Seat Ibiza Connect, we test the latest facelift of the Spanish city car

The Ibiza is one of the most important models in the range of the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT.

In recent weeks its latest facelift has been launched, which refreshes the image of the current generation, improving its appeal and its technological qualities.

We had the opportunity to join a day with the Seat Connect Caravan, which is touring the whole country through different brand dealerships in order to show the public the improved capabilities of the Spanish city car.

The SEAT Ibiza gets a slightly updated look, with new front and rear light clusters, which hide LED daytime running lights on certain versions. New body colours are also added, as well as newly designed alloy wheels.

Inside, the changes focus on an improvement in the perceived quality of the whole cabin, with more padded materials used on the dashboard. The door panels now feature a greater proportion of textile surfaces. The steering wheel, gear knob, levers and climate controls are also new.

One of the most important novelties concerns the new multimedia system, with a 6″ screen, which now, at last, integrates perfectly into the dashboard. It is a connectivity system practically identical to the one fitted to models such as the León or the Toledo. Furthermore, as a launch promotion, the SEAT team are giving away a Samsung Galaxy S3 to all buyers who fit the SEAT Connect system to their new vehicles.

With the ability to connect both Android and Apple devices, it is far faster and more intuitive than before. We can enjoy the CarPlay application, with which we can turn the system into a perfect extension of our iPhone, as well as Android Auto and MirrorLink if we have an Android device.

The Android Auto application stands out for its simplicity and speed; it mirrors the smartphone screen onto the car and gives us Google Maps, access to music apps and voice control. MirrorLink, for its part, stands apart with a much more customisable interface, the ability to add specific applications and countless utilities that connect the driver with their car.

Gesture controls, challenges with your own car, graphics in the purest motorsport telemetry style, voice interaction… countless features that make life on board easier and driving safer and more enjoyable.

Helping with the latter are also the mechanical improvements the Ibiza range has undergone, which now houses new diesel and petrol engines under its bonnet. On this first contact we were able to drive the new three-cylinder petrol 1.0 TSI in its 95 CV version, which, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, delivers a smooth, quiet ride with consumption that easily hovers around 5 litres. Response below 1,500 rpm is, however, insufficient, with jerks and an unpleasant sound.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackSEAT Ibiza14 versions · from 18,520 €