Seat Ibiza FR 1.4 TSI ACT, road test (interior design, exterior design and boot)

After a first look at the mechanical side of the Seat Ibiza that we are analysing this week at Highmotor, it is time to talk about the design and the boot.

Our test unit, equipped with a 1.4 TSI ACT petrol engine, has already shown good dynamic qualities. Will it be just as good when it comes to life on board?

Interior design

The Ibiza is one of the oldest city cars on the current market: with the recent facelift of the Opel Corsa, it is practically the only one left among vehicles more than five years old. Although it received a minor update in early 2012, its look is starting to show its age in several respects.

Even so, that does not stop us from finding a well-designed interior, which keeps life on board from feeling heavy. The dashboard design has changed very little from the 2008 model, when this fourth generation was launched. We are therefore faced with a dashboard with curved lines, which emphasises the dynamic character of the Ibiza. However, we must admit that the materials no longer live up to expectations, especially when Seat is making such a big leap in quality, whose current top example is the León.

The interior is almost entirely covered in hard plastics, with the exception of a front dashboard trim that has a padded feel and which, depending on the version, is either grey or black. Otherwise, we have to make do with hard plastics which, it must be said, look good and have solid, quality fit and finish.

The driving position is very comfortable. The steering wheel, trimmed in perforated leather and flattened at the bottom, feels very pleasant, as does the gear lever knob, also leather-wrapped. The handbrake lever, however, is not leather-covered and has a low-quality feel that will disappoint some users. Opposite, we find an instrument panel similar to that of the León, with white lighting, red needles and a multifunction display in the middle. This display is the weak point of the instrumentation. It has no temperature or fuel gauges, the latter being reduced to a bar of segments that is not as precise as we would like.

The radio has improved noticeably compared with the first models fitted to the 4th-generation Ibiza. It is now quite simple to operate, ergonomic and intuitive. It can be expanded with a multimedia device, which we will discuss in the next article. The single-zone climate control is also simple and intuitive to use.

The rear seats are not as spacious as we would like. To begin with, getting in is not entirely easy because the roof height is quite limited. Once settled inside, the first thing we notice is that the Ibiza in its SC (three-door) bodywork has really small space in the second row. It is almost impossible for three people to travel in the back with a minimum of comfort, unless they are children. Two people will travel with some comfort as long as they are not very tall, since the sloping roofline severely limits headroom.

Exterior design

It is clear that the interior of the Ibiza SC is not the most spacious on the market. However, we must admit that this drawback is less bothersome once you see its exterior design. Without doubt, the three-door Ibiza is one of the most attractive city cars in its segment. In addition, our test unit, equipped with the FR trim, shows details that make it even more appealing. Starting at the front, we clearly see lines that are very similar to those of the new León. These similarities are even more evident in the FR version, which has a more sporty front bumper.

If fitted with bi-xenon headlights, the Ibiza also offers LED daytime running lights, which give it a high-tech and distinctive look. The side of the Ibiza has sharp, sporty lines, a very high waistline and a fairly small glass area. The alloy wheels on our unit were 17 inches in anthracite finish, which together with the red brake calipers form a very attractive combination.

The rear is the area that has changed least since 2008. However, it still has a contemporary look, which does not show the passing of time especially. This is especially noticeable on our unit, which has LED rear lights (only in combination with the bi-xenon front headlights), a sporty rear bumper and two exposed exhaust outlets.

Boot

We conclude the analysis in this article by talking about the boot. The standard cargo space of the Ibiza SC is fairly decent, though not outstanding, with a capacity of 262 litres. That space can be significantly enlarged, since the Ibiza allows the rear seat row to be folded (60:40 split), then offering an almost flat (though not entirely) floor that reaches 930 litres.

The loading opening is large and there are no problems in that respect; we also have a fairly useful false floor for storing smaller items. The biggest drawback we found is the boot sill, which makes loading and unloading heavy objects a rather unpleasant task.

In the next article we will conclude our review of the Seat Ibiza by discussing equipment and price. We look forward to seeing you.

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackSEAT Ibiza14 versions · from 18,520 €