2015 Seat Ibiza 1.0 75PS SE first drive

7

Updated Ibiza gets a much-needed interior refresh, chassis tweaks and new options, and proves worthy of consideration

Matt Burt
Matt Burt
10 November 2015

What is it?

This is a revamped version of one of the most important models in the Seat range, the Seat Ibiza hatchback.

The key update for the current generation of Ibiza, which was launched in 2008, is a substantially redesigned interior. It has, in effect, adopted the look of the more recent Seat Leon, featuring a new steering wheel, smarter instrumentation and better materials throughout. 

Seat has also worked to improve the Ibiza's road manners, by retuning the suspension and steering, while updates to the engine range offer increases in efficiency.

Externally, little has changed, barring the addition of LED daytime running lights. There is now a choice of six exterior colour packs, as well as new paint and alloy wheel options.

Related Seat Ibiza 2008-2017 reviews

Equipment upgrades are more prominent. Buyers can now choose from a new range of upgrades, including a 6.5in sat-nav system and Seat's 'Full Link' system, which adds Apple Car Play, Android Auto and Mirror Link connectivity. Given the increasing demand for more advanced equipment, even in less costly cars, it's a sensible move.

We tested a mid-spec SE version of the Seat Ibiza, with the entry-level 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. Standard kit for the SE is comprehensive, including a DAB radio, air-con, electric heated mirrors, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, a 5.0in touchscreen media system, a trip computer and tyre pressure monitoring.

What's it like?

The Seat Ibiza has always been a pleasant car to drive, even in lesser trims and in lower-output forms, and this remains unchanged with the facelifted version. At lower speeds its steering is light, precise and fast-acting, making manoeuvring and around-town driving effortless.

The steering lacks the additional weighting that you might expect in faster, tighter corners, though, and can feel a little numb, despite the revisions. You can lean on the front end heavily, to the point where the tyres are audibly protesting, and the steering weight and feel will remain relatively unchanged. Not on a par with the fabled Ford Fiesta in terms of engagement, then.

However, there's just enough inherent weight to the wheel to maintain suitable poise and confidence in bends. There's adequate grip at sensible speeds, and the Ibiza corners in a relatively eager manner. This is partly due to the fact that the Seat clocks the scales at a relatively svelte 1043kg, at the kerb, aiding the hatch's agility.

The car's structure also feels satisfyingly stiff; there’s no shudder over bumps, nor any creaks or rattles when pushed harder. This allows the suspension to do its job properly and, although firm, the Ibiza rides in a composed and comfortable fashion. It doesn't protest when flung around and feels assured while doing so, resulting in a car that's hassle-free and mildly rewarding to drive at higher speeds across country. 

Even though it's powered by a small, naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, performance is adequate. The 1.0-litre triple pulls willingly through the gears, all the way to a soft limiter at around 6700rpm. It even makes an endearing growl towards the top end of its rev range but is otherwise quiet and relatively vibration-free.

The 0-62mph sprint takes a pedestrian 14.3sec, but you never feel like too much of an obstruction. Throttle response is swift enough, traction isn't a problem, and the clutch and brake action is easily judged.

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Obviously the engine lacks mid-range urge compared with forced-induction or larger-displacement alternatives, but provided you pick an appropriate gear, it rarely frustrates. In third and fourth around town, there’s enough in-gear pull to avoid overly frequent gearchanges.

Loaded up, the engine doesn’t labour excessively, either; it simply soldiers on until the revs being to climb. Those regularly attacking motorways, however, would be far better off with one a more powerful option. 

A short-throw but slightly notchy five-speed manual gearbox serves up a sensible spread of ratios, but following some shifts you’ll hear the odd clunk and rattle as the linkages shift around. This slight shortage of mechanical refinement takes the edge off what feels like an otherwise neatly engineered car. 

Seat claims combined fuel economy of 54.3mpg, which theoretically grants a range of more than 530 miles. We averaged a lesser 36.0mpg during our test but, given that our route involved a lot of fast cross-country driving, the lower figure doesn't come as a surprise. That still means a full tank will permit a 350-mile drive before refuelling - fine for a small hatch.

At speed, there is some road and wind noise, particularly from around the front pillars, but the Ibiza feels more than refined enough to undertake long trips without becoming an annoyance. Rougher surfaces do project more road noise into the cabin, however, but that’s par for the course.

Inside, the new dash, while hardly a dramatic visual feast, is smart and clear. It’s made of a much softer material and is pleasing to the touch, as are most of the other key points – the wheel, gearlever and handbrake. The gauges are big and easy to read at a glance, and the speedo features 10mph divisions.

All of the controls are conveniently sited and easy to interpret, while the switchgear has the solid, slick-acting feel you’d expect of a Volkswagen Group product. No doubt many will approve of the standard mechanical handbrake, too.

The front seats are comfortable and there’s plenty of room, while the steering column adjusts for both height and reach. This makes it easy to find a good driving position. You do sit quite high and upright, though, so taller drivers will find themselves looking primarily through the top portion of the screen. It doesn’t detract from forward visibility, though.

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That said, the clutch footrest is tucked away and shrouded by the pedal. It’s not particularly comfortable or easy to get your foot onto, particularly if you’re wearing more substantial footwear.

Visibility is, on the other hand, very good, thanks to lots of glass and decently sized rear-view mirrors. You won’t struggle for storage, either, with two cupholders, large door bins and a fairly big glovebox.

Seat's standard 5in media system is the same as you'll find in a Polo or Fabia and works well. You'll have to pay an extra £240 or the slicker, more modern 6.5in media system, however, and a further £145 for Full Link support. It's a worthwhile addition, though, as it's a far easier way of accessing the content and extra functions on your phone.

In the back, there’s just enough room for two 6ft-tall passengers, even with a taller driver up front. There is seating for three, if you need it, but it’s really just for children at that point. It’s quite comfortable in the back, otherwise, with a decent view and enough room to avoid feeling hemmed in. The seats are quite firm, however, like those up front.

The boot is usefully big, at a Fiesta-rivalling 292 litres, and the rear seats split and fold should you need more room. You don’t get a space-saver spare as standard, though, but one is available for £100.

All in, the Ibiza is a practical and smart hatchback. The dash, in particular, is far more cleanly styled than that of the Ford Fiesta. Many buyers will also appreciate the wide range of options, including cruise control and sat-nav.

Should I buy one?

This particular version of the Seat Ibiza is a competent, well-designed and pleasant car to drive, and the updates make it a more appealing prospect than it was before. It doesn't feel like it was launched several years ago, either, which is no mean feat.

It also remains, as with Ibizas of old, comparatively good value. A list price of £13,025 may sound expensive, particularly for a small naturally aspirated hatch, but it's a similar price to any of the commonly suggested mainstream alternatives.

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You do get a good amount of kit in the Seat, adding to its appeal, plus that stout build quality and feel many may look for. That said, you could get a similarly specified Suzuki Swift or Hyundai i20 for less, but there would be trade-offs on various fronts, such as refinement.

However, fitted with this engine, the Seat is a car that's best suited primarily to around-town work. It's more than capable of undertaking the odd motorway trip or cross-country jaunt, but if you're regularly entertaining higher speeds then we'd recommend opting for the 1.0 EcoTSI 95 version of the Ibiza instead.

Furthermore, the turbocharged 101bhp three-cylinder version completes the 0-62mph sprint in a more tolerable 10.4sec, and its higher 118lb ft of torque grants it significantly better in-gear flexibility. It'll probably prove more economical, too, and it isn't that much more expensive to buy, commanding a premium of £950 over the naturally aspirated alternative tested here.

2015 Seat Ibiza 1.0 75PS SE

Location Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire; On sale Now; Price £13,025; Engine 3 cyls, 999cc, petrol; Power 74bhp at 6200rpm; Torque 70lb ft at 3000rpm; Kerb weight 1043kg; Gearbox 5-spd manual; 0-62mph 14.3sec; Top speed 107mph; Economy 54.3mpg (combined); CO2/tax band 118g/km, 18%
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Comments
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Mikey C 12 November 2015

The VW Group's Superminis

The VW Group's Superminis seem weirdly out of sync with each other.

The Fabia Mk2 from 2007 was replaced by a brand new Mk3 model in 2014 after 7 years, partially using the MQB platform, yet the Ibiza from 2008 just gets a facelift in 2015 after 7 years?

gazza5 11 November 2015

price

You would never buy this car for £14k, I would expect at least this car to be in the region of £12k tops possibly even £11k.

Makes sense to move up the range a bit like others have stated. the 1.2 tsi is a very good engine (imho)

scotty5 11 November 2015

The Stig

36mpg from a 1.0 75ps engine? I'd expect more than that driving around Brands Hatch.
Lewis Kingston 11 November 2015

RE: Low economy

Morning scotty5. That's the toll that stop-start driving, and repeated acceleration from 30mph to 60mph, takes on the overall economy figure. When you're up to a relaxed cruising speed the three-cylinder engine is relatively frugal but getting there at a sensible rate requires that you work it hard, which brings the consumption down. The same engine in the lighter Volkswagen Up averaged 41.8mpg during What Car?'s True MPG testing, for reference.

scotty5 11 November 2015

Sensible rate?

I suppose sensible rate depends on who's behind the wheel. What Car's True MPG has never come near to the figures I see in various cars however there is one site - HonestJohn, who's avg MPG figures are almost bang on with every car I've owned over the past 20 years. I know lots of folk who think likewise. According to HJ, VW Polo with that engine returns 51mpg, the Skoda Fabia slightly less. I've only ever driven the Polo 60ps version and that car returned just under 50mpg and that's driving perfectly normal. (keeping up with other road users) I'd have expected the extra 15ps power to actually improve on that figure. But 36mpg! And What Car's 41.8mpg for the UP - OMG. Perhaps you can find a driving school who'll give Haymarket a group discount. (ha ha) Cheers for the reply Lewis - appreciated.
si73 12 November 2015

fuel economy

@Scotty5 we have recently bought a mii by Mango with that engine and better what cars figures getting 48-51 mpg, and driving the 60 and 75 hp versions back to back when test driving showed very little difference on the road to how they performed, the mango is only available with the 75 version, I would expect it to be fine in the ibiza, after all up until very recently 1.4 petrol cars from the class up have been producing around 75 hp.