It’s remarkable just how many manufacturers still bang on about the need to attract younger customers. Maybe it’s time they realised cars are expensive and young people don’t have any money. With a starting price of £20,995, the Seat Ibiza is one of the few affordable and more entertaining options. Given it has always been one of the sharper looking superminis, Seat decided a subtle nip and a tuck were all that were required to keep it looking youthful for the 2026 season. Consequently, the latest exterior changes don’t stretch much beyond a new hexagonal grille and bumper design, slimmer LED headlights, and a fresh set of alloys.
Performance and drive
Blessed with such athletic looks, you might have thought a hot Cupra version would be a natural range topper. Dream on. There are rumors of mildly electrified versions to come, but as things stand, the toastiest option is a 1.0-litre, 115hp three-cylinder powerplant. If you think that’s weedy, then you’re not going to be impressed by the cooking models which make do with detuned versions of the same engine. Not that you need heaps of power to have a giggle in an Ibiza. Although you’re never in any doubt that you’re driving an engine that’s not quite the full shilling, and there’s no escaping the inherent vibrations and distinctive exhaust note, it’s not all bad. Granted, even the 115hp version is not a particularly strong performer at lower rpms, but give the sweet-shifting manual a meaningful stir, ramp up the revs to bursting point, and things get surprisingly spicy.
You could even argue the engine is perfectly suited to the Ibiza’s feisty chassis agility. Yes, the ride is a wee bit on the punchy side in the firmer FR versions, which are fitted with stiffer, lowered suspension and 18in alloys, but the impressive body control, sharp, connected steering, and excellent front-end bite in twisty corners will have you grinning like a cat from the Manchester area. If you spend more of your life sitting in traffic, you can always ditch the manual in favour of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Not only does this remove the strain from your left calf, but it also acts like a vibration damper, helping to reduce engine shake.
Interior and technology
The Ibiza’s driving position will certainly have a positive effect on your wellbeing thanks to a generous amount of adjustment for the steering wheel and the driver’s seat. If you stretch to the FR equipment grade, you’ll also get a pair of neat looking sports seats.
In keeping with the exterior tweaks, changes inside have been kept to a minimum. Consequently, all the major controls you come in contact with are still sweetly weighted and work with neat precision. Additionally, although everything surrounding you doesn’t look particularly premium it does feels reassuringly well screwed together. Although the dashboard appears a wee bit dated compared to more contemporary layouts, it still has a refreshingly straightforward usability, including the traditional looking bullseye air vents and a new but still modestly sized infotainment touchscreen. A separate panel beneath the touchscreen also provides immediate access to the rotary climate controls, so on frosty morning it’s a simple wrist twist to summon up max temp and off you go.
For a supermini, interior space is excellent, with generous leg, head and elbow room for two adults in the front and space left over for another couple behind.
The boot is a reasonable size too, at 355 litres, so you shouldn’t have too many problems packing a baby buggy and a couple of weekend away cases.
With so many showrooms stuffed with insanely expensive motors, more often than not with about as much character as a spin dryer, we should all be grateful affordable, fun-to-drive cars like the Ibiza still exist.
Standard equipment: 16in alloy wheels, air conditioning, electrically adjustable door mirrors, electric front and rear windows, Rear parking sensors, DAB, Bluetooth audio streaming with handsfree system, USB type-C sockets, wireless Apple Carplay, Android Auto with USB Type-C cable for Apple and Android devices, 8.25in infotainment touchscreen, split folding rear seats (60/40), attention and drowsiness assist, proactive pedestrian and cyclist protection, lane keep assist, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, dynamic road sign display, electronic stability control.
Engines: Petrol: 95hp 1.0, 115hp 1.0
Equipment grades: SE, SE Technology, FR Sport
Transmissions: Six-speed manual, seven-speed automatic
| Model | Seat Ibiza FR 1.0 TSI 115 DSG Auto7 |
| P11D | £25,340 |
| Residual value | TBC |
| Depreciation | TBC |
| Fuel | TBC |
| Service, maintenance and repair | TBC |
| Cost per mile | TBC |
| Fuel consumption | 40.1mpg |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 131g/km (32%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £135/£270 |
| Luggage capacity | 355 litres |
| Engine size/power | 999cc/115hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
