SEAT Ibiza - Engines, performance and drive
With a punchy three-cylinder TSI engine and a sweet, balanced chassis, the SEAT Ibiza offers plenty of character
The SEAT Ibiza engine range is now centred around a 1.0-litre TSI, three-cylinder petrol engine offering two different power outputs. The three-pot suits the car well, which is fortunate because the 1.5 TSI four-cylinder powerplant, which gave the car a bit of added zip, is no longer available. It’s a shame there’s no hot hatch Cupra-badged model to rival the Volkswagen Polo GTI, especially because there’s no more Hyundai i20 N or Ford Fiesta ST to battle against.
You'll notice a characteristic three-cylinder thrum under acceleration, although at cruising speeds the engine is almost entirely inaudible and smooth. The 114bhp TSI is a great all-rounder, and we think it's the best bet if you're going to be regularly carrying passengers or luggage.
Handling is strong, with the Ibiza feeling much like a down-sized Leon from behind the wheel. There's very little body roll, and while the ride is firm it isn't uncomfortable, although bigger wheels do result in a touch more road noise and vibration. The brakes are strong and inspire confidence.
The six-speed manual is pretty good and certainly more precise than the gearshift action you get from Stellantis-group cars such as the Vauxhall Corsa. If you need an auto, a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto is available on the 114bhp 1.0-litre car for around an extra £1,100.
0-62mph acceleration and top speed
With the demise of the painfully slow non-turbo MPI engine, it’s the 94bhp (named 95PS) turbo model capable of a 0-62mph time of 10.9 seconds that kicks off the range. It offers decent in-gear acceleration while feeling brisk enough away from standstill, too.
The higher-powered 114bhp (115PS) DSG car will sprint from 0-62mph in a reasonable 10.3 seconds – helped by its 200Nm of available torque from 2,000rpm, and it feels better suited to motorway driving.
Which Is Best
