Motors North

SEAT Ibiza 1.4 SE

FUNNY how tastes change? When I was a puritanical car-loving youth I despised metallic paint and dismissed silver and gold as pointless over decoration.

More than 35 years later I own a metallic silver car – and I like it!

But I doubt if I lived for another thousand years I’d ever change my mind about the rash of lurid metallic and pearlescent greens, blues and reds that are hitting out streets.

Call me old fashioned, but if I wanted to stand out on the road to that extent I’d dress like Long John Silver and perch a seagull on my head!

So you’ll imagine my acute embarrassment when SEAT sent me a new Ibiza in eye-wrenching Citrus Green metallic – the most lurid of lurid greens on the planet.

Now, I’m the first to admit that my "style" is not exactly of the moment, some would say not even of this century. But driving around in a finely engineered piece of automotive technology that glows like a florescent Granny Smith is akin to me meeting the Queen in boxer shorts wearing a pair of Elton John specs! In other words – not on!

Why would you order a colour like this? Apart from being able to find it in a pitch dark car park without having to switch on a light I can think of no good reason to be so "obvious".

Safety pundits might say this lurid green is "safe" because it gets you noticed – it might also induce shock! There are a growing number of these lurid colours on Highland roads – and one thing is for sure, you certainly notice them.

So, donning a pair of sunglasses, I spent a week with the "apple of my eye" and tried to concentrate on the 1.4 litre petrol SE five-door’s other attributes.

The new Ibiza has been with us for just about a year. It’s a sharp and modern re-interpretation of the successful predecessor that borrows much from the Volkswagen Polo and Golf ranges but presents it in a more youthful package at a lower price.

Compared to the 120bhp 1.4 litre TSI petrol five-door Golf SE I tested recently, the 85bhp 1.4 petrol five-door Ibiza SE is a real bargain. It may lack the ultimate quality of the latest Golf 6, be well down on power with its older technology 1.4 VAG petrol heart and make do with a standard five-speed manual gearbox in place of the Golf’s slick six-speeder, but you make spectacular savings.

Where the Golf SE costs £16,515 the Ibiza SE will leave you with £5740 change thanks to its amazingly low list price of just £10,775.

But it’s closer to the lower powered 80bhp five-door Polo 1.4 SE than the Golf and manages to undercut the £11,855 Wolfsburg supermini by a significant £1110 – and that’s before discount.

The Ibiza is the cheap and cheerful end of the mighty Volkswagen Group – and none the worse for that.

Sharp, youthful Latin style replaces Teutonic conservatism. The 2009 Ibiza wears a good looking, sharp suit with sweeping hard chines highlighting its curves. Inside the story is more austere with harder and unyielding plastics where Polo and the new Golf sport softer trim with a better quality feel.

Alongside the equivalent Polo, the Ibiza is more lively on the road and there’s more interior noise. But the differences are not as dramatic as you might think. The Spanish SEAT is fractionally heavier than the Polo, at just over a tonne, yet feels more agile. It handles well on its front drive and is very predictable, even when you have to tackle twisty Highland single trackers.

It’s only when it comes to outright pulling power that the modest output of the Ibiza’s 1.4 heart is evident.

I tackled the fine "new" A830 from Fort William to Mallaig last week to try the Ibiza, and the former fish lorry alley, to see how both performed.

With a load, the Ibiza was a little reluctant to accelerate, taking 12 seconds to get from rest to 60mph. Overtaking needs energetic use of the gearbox – but the good news is that the drastically improved A830 allows plenty of opportunity for passing. What a delight compared to the bad old days of contorted single track that once caused massive tailbacks behind that fish transport.

The Ibiza is light to drive and has sharp driver feedback. The dash and instrumentation are basic and clear and, despite a cheap look, are functional and ideal for tough family life.

Noise levels are acceptable and visibility is good, apart from that bugbear of so many modern hatches, poor rearward vision caused by bulky haunches and thick C-pillar structures.

Seating is supportive and on a par for the sector. Rear space is good and the 292 litres boot capacity is ahead of the current Polo’s 270 litres. With the standard split and fold rear seats tucked away, the Ibiza can swallow a useful family cargo of 847 litres against the surprisingly roomy Polo’s 1030 litres.

Like the Volkswagen, the SEAT’s rear seat folding mechanism leaves an awkward lip on the loading floor. But it’s a practical and easily configured family holdall for all that.

The Ibiza is a big improvement on the previous model’s style and refinement, but it’s still on the raucous side. The engine and ride make themselves felt the quicker you go, but it’s never unpleasant. Safety is good with front and side airbags, but I was disappointed that electronic stability control (ESP) is an option, albeit at a good value £274. Standard SE gear includes alloys, air conditioning, four electric windows, powered mirrors, cruise control, RDS/single slot CD radio, central locking and power steering.

Where the Ibiza scores is on running costs. It’s cheaper to insure in Group 3 than the Polo’s Group 4, and while it comes with the same three-year or 60,000 mile warranty, it is marginally more frugal on petrol managing 45.6mpg compared to the less powerful Polo’s 44.8mpg. Curiously at 149g/km the Ibiza is also fractionally cleaner by 1g/km than its German cousin.

There are eight models in the new five-door Ibiza range from a £9385 1.2 petrol S with 70bhp to long range 1.4 and 1.9 TDI turbodiesels that can average between 60mpg and 76mpg, depending on engine, and cost between £11,395 for a 1.4 TDI S and £12,285 for a 1.9 TDI Sport. You can also buy the Ibiza in Sport trim with a 104bhp 1.6 petrol engine at £11,655 that will average 42mpg or with a cracking DSG paddle shift transmission for £12,245.

Whichever way you cut it, the new Ibiza is a bright and breezy small family hatch. It is well built, affordable and uses modern design and technology. It may not be the most refined hatch on the market, but it is fun to drive and very practical. Just be careful what colour you choose!

Rating: 7/10

FINAL THOUGHT: Bright, youthful and nippy – SEAT’s new Ibiza is all of those. This is a perfect example of a more affordable Volkswagen in a smart new suit. It drives well, has excellent build quality and despite an obvious down-market feel to the cabin and a few refinement issues it is fun to drive and a comfortable holdall. The 1.4 is brisk and economical and in this sector that is a bullseye. Cheaper alternative to Volkswagen Polo, Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio or Peugeot 207.

SEAT Ibiza 1.4 SE

Price: £10,775
Capacity: 1390cc
Power: 85bhp
0-62mph: 12.2 seconds
Maximum speed: 108mph
Economy: Combined 45.6mpg; Urban 34.4mpg
CO2 emissions: 149g/km
ESP: £274 option
Insurance: Group 3

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SEAT Ibiza 1.4 SE