2022 SEAT Ibiza
Review

HAS SEAT'S SUPERMINI GROWN UP?

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Once the edgy choice for young drivers, the Ibiza is now all grown up- but does it still have that spark?

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The SEAT Ibiza has long carved out a niche as the stylish, slightly rebellious alternative to its Volkswagen Group cousins. But with the 2022 facelift, the fifth-generation Ibiza has matured- at least on paper. 

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It brings a subtly revised exterior, an overhauled cabin with fresh tech, and more connectivity than ever. 

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Whilst on holiday in Spain, we hired the XCELLENCE trim, equipped with a 1.0-litre TSI turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (DSG). The XCELLENCE trim is one below the top trim, and despite its sporting credentials, has a more toned down appearance and standard suspension. Our car was in Magnetic Grey. 

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But can this refreshed supermini still entertain on a twisty B-road while being a sensible daily driver?

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Exterior:

At first glance, the 2022 Ibiza's visual visual changes might fly under the radar. But look closer and the tweaks do sharpen its appeal. There's a sleeker front end with full LED headlights standard across the range, redesigned alloy wheels, and subtle badging updates. The XCELLENCE comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and contrast aluminium trim on the grille and window surrounds.

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Despite its relatively conservative facelift, the Ibiza still looks fresh and assertive in a crowded supermini market. It feels more dynamic than the closely related VW Polo and less fussy than the Renault Clio. It looks sharper and more youthful than the Škoda Fabia. 

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It won't turn as many heads as a MINI, but in this spec and colour, the Ibiza looks more grown-up and sophisticated than its dimensions would suggest. 

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INTERIOR:

Inside is where the Ibiza makes the biggest leap forward. The basic cabin of previous generations is gone, replaced by a thoroughly modern one. The dashboard is topped with soft-touch materials, the infotainment screen is well integrated, and on upper trims, a modern looking digital cockpit.

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The XCELLENCE model features a 9.2-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital drivers display- both sharp and responsive. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, alongside USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. The system's layout is intuitive, though the small climate control buttons low down the dashboard are a bit fiddly on the move. 

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Build quality is very good, though you'll still find some scratchy plastics below eye level. 

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The overall vibe is modern, sport, and user-friendly- if not quite as plush as a Polo, or as flamboyant as a Peugeot 208. 

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For a supermini, the Ibiza is impressively roomy. Up front, there's good leg and head room, and feels noticeably wider than it actually is. The rear space is surprisingly generous for the class. Adults can fit- just about- though taller passengers will find headroom a bit tight. The boot is a strong point at 355-litres, easily carrying two large suitcases and a rucksack. 

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DRIVING: 

The car was fitted with a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol producing 110 bhp. Around town it was impressive, offering effortless acceleration, partly helped by the 7-speed dual clutch. Though jerky as low speeds, soon smoothens out. On the motorway, despite never feeling underpowered, it does show its small capacity when merging. The accelerator needs to be pushed down quite a bit for the engine to spool up. But once up to speed, the engine is quiet, and downshifts quickly when overtaking. 

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On twisty roads, the Ibiza shines. The steering is well-weighted and precise, communicating a reasonable the road reasonably well. The body does roll a bit through the corners, but is reduced in the FR trim with its sports suspension.

 

The ride on our model strikes a balance of being comfortable, yet firm- remaining settled at high speed.

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Real-world economy was hovering around 48 mpg. 

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VERDICT:

The SEAT Ibiza doesn't shout for attention, but take it for a drive and it still delivers that youthful fizz it's always been known for. With improved tech, sharper styling, and a cabin that feels upmarket, the Ibiza has matured- but not mellowed.

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The Ibiza doesn't shout- but for those who know, it speaks volumes in most areas. 

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