New 2017 SEAT Ibiza on sale now

Order books have opened for the all-new 2017 SEAT Ibiza, with prices barely changed from the previous model despite a long list of improvements. The Ibiza is all-new from the ground up, although the familiar look of its predecessor is largely retained.

The latest Ibiza is based on the MQB A0 platform which will soon be shared by the Volkswagen T-Roc crossover and next generation Volkswagen Polo. It brings increased interior space, with more rear legroom and a bigger boot than the previous model, although a three-door version is no longer offered.

The initial engine range consists of three 1.0-litre petrol engines, while the latest 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine seen in the Volkswagen Golf will be added later, along with diesel options.

We’ve driven the new SEAT Ibiza, available now priced from £13,130 – read our review here.

New SEAT Ibiza trims

The fifth-generation SEAT Ibiza can be chosen in five trim levels; S, SE, SE Technology, FR and XCELLENCE. All models include a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, air-conditioning, automatic headlights and electrically adjustable mirrors.

For another £870, the SE is likely to become a popular choice as it adds alloy wheels, LED lighting and a colour touchscreen. Upgrading to SE Technology increases the size of the touchscreen and adds sat-nav for an additional £660.

Sportier looks distinguish the FR, which also gets a DAB radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink connectivity, as well as cruise control and sports seats. A new XCELLENCE model heads the range and it features dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, automatic wipers and a rear parking camera.

Design

At first glance, the new Ibiza is so similar to the outgoing car one might accuse SEAT of playing it too safe: it features angular headlights, pronounced strakes down the side and a sculpted bonnet with central creases – just like the fourth-generation car. Look at the two cars side by side, however, and it’s clear the new Ibiza is a leaner, meaner and sleeker car than its predecessor.

The new Ibiza’s side strakes are even sharper and more numerous than before, the headlights look significantly more streamlined and modern, while the bonnet creases follow the form of the side strakes, increasing in both severity and number compared to the old car.

It’s a successful redesign and one that brings the Ibiza in line with its bigger Leon sibling, a car we’ve long liked the look of. The new Ibiza is a mature-looking supermini and it’s lost some of the less graceful angles the old car had – particularly when viewed from the rear and side. One significant change is the new Ibiza will only be offered in five-door guise: unlike the model it replaces, there won't be three-door or ST estate variants.

Engines

While the looks may take a couple of glances to fully appreciate, the new Ibiza’s engines are mostly turbocharged and mostly familiar. Entry-level cars will get a 1.0-litre MPI engine with 74bhp. Spend a little more and you’ll enjoy the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI petrol engine with either 94 or 113bhp.

Crowning the range is an all-new 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine. While this won’t be available at launch – it’ll debut in the facelifted VW Golf first – it’ll be offered with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic when it appears in SEAT’s brochures.

Following on from that will be a 1.6-litre diesel in the choice of three power outputs.

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The fifth-generation Ibiza is based on a new version of the Volkswagen Group’s ‘MQB’ platform, which will form the basis for the next Volkswagen Polo and Audi A1 – but the Ibiza gets it first.

Variations of the MQB platform – which stands roughly for ‘modular transverse toolkit’ – underpin everything from the Audi TT coupe to the Skoda Kodiaq SUV. It’s more a strategy for design rather than a platform per se and the most fundamental advantage it conveys is allowing universal positions and fixings to be used for a car’s engine and gearbox, reducing costs and improving build quality in the process. It’ll be interesting to see how the new Ibiza drives, as it’ll be a good yardstick for assessing how successful the new platform is before it features in other cars.

Driving characteristics aside, the new Ibiza is 87mm wider than the outgoing car and although it’s only fractionally shorter, the distance between the front and rear wheels has been increased by almost 10cm; this means it should be significantly more spacious inside.

It’s a similar story out back, where the boot has grown from 292 to 335 litres. That gives the new Ibiza a larger boot than the Ford Focus – a more expensive car from the class above.

Interior

The theme of maturity continues inside the new SEAT Ibiza. It has a logical layout and angular lines, but is prevented from being too sombre by the presence of a coloured central trim section. Push-button start, parking sensors, dual-zone air-conditioning, twin USB sockets, a wireless phone charger and a premium Beats stereo all feature, alongside automatic stop-start and steering-wheel paddles for the automatic gearbox – although it’s likely that at least some of these features will be reserved for higher trim levels.

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The infotainment screen looks set to continue SEAT’s focus on connectivity and smart technology, with close inspection revealing a photo-viewer app, real-time traffic updates and DAB digital radio.

New SEAT Ibiza: price and on-sale date

The new SEAT Ibiza range is priced from £13,130 on the road for the 1.0-litre MPI model in S trim. Prices rise to £17,310 for the 1.0 TSI XCELLENCE model.

Key specifications

S- 15in wheels with urban covers- Emergency tyre repair kit- Twin halogen headlights with daytime running lights- Media System Touch: 5.0in black and white touchscreen, USB port, Aux in, steering wheel mounted controls, FM- AM radio, Four speakers- Bluetooth audio streaming and handsfree system- Trip computer- Electrically adjustable door mirrors- Height-adjustable driver's seat- Air conditioning- Electric front windows (one-touch with anti-squeeze)- Auto-headlights- Height and reach adjustable steering wheel- Driver and front passenger airbags- Front passenger airbag deactivation- Front side and curtain airbags- Active front head restraints- Anti-lock brake system (ABS)- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)- Hill hold control- Tyre pressure monitoring- Front assist- Multi-Collision Braking System- Remote central locking with deadlocks- ISOFIX points in outer rear seats with top tether anchorage points- Three-point seatbelts on all rear seats

SE In addition to S trim- 15in 'Enjoy' alloy wheels- Front fog lights with cornering function- LED daytime running lights- LED taillights- Body-coloured door handles and mirrors- Front grille frame in chrome- Media System Colour: 5.0in colour touchscreen, USB port, Aux in, steering wheel mounted controls, FM-AM radio, six speakers- Leather steering wheel, gear knob and hand brake- Split folding rear seats (60- 40)

SE Technology In addition to SE trim- Media System Plus (includes media system colour): 8.0in colour touchscreen, voice recognition, additional USB port, navigation system, 3D map display with voice recognition

FR In addition to SE Technology trim- 17in 'Dynamic' alloy wheels- FR rear bumpers- Twin exhaust pipes- Dark tinted rear windows- Chrome window trim- Brilliant black painted door handles and mirrors- Full Link: MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto- Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) digital radio- SEAT Drive Profile with four different modes (Eco, Sport, Comfort, Individual)- FR front sports seats- Exclusive flat-bottomed FR steering wheel and interior details- Height-adjustable front passenger's seat- Electrically folding door mirrors- Multicoloured ambient lighting- Sports suspension- Rain-sensing wipers- Auto dimming rear view mirror- Coming & leaving home headlight function- Steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles (DSG models only)- Cruise control- Tiredness recognition system

XCELLENCE In addition to SE Technology trim- 16in 'Design' Machined alloy wheels- Dark tinted rear windows- Chrome window trim- Atom grey black painted door handles and mirrors- Full Link: MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto- Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) digital radio- SEAT Drive Profile with four different modes (Eco, Sport, Comfort, Individual)- Front centre arm rest- Height-adjustable front passenger's seat- Black Alcantara and leather upholstery- Dual-zone climate control- Rear electric windows (one-touch with anti-squeeze)- KESSY (Keyless entry and go)- Multicoloured ambient lighting- Rear parking sensor- Front parking sensor- Rear view camera- Rain-sensing wipers- Auto dimming rear view mirror- Coming & leaving home headlight function- Cruise control- Tiredness recognition system