SEAT Ibiza Review 2023
The SEAT Ibiza has long been a popular choice in the compact car segment, and the latest model lives up to its reputation with a blend of style, efficiency, and practicality.
Rivals to the SEAT Ibiza include the Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia and Ford Fiesta.
Our SEAT Ibiza review covers:
- Sporty yet elegant exterior with sleek lines and contoured edges
- Well-designed and comfortable cabin that’s well-crafted with quality of materials
- 355-litre boot, expanding to 1,165 litres with rear seats down
- Choice of three 1.0-litre petrol engines
- Six trim levels are available: SE, SE Technology, FR, Xcellence, FR Sport and Xcellence Lux
Pros:
- Stylish Design
- Interior Quality
- Handling and Manoeuvrability
Cons:
- Rear Legroom
- Boot Space
- Ride Comfort
The design of the new SEAT Ibiza is modern, dynamic, and attractive. It features sharp lines, sleek contours, and a bold front grille that gives it a sporty and aerodynamic appearance. The overall design is youthful and contemporary, appealing to a wide range of drivers. The LED headlights and taillights add a stylish touch while improving visibility. Inside, the design is well-thought-out, focusing on ergonomics and a driver-centric layout. Quality materials and attention to detail contribute to a premium feel.
The SEAT Ibiza is known for its practicality, making it a popular choice in the compact car segment. The compact dimensions of the car make it ideal for manoeuvring through city traffic and fitting into tight parking spaces. The cabin is well-designed to maximize space and usability. Ample storage compartments and practical features, such as cup holders, make daily use convenient. The seating configuration and foldable rear seats enhance versatility, allowing for various cargo and passenger arrangements to suit different needs.
The boot space in the SEAT Ibiza is competitive within its class. It offers a reasonable 355-litre boot, expanding to 1,165 litres with rear seats down, enabling the transportation of larger or bulkier items when needed. This flexibility enhances the practicality of the Ibiza, making it suitable for both everyday errands and longer trips where more storage might be required.
Following a series of updates, the interior of the Ibiza has become notably more inviting compared to its previous design. Instead of an overwhelming display of monotonous black and grey plastics, the dashboard now features a prominent metallic strip, even in the base models. Additionally, the air vent surrounds offer a variety of colour options.
A new soft-touch upper dash section has been introduced, adding a touch of sophistication. However, it's worth noting that certain areas, particularly the doors, still retain hard and less refined plastic elements. The higher-end models boast seat trim resembling Alcantara, providing a more upscale feel. The sports seats on the FR trims offer commendable support, although the absence of lumbar adjustment is a downside.
The entry-level model incorporates an 8.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, while all other models are equipped with a slightly larger 9.2-inch screen. Although the screen size difference is minimal, all variants feature smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing seamless use of preferred navigation and music applications while on the go. The touchscreen interface is notably user-friendly, yet incorporating physical buttons (similar to those in a Skoda Fabia) could further enhance ease of use, enabling quick access to essential features without diverting attention from the road.
Six trim levels are available: SE, SE Technology, FR, Xcellence, FR Sport and Xcellence Lux.
The SE trim stands out for its excellent value proposition, offering essential features like stylish alloy wheels, a 60:40 split rear seat, a colour infotainment system, and a leather steering wheel. However, DAB digital radio, sat nav, and phone mirroring are additional options.
Moving up to SE Technology Ibiza models brings an enhanced infotainment system, featuring an eight-inch touchscreen with integrated sat-nav. This trim level also includes 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, and LED rear lights.
For those seeking a sporty experience, the FR models within the Ibiza range are the go-to choice. They come equipped with stiffer suspension, larger alloy wheels, and more supportive front sports seats. The top-notch infotainment system with sat nav, DAB digital radio, and smartphone mirroring is a standard feature.
At the top of the line, the Xcellence versions offer luxury and sophistication. They share the upgraded infotainment system with FR models, featuring sat nav, digital radio, and smartphone mirroring. Additionally, Xcellence versions include Alcantara seat trim, keyless entry, and a rear-view camera as standard.
SEAT Ibiza FR Sport models share sporty aesthetics with FR cars, featuring a sporty rear bumper, tinted windows, and black-painted door mirrors. They add larger 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, a faux leather dashboard, and a digital driver’s display. The package also includes upgraded FR sports seats with height adjustment, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, lowered sports suspension, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice recognition, and a USB charging port for your phone.
Opting for the high-spec Xcellence Lux cars provides dual-zone climate control, chrome window surrounds, and LED headlights like Xcellence models. It further enhances the experience with larger 17-inch alloy wheels, leatherette dashboard trim, a digital driver’s display, height-adjustable front seats, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, and multi-coloured mood lighting. An 8.0-inch touchscreen with voice recognition is also standard in this top-tier model.
The SEAT Ibiza offers a selection of three 1.0-litre petrol engines. Among these, the 95hp petrol variant stands out for its efficiency, achieving an average of 45mpg in urban and highway conditions. While it maintains reasonable quietness at higher speeds, its power delivery is not as consistent across the rev range when compared to some competitors such as the Ford Fiesta.
Both the 80hp and 95hp Ibiza models are equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox, while the 110hp variant features a six-speed manual option. Additionally, there's a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic available for a slight extra cost, enhancing convenience, particularly during prolonged traffic congestion and extended journeys.
The SEAT Ibiza proves to be an excellent choice for city driving, despite being relatively larger for a supermini. The light steering is particularly advantageous for easy parking, and the overall visibility greatly assists in navigating challenging junctions.
However, the five-speed manual gearbox in the lower-powered models isn't optimal for highway driving. Consequently, it results in a bit more engine noise within the cabin and slightly diminished fuel efficiency. The 80hp model may struggle, especially with a full complement of passengers and luggage. On the other hand, the 95hp model adequately performs the task. The 110hp model offers more power on the highway and, with an additional gear, achieves better efficiency, making it the preferred choice for regular long-distance travel.
The new SEAT Ibiza is a solid choice in the compact car segment. Its attractive design, fuel efficiency, comfortable interior, and safety features make it a compelling option for individuals seeking a practical and stylish vehicle. Whether you're a daily commuter or enjoy weekend getaways, the Ibiza has the versatility to meet your needs.
The SEAT Ibiza is now available for purchase at a starting on-the-road price of £19,450.00*, or it can be leased with monthly payments starting from £139.02.
If you're considering leasing a SEAT Ibiza, we proudly offer excellent car leasing services in the UK. Our leasing deals include a manufacturer's warranty, road tax, breakdown insurance, and free delivery to most areas of the UK mainland (excluding specific regions).
Leasing a SEAT Ibiza can often be a more financially advantageous option compared to purchasing outright, thanks to the fixed monthly payments, variable mileage options, low initial rental, and flexible contract durations.
It's important to note that the 'on-the-road' price mentioned includes a year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee, and a number plate fee. Please be aware that this price is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. To get the most up-to-date information, we recommend contacting your nearest retailer.
