New Ford Fiesta & Seat Ibiza vs Skoda Fabia
New version of the UK’s favourite car. New version of one of its toughest rivals. Not-so-new current Small Car of the Year. New class leader?...
Our verdict
The agonising thing for Ford will be that this new Fiesta has overcome every rival that existed when it was conceived. It’s great to drive, its interior and infotainment have taken big steps (they needed to) and it’s reasonable value for money, especially as a company car. Ford simply couldn’t have foreseen the quantum leap Seat would make at the same time.
Make no mistake, then: the new Ibiza is a brilliant small car that genuinely has no real weakness, being superb to drive and, apart from the MPV-shaped Honda Jazz, easily the most practical car in the class. That it’s cheaper than the Fiesta to privately own or buy on PCP, despite coming with much more kit, is merely a bonus. So, the Fabia slips from first to third in the small car rankings – although that’s hardly shameful in a class of nearly 30 models. We’d go for SE or SE L trim, although even in this top-end Monte Carlo spec the Fabia is keenly priced and a fine all-rounder.
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1st – Seat Ibiza
For Grown-up driving manners; great driving position; roomiest in the back; biggest boot; loads of standard kit; best infotainment
Against A bit too much road noise; limited optional safety kit
Must-have options Storage pack (£160)
Rated 5 out of 5
2nd – Ford Fiesta
For Wonderful to drive; cheapest company car; lots of advanced safety kit on options list; six-speed ’box
Against Priciest on PCP; most cramped in the back; smallest boot; no rear parking sensors
Must-have options Adjustable boot load floor (£75)
Rated 4 out of 5
For Cheapest to buy and own privately; lowest PCP repayments; decent boot
Against Unsettled low-speed ride; suspension noise; worst equipped
Must-have options Auto lights and wipers (£200); third rear headrest (£50)
Rated 4 out of 5
Specifications: Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost 100 Titanium 5dr
Engine size 1.0-litre engine
List price £16,795
Target Price £16,297
Power 99bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque 125Ib ft @ 1400-4000rpm
0-60mph 10.0sec
Top speed 113mph
Gov't fuel economy 65.7mpg
CO2 emissions 97g/km
Specifications: Seat Ibiza 1.0 TSI 95 Xcellence
Engine size 1.0-litre petrol
List price £17,310
Target Price £15,810
Power 94bhp @ 5000-5500rpm
Torque 129Ib ft @ 1500-3500rpm
0-60mph 9.9sec
Top speed 113mph
Gov't fuel economy 60.1mpg
CO2 emissions 106g/km
Specifications: Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI 95 Monte Carlo
Engine size 1.0-litre petrol
List price £16,100
Target Price £14,913
Power 94bhp @ 5000-5500pm
Torque 118Ib ft @ 1500-3500rpm
0-60mph 10.1sec
Top speed 115mph
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