Spring CLICK!
That’s the noise, or sensation, the Seat Ibiza gearshift gave every time I used it. Satisfying, don’t you think? Spring CLICK!
Leaving the office with every intention of kicking the cat when I got home, I was somewhat soothed by the Ibiza’s cheery environment for inner city driving.
The interior is not bright or lively like some Nissans or Fiats but its not dull either. Sitting at traffic lights was always quite pleasant. The dash layout is not impressive or dramatic, but it’s a long way from Skoda-bland. It is attractive, practical and easy-to-use. The plastics seem durable rather than expensive, but that’s no bad thing.
There is simple air condition contolled by three chunky knobs. There is a straightforward radio and a central locking/alarm system. Nothing more, nothing less than you need.
The only thing I didn’t like were the wing mirror controls. They are just like an etch-a-sketch nozzle. Etch-a-sketch was one of the most over-rated 1980s toys. It was almost impossible to draw anything that didn’t make you look like you had learning difficulties. I was reminded of this as I adjusted the mirrors and quickly got an excellent view of a plane overhead. Correcting it I found myself looking down a drain.
But then the lights changed, and spring CLICK, I was off. I didn’t race about like you can in a Kia, with their torquey engine units, as this Ibiza only had the entry level 1.2 litre petrol engine. It would be easy to make jokes about lawn mower engines or whatever, but that would overlook what a good engine it must be. Driving the decent little Hyundai i10 city car a few months ago, it was fair to say it struggled with A-roads or big hills because it had a 1.0 litre engine not designed for such tasks. But this Ibiza’s engine is only 20% bigger and moving a lot more weight about with consummate ease. So it is a good little engine.
Although, I confess I didn’t technically take it out on a motorway, or even a proper dual carriageway. The reason is that to get to one from Central London, whichever way you go, you have to use a stretch of multi-lane 50 mph road. With the tiny 1.2 litre engine upfront, you soon realise that the poor little thing hasn’t got much more to give. It is perfectly refined still, but its not exactly straining at the leash. Plonk one of the excellent 1.9 turbo diesel engines I recently tried in a Leon under the bonnet though and you will have a perfectly good motorway cruiser.
Parallel parking the Ibiza will make you feel like a brilliant driver. Because the A, B and C pillars are all slim, you have near 360 degree visibility. The steering and clutch are light, so provided you don’t rush, there are very few cars that will go into a space more easily. The first time I looked over my shoulder to park, I just couldn’t believe how much I could see and instantly appreciated how much less I was going to have to guess. I defy even the worst parker to cock up their manoeuvre in this car.
The boot is deep and will take a weekly shop without thought. The rear has enough room for adults and the front seats show that budget cars can deliver proper support, adjustment and comfort. Something Korean makes still haven’t quite cracked.
This car has been around since 1999 so the styling is now dated and bland. When it is replaced, its successor will be laden with electric gadgets that you don’t really need. It will no doubt have sexier styling like the gorgeous Seat Leon. So it will, like the Leon, be much harder to park or change lanes in; the sexy styling completely blocks your lines of vision.
But that’s what Seat will have to do to keep pace with the industry and they will no doubt produce a car, like the Leon, that provides competition to much more expensive cars. But I will miss the competent and unfussy 1999-generation Ibiza.
No one notices you in it. You are not likely to be excited by it or talk about it at parties. But it doesn’t frustrate or tire you. When you drive a Seat Ibiza you can just get on with more important stuff.
Summary
A dyeing breed of easy-to-live with family car. It does everything you ask of it without fuss or flair. But it does everything you ask. A trustworthy car that is ideal for young families on a budget or with the smallest engine a wonderful first car for some lucky teenagers.
Real car in classifieds:
2007 57 Reg SEAT Ibiza 1.2 12v Reference
5,000 miles
Price: £6,995
Tel (0844) 8486218
Road test car details:
Seat Ibiza 1.2 12v Reference Sport 3dr
OTR: £8,705
0-60: 14.2secs
MPG: 47.9
Co2 g/KM: 139
Words: Matthew Tumbridge