Seat Ibiza long-term test: report 2
This small hatchback has long been among the best in its class to drive, but can it handle the heavy workload of someone who covers mega miles?...
The car Seat Ibiza FR Sport 1.0 TSI Petrol | Run by Jonty Renk, video production manager
Why it’s here To show that cars designed 10 years ago can be better than today's rivals
Needs to Provide an engaging drive, easy to use controls and remind me of why I fell in love with driving 10 years ago
Mileage 5334 List price £20,995 Best price £17,495 Price as tested £25,635 Official economy 51.8mpg Test economy 49.9mpg
11 June 2026 – The badge makes all the difference
It always happens. Every time I get a shiny new phone, I’m like a kid at Christmas. But give it a few weeks and the honeymoon phase inevitably ends. It’s just another phone. This week I’ve been thinking about whether that applies to my Seat Ibiza. I was ecstatic when I took delivery, but I’ve now been living with it for a while – and it’s certainly racked up a fair few miles in that time – so has the showroom shine rubbed off?
The short answer is… drum roll please… the honeymoon phase hasn’t ended. Let’s start with the looks. I still get a kick from seeing it parked outside my flat. Sure, it’s no Aston Martin or anything super sleek and flashy, but I think it’s a smart, sporty looking small car, particularly in my top-spec FR Sport trim. And while it looks a bit different to my old Ibiza – the first car I ever owned – I’m still hit with a dose of nostalgia every time I see it.
I’ve also warmed to the colour. Yes, I was a bit disappointed that red was unavailable when I specced my car, but that feeling has since disappeared. I really like it. It’s called Oniric Grey and, in the sun, it really pops: there’s a hint of duck egg blue that just doesn’t come across in the configurator images.
Really, the only thing about the looks that I can’t get on with are the fake exhaust tips. These look good from afar, but you don’t need 20/20 vision to see that they don’t go back very far. The real exhaust is hidden behind: it’s just a single, piddly pipe.
Even more so than the looks, the driving experience feels familiar to my old Ibiza’s. Both feel precise and light on their feet. They’ve both put a smile on my face when the road gets twisty.
The sports seats hold me in place well during cornering, but I would like adjustable lumbar support – unfortunately, there’s no box you can tick to get this feature on your new Ibiza. It’s not a huge issue, but I’m afraid I might change my tune when I go on a full-blown road trip. I’ll keep you posted.
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