SEAT Ibiza FR 2024
By Ian Strachan.
I’ve just driven a new car with a proper handbrake, a conventional gearstick and you start it by turning a key. And you know what? I liked it.
There’s something old-fashioned but reassuring about a car that doesn’t hide the start button behind the steering wheel, and as for the park brake – that could be anywhere. And did you put it on or not?
The SEAT Ibiza has been around for some 35 years. But SEAT has always managed to keep it fresh. It may be conventional in many ways but the Ibiza remains a dynamic, comfortable and reliable little car.
I test drove the Seat Ibiza FR 1.0 TSI which has all the advantages of a brisk little coupe, but with money-spinning economy.
It has good looks, more-than-adequate performance, a smooth ride, good handling, a quiet engine and a comfortable and roomy VW-inspired interior. In fact everything you could want in a vehicle of this size.
I drove the 1.0 TSI manual petrol version, with a peppy 110 bhp direct injection engine which can return 52.3 miles to the gallon in mixed driving, despite being capable of powering you from 0-60 in around 10 seconds.
This is an effortless engine which feels easy-revving and is never under strain. Married to a pleasant six-speed manual gearbox it gives good acceleration. A dashboard reminder tells you what gear you should be in for maximum economy.
The Ibiza has crisp, geometric lines and attractive light clusters. From the side in particular, this five-door car looks the business, helped by attractive 17 inch alloy wheels.
Ride and handling of the Ibiza FR is both refined and composed, with sure-footed cornering, even at speed.
Inside, the Ibiza is impressively roomy with plenty of headroom for taller drivers. My test car had a panoramic sunroof option (£765) which made the interior even more pleasant. Instruments, concentrated in a central console, are well laid out and clear.
Standard equipment includes metallic paint, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, automatic headlights and daytime running lights, rear spoiler, DAB radio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and smartphone integration, satellite navigation via an 8.25 inch colour touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control with speed limiter, lane assist, sports suspension and tinted rear windows. On the road price is a very competitive £22,510.
This is an excellent, smooth running and sophisticated offering that feels more expensive than it is. You’ll recognise features from the Volkswagen parts bin, particularly in the interior, but it’s certainly none the worse for that.
