SEAT Ibiza 5dr road tests and consumer car reviews

SEAT Ibiza 5dr SE 2008

Great little(?) car, very smooth and easy to drive, with a gutsy little engine that returns 45mpg on the trip computer in everyday driving. Fully loaded equipment that would cost over £3000 more for a similar fiesta with the same level of equipment. Fantastic looking with a superb ride in the SE version although. I test drove a sport version as well and the ride was fidgety on that, so I would recommend the SE. The interior quality is superb with no rattles or squeaks, and the quality of materials is like a Mini Audi, and the quality of plastics put the Fiesta to shame. Nice and quiet on the motorway with a lot less tyre noise than my father New Model Honda Jazz. The only downside is that the interior is a bit dull and dark, great from the drivers seat but boring for everyone else, try to spec one with the lighter dash pack at no extra cost as it makes all the difference. A very underrated car with a 14 week delivery time, we went to 3 dealers and were lucky to get a cancelled order for the colour that we wanted... a very underrated car, much better quality than a fiesta and a better drive than a Honda Jazz... try one you will be happy, we were!

Responses to this review

I have the Chill version of this car and agree with most of the review apart from ride comfort, probably due to the lower profile tyres -215/45 - on 16" wheels and not very good on hills, the slightest incline requiring a gearchange often down to second gear to get any "pull". A bit embarrassing really when being overtaken on hills by much smaller engined cars! - Mike Ward from Cheshire

I have a Seat Ibiza Copa Style Ecomotive 1.2 TSI with Start&Stop. As I read on many reviews that are competitors better than Ibiza, I would like to say that I am very happy with this car. It has everything I need. I just married, so for a new family this is just ok. The only cons I could say are the limited space for legs in the rear seats, where one person which is 1.8m high will have problems with space, not to mention three average guys. I would also liked a light in front compartment. I hope this model will be at least as reliable as the model before, which I really liked. I went to dealer and I saw Polo, Swift, Fabia and Corsa, but I decided for Ibiza, why? It has all the above at a decent price. The engine that is equipped it’s more than enough: it’s like the perfect engine with low cc but strong enough to make driving fun. If you are eco-minded, do not worry, this engine has everything: Start&Stop and Energy Break Recovery techs will satisfy you enough. As I have seen so far, the 2012 model it is even better looking. All the best - φλοριν Μ. Πχλορεεν from Greece