SEAT Ibiza (2008 – 2017) Review

SEAT’s Ibiza found top form when this generation was launched in 2008 in hatch, SC three-door and estate forms. Straight away, the Spaniard put itself into contention with the very best the supermini class had to offer at the time in the shape of the Ford Fiesta and the Ibiza’s cousin, the Volkswagen Polo. It might not have found quite as many buyers as these two class leaders, but the Ibiza was more than good enough to tempt plenty with its mix of fun driving manners, frugal engines and roomy cabins. All this and it was well equipped too.

SEAT made a great job of the Ibiza launched in 2008 to push itself right into the heart of the supermini eco-system. Using the Volkswagen Polo as a base was always going to be a brilliant place to start and SEAT built on this by divvying up the Ibiza into three distinct lines under the same umbrella.

These three versions consisted of the SC coupe-like three-door hatch, a roomy ST estate and the five-door hatch. It’s the hatch that was the mainstay of the range to take on the might of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa.

While the Ibiza’s sales figures were not quite in the same league as these two giants of the small car market, it was the best-selling model in the SEAT range. It’s easy to see why when you consider you had the underpinnings of a Polo at a keener price. It’s much the same story with this Ibiza in the used market.

The Ibiza is also well equipped and has some of the lowest running costs in its sector, especially if you opt for the Ecomotive model that delivers 92g/km CO2 emissions and 80.7mpg combined economy. Even by today’s standards, this model makes for cost-effective ownership.

As well as its financial appeal, the Ibiza scores with its crisp styling that helps it stand out from the crowd in a busy car park. SEAT is also not shy when it comes to offering diversity in the trim line-up, though the five-door model foregoes the most rapid Cupra edition that took on the Fiesta ST, Renault Clio RS and Vauxhall Corsa VXR.

Inside, it’s a good place to spend any journey, though those travelling in the back may find space a little cramped. Even so, the SEAT Ibiza is a handsome and able hatch with a wide choice of engines, trims and well judged pricing that should see it on most buyers’ shortlists.

SEAT launched the revised Ibiza in mid-2012 and it's available with a new Portable Media System with a touchscreen display that includes a navigation system, on-board computer and Bluetooth. It is fully integrated with the Ibiza's electronics and is also removable for using on the move.

On top of all this, the SEAT Ibiza is also one of the better cars in its class to drive. From the start, it always felt a little more taut and livelier that the Polo with which it shared so many of its raw components. The Spanish firm seemed to have the knack of making the Ibiza more fun to drive while also introducing better ride control to give it a small but significant comfort advantage over its German cousin.

This makes the 2008-2017 Ibiza a very sound choice now for anyone looking for a comfortable, affordable and good looking supermini.

Allied to this is a seat that adjusts for height, so all together it’s very easy to find the right seating position no matter how tall you are.

SEAT also finds a good amount of room for the front occupants’ heads and shoulders, so you don’t feel like you’re stuffed into a small car. The driver gets good vision in every direction, even over the left shoulder to make it easier to place the Ibiza when nipping through town traffic and change lane on the motorway.

Children won’t have a problem with rear seat space and there’s a pair of Isofix child seat mounts attach kiddy chairs rigidly in place. With the rear seats in use, the SEAT Ibiza hatch offers a more than decent 292-litres of luggage space in the boot.

There may be quite a few different textures and finishes used for the SEAT Ibiza’s plastics, but they are solid and firmly fixed in place, so there are not the squeaks and creaks that can mar some of the Ibiza’s rivals’ cabins.

It’s a shame the same concise and clear design is not applied to the ventilation controls. They are logical enough to use thanks to clear markings, but the identically-sized small buttons arranged around the digital display means you have to take your eyes off the road for that split second longer than in some of the SEAT’s rivals with more intuitive rotary dials.

The Ibiza Toca came with SEAT’s Portable System from 2013 which was a removable and lightweight screen that clipped into a docking station on top of the dash. In this central position, it was easy to see and read, if not the easiest to reach for the driver.

Using the Portable System is easy and it comes with Bluetooth, satellite navigation and audio streaming. There’s also a microSD card slot for music, trip computer and a 5-inch screen. The 

Technology trims improved this with a 6.5-inch touchscreen with nav and better phone integration, though most buyers will find their smartphone is a better bet now.

Early examples of the SEAT Ibiza five-door hatch can be found in good condition and with reasonable miles on the clock from £1800.

An early three-door SC model in SE spec with the 1.4-litre petrol engine and 80,000 miles to its name will cost from £2500. Choose a five-door instead and you’ll pay exactly the same but have greater choice with the much more numerous hatch. Opt for the estate and it will require a further £500 as prices begin about the £3000 mark.

Move forward to a revised Ibiza from 2012 and there’s a wide choice in SE trim from £4000. That’s for a five-door hatch or SC, while the estate version again commands a small premium of around £500.

The better equipped Toca model with the 1.4-litre petrol engine and £4500 will bag you a six-year old car with 50,000 miles on the dials. We’re also fans of the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, so £4000 seems fair value for a seven-year old model in five-door hatch form. That will get you an SE model.

Or you could choose a later car from towards the end of this Ibiza’s production life. Take this route and there’s a big selection at the £8000 upper budget you’ll need. These cars will come with the Technology pack and be very well equipped whether you opt for a petrol or diesel engine.

The SEAT Ibiza 1.2 TDI Ecomotive claimed a combined consumption of 80.7mpg, though Real MPG figures show it achieves 62.7mpg in mixed driving.

Best of the petrols is the 1.0 TSI with 95PS that has a claimed economy of 67.3mpg, which comes out at 55.0mpg in Real MPG calculations.

A SEAT Ibiza with the 70PS 1.2 petrol sits in a very low group 3 for insurance. Our preferred 1.2 TSI SE model attracts a group 12 banding.

The most expensive five-door hatch to get cover for is, unsurprisingly, the quickest in the shape of the 1.4 TSI 150 in FR Technology trim. It sits in group 24.

The very last of this generation of SEAT Ibiza registered from 1 April 2017 will pay a flat rate of £150 per year for road tax. Cars registered prior to this vary more, from the free road tax for the 1.0 Eco TSI 95PS petrol and 1.2 TDI Ecomotive turbodiesel thanks to their sub-100g/km carbon dioxide emissions to the high of the 1.6-litre petrol that emits 149g/km to cost you £165 each year.

For the 1.2 TSI 105 that is a popular choice, it produces 119g/km to come in with a yearly Vehicle Excise Duty tariff of £30.

It strikes a very happy middle ground that feels agile in the corners yet to smooch along barbed road surfaces with composure.

On quicker roads, the Ibiza is not upset by crosswinds. Around town, it weaves through traffic easily thanks to its direct steering and tight turning circle.

Some might find the Ibiza is not quite as engaging to drive as a Ford Fiesta, but then SEAT addressed this in the hatch with the sportier FR model. It comes with larger alloy wheels, which do not upset the ride while adding to its cornering ability. In many ways, the FR is a better resolved sporting model than the SC Cupra which has a much harder ride.

As for stopping power, the Ibiza has strong brakes with ABS anti-locking as standard on all models.

SEAT was nothing if not comprehensive in its engine line-up with this third generation Ibiza. There’s the 70PS 1.2-litre petrol and a 75PS 1.0-litre motor that are both short on puff. A 1.4-litre petrol with 85PS and 1.6-litre with 102PS, are okay but have high emissions.

Most Ibiza drivers are better served by the excellent 105PS 1.2 TSI that arrived in early 2012 with five-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Alternatively, you could have the 1.0 EcoTSI engine in 95- and 110PS outputs.

There is also a 60PS non-turbo 1.2 petrol engine or you could have a 1.4 TSI with turbo and supercharging to give 150PS in the FR model.

SEAT offered the 80PS 1.4 TDi turbodiesel, but much better is the 105PS 1.6 TDI that pitched up in mid-2009. Even better yet is the three-cylinder 1.4-litre that arrived at the same time. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel was a slow seller.

The SEAT Ibiza gained a five-star Euro NCAP at its launch. Every Ibiza comes with twin front and side airbags as standard, but additional curtain airbags had to be selected from the options list. However, every model has ESC traction and stability control. Every occupant gets a three-point seat belt and there are Isofix child seat mounts.

In 2015, SEAT added Multi-Collision Brake that helped to slow the car safely after an impact. It also added Tiredness Recognition to spot if the driver was beginning to feel drowsy and flash up a warning to pull in and have a rest.

The SEAT Ibiza started with the S that has electric front windows, CD stereo with MP3 connection and aux-in socket.

The SE improved with electrically adjusted and heated door mirrors, electric rear windows, cruise control, air conditioning, and 15-inch alloy wheels. Sport models came with 16-inch alloys, sports suspension, and sports front seats.

There was also the option of a Convenience Pack with rear parking sensors, automatic wipers, Hill Hold Control, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Ecomotive models have low rolling-resistance tyres, closed front grille, revised rear spoiler, and a puncture repair kit in place of the spare wheel.

In 2011, SEAT introduced the Copa trim with cruise control, uprated CD stereo and electric windows all round. The FR has climate control and 17-inch alloy wheels, while Toca models gain the Portable System infotainment with5-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, Bluetooth and audio streaming. In mid-2014, SEAT added the I-TECH with 16-inch alloy wheels and dark blue cloth and leather upholstery.