TO paraphrase a well-worn saying: "to win one prestigious motor industry award is extremely commendable, to win two is high quality recognition."
In 2003, the SEAT Ibiza lifted the What Car? magazine overall Car of the Year award and more recently has followed up this achievement by being voted What Car's? Supermini of the Year 2004.
It was the Ibiza 1.2 S five-door derivative which attracted the applause of the judges for its "value-for-money" and "low cost of ownership" at this year's awards.
But, the Ibiza's still "youthful looks" and "lively drive" are common to all the models of this SEAT supermini range and, recently, I spent some time in the company of the Sport two-litre three-door model.
Justifying its "value-for-money" tag, the award-winning S level entry model also comes with a generous level of kit with semi automatic air con, single-shot electric front windows, six-speaker sound system with CD player, twin front airbags and remote central locking all coming as standard.
However, the Sport adds full climate control, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, trip computer, front side airbags and twin head and foglights.
Room up front is accommmodating, with a good view of a user friendly dashboard with distinctive SEAT red backround lighting. Serviceable trim materials and the tried and tested Volkswagen group build quality are very much in evidence.
However, the supermini game continues to move on apace and while the Ibiza provides quite adequate legroom in the rear of the cabin and a fair cargo capacity in a reasonably sized boot - which can be extended courtesy of 60/40 folding rear seats - some of its contemporaries offer more headroom in the rear for adults.
Seating is comfortable and supportive with the test car providing body-hugging front sports seats. A leather-swathed steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake cover all add a further touch of this sporting life.
Like many other drivers, I have always found the optimum driving position relatively easy to arrive at in SEAT products, whatever the model of car. The ratchet seat height adjustment and reach and height adjustable tiller set-up makes for a comfortable driving position to complement controls which are firm to the touch.
Mounted on 16-inch alloys, the Ibiza Sport stands on the VW group's fine supermini platform, which also underpins the Polo and Skoda Fabia, and, coupled with the sports suspension set-up, this is a fine foundation for brisk progress.
While pock-marked B-road surfaces can transmit a little road noise through to the cabin, the Ibiza does perform in true supermini fashion. The firmish, but not unforgiving, chassis set-up keeps torsional lean well under control when stringing together a series of twisty bits while ride refinement is good.
The two-litre power unit is this year's new addition to the Ibiza range. It's a quite spritely, eight-valver capable of powering the Sport over the 0-62mph dash in 10.7 seconds which, while not tarmac burning, did give the feeling of being much quicker at times. The 112bhp maximum power at 5400rpm holds the promise of a top speed of 123mph, where legally allowable, of course,
The Sport also caters thoughtfully for the unwise and the unwary with ABS Braking with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), plus a Traction Control system.
Overall, the Ibiza still has a lot to offer in a hotly contested supermini world, and is still well capable of adding further to its reputation of being SEAT's best-selling model to date, with more than three million having graced driveways worldwide since 1984, 110,000 of which went to UK buyers.
FAST FACTS
SEAT Ibiza 2.0 Sport
Price: £11,565.
Mechanical: 112bhp, 1984cc petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox.
Max speed: 123mph
0-60mph: 10.7 secs
Combined mpg: 36.2
Insurance group: 7
CO2 emissions: 187g/km
BiK rating: 21%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust; 1yrs paint
Words: Malcolm Robertshaw