The Ibiza is one of Seat’s strongest contenders and even has a presence in the British market. This vehicle comes in three kinds of body designs: the three-door hatch, the estate, and the traditionally shaped five-door model. The 1.2 TSI, 1.2-litre, the 1.4 TSI and the 1.4-litre engines in the Ibiza are the same as the ones found in the VW Polo. There’s also the 1.2-litre diesel engine known for its fuel economy and is included in the Ibiza’s Ecomotive model. All three body designs offer the 1.6-litre at 104bhp as the mid-range option.

Pros

The Ibiza’s design came from the brains of Luc Donckerwolke, who used to work for Lamborghini. With such a mind on board, the Ibiza was meant to introduce Seat’s new direction. This brand new look and branding is introduced through several dynamic design elements. First there’s the headlights and low grill that come together to show more aggression on the car’s front end. The sharper edges on these parts give the Ibiza more tension compared to the Seat’s other monobox shaped vehicles. Buyers can add on to the front by getting the adaptive bi-xenons that include daytime running lights.

The Cupra Ibiza comes with a Bocanegra styling pack that adds more cult appeal via a blacked-out nose. This is a suitable addition to anyone who appreciated the polarised design of the standard Ibiza. You can also add a tinted sunroof so that the interior for added ambience and dramatic styling. The black styling cues within the Ibiza can be complemented through the bright colors of the the side glass and rear windscreen’s heavy tint.

The interior also boasts of a fit and smoothly finished trim. The steering wheel sports four different textures that manufacturers refer to as a technical grain. Apart from a well-done design, the cabin’s different functions are laid out well for easy use. The TomTom navigation system is found on the dash, while the portable music player can be plugged into one of two auxiliary ports. Cabin space is also accommodating enough given the Ibiza is a 4 meter long supermini.  Up front, the driver’s seat can be adjusted according to any angle and even the steering wheel is rake-adjustable. Four adults can fit in the rear area. The Cupra features the high-end upgrades to the entry-level Ibiza design: from aluminum pedals, larger sports seats, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel, to wheel-mounted paddles. The Cupra cabin also boasts of minimalist switchgear, a wide seat adjustment range, and an overall solid feel to the build quality.

Cons

Although the Ibiza offers an impressive engine range, we recommend staying away from the 1.2-litre petrol engines. It’s smarter to spend the extra on the alternatives; even the 1.2 TSI charges far too high given its average performance. You should also avoid the 1.4TSI at 148bhp as it’s only available as an auto box. The smartest choice would be the 1.2-litre diesel engine, particularly its Ecomotive range. The only downside to this fuel efficient model is its 62mph sprint takes 14 seconds. If you want something faster but still a diesel, you can get a compromise with the 1.6 TDI.

The SEAT Ibiza is considered Spanish manufacturer’s most popular car. Produced since 1984, the Ibiza has been built using Italdesign, Karmann and Porsche designs and later using Volkswagen Group’s platforms. All four generations have been consistent bestsellers among SEAT’s lines.

The Ibiza was first introduced at the 1984 Paris Motor Show as a supermini. This version, originally designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro for Volkswagen Golf, was based on the SEAT Ronda and Fiat Ritmo. In 1991 under Volkswagen management, the Ibiza received a facelift and was marketed as New style. A rebadged Chinese version was sold beginning 2003.

In 1993, the second generation Ibiza was released with a new VW A03 platform. The saloon and coupe variants were renamed the SEAT Cordoba, and the estate the Cordoba Vario. A minor facelift in 1996 introduced smoother bumpers, grilles and new trim levels. Another facelift in 1999 brought new styling changes, turning the Ibiza into a sporty and upscale brand placed above VW’s newly acquired Skoda Auto models. An Ibiza hot hatch was introduced into the line around the period.

The third generation released in 2002 featured a restyling by Walter de Silva. The current generation Ibiza Mk4 was designed by Luc Donckerwolke, and carries a distinctly new look. It is the first VW model to use the VW Group PQ25 platform.