. 

The engine line-up span three petrols and one diesel, with the entry-level three-cylinder 1.0 MPI engine being the weakest. Indeed, with just 75PS, the non-turbocharged petrol is painfully slow, propelling the Ibiza from 0-62mph in a lumbering 15 seconds. The turbocharged 1.0 TSI is far superior, with more low gear pull and lower running costs. Both the 95PS and 115PS version of the 1.0 TSI will return an advertised 60.1mpg, compared to the MPI's 57.6mpg. 

The Ibiza can also be specified with the 150PS 1.5 TSI Evo petrol engine - as seen in the Golf. The four-cylinder petrol has a significant power boost, with more torque available from lower down the rev range. The 1.5 is limited to FR models only and claimed economy ranks at 57.6mpg.

The most-efficient powertrain is the 1.6 TDI. The four-cylinder diesel produces 80PS or 95PS - depending on which trim level you choose - and claimed economy peaks at 74.3mpg. However, most buyers are expected to opt for petrol in the Ibiza. 

Depending on which engine and trim level you choose, the Ibiza gets a five-speed or six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed dual-clutch DSG-auto gearbox is available as a payable option, but the smooth manual 'boxes do a sufficient job, which means we'd recommend sticking with the manuals unless your preference (or driving licence) demands otherwise. 

On the road, the handling is safe and soft, with the light steering making it easy to perform tight turns or guide the Ibiza into a narrow parking space. The small door mirrors do hinder visibility a little at the sides, but overall vision is generally fine thanks to the large windscreen and side windows. 

Ride comfort is excellent, even on large wheels, with the suspension ironing out speed bumps and potholes into a soft yet composed thud. However, the overassisted steering limits the Ibiza's ability to cut its way through a series of challenging corners. For sure, the wheel is accurate enough to provide safe handling at 50-60mph on country roads, but the lack of feel can make it difficult to judge grip - though FR trim improves things appreciably.

On the motorway the Ibiza feels like a much larger car, with minimal buffering from side winds, while the 1.0 TSI engine excels at 70mph with smooth acceleration and almost no noise at all, aside from a barely audible low-pitched buzz.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO2
1.0 MPI 75	58 mpg	14.7 s	112 g/km
1.0 MPI 80	-	14.7 s	112 g/km
1.0 TSI 115	57–60 mpg	9.3 s	108–113 g/km
1.0 TSI 115 DSG	58–60 mpg	9.5 s	108–112 g/km
1.0 TSI 95	60–61 mpg	10.9 s	105–106 g/km
1.5 TSI 150	58 mpg	-	111–112 g/km
1.6 TDI 80	74 mpg	7.5–8.6 s	99 g/km
1.6 TDI 95	74 mpg	11.3 s	100 g/km

Real MPG average for a SEAT Ibiza (2017)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

What have we been asked about the SEAT Ibiza (2017)?

Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.