SEAT Ibiza ST estate (2008-2016) - Interior & comfort
Roofline looks good, but it hurts headroom inside the SEAT Ibiza ST
You can get the ST with sportier suspension, but that makes the ride much harsher for anyone inside the car and seems a bit odd given it’s primarily intended as practical family transport. The standard suspension is by far the more comfortable option.
SEAT Ibiza ST dashboard
While SEAT as a brand undoubtedly benefits in quality terms from being owned by the Volkswagen Group, this also means it has a set position in the group’s brand hierarchy. So while SEAT is the sporty, stylish badge, Volkswagen is the more refined and upmarket alternative – and that means that SEAT cars don’t get all the nice materials you’ll find in a VW.
Yet despite a few scratchy plastics in some parts of the cabin, the Ibiza’s interior still shares plenty with its VW Polo sister model and baseline quality is good. The design is smart and logical, too, and updates to the cabin in 2015 brought higher-quality materials, easier-to-use ventilation controls and a new radio and touchscreen across the range, making the Ibiza ST a pleasant place in which to sit.
Equipment
There are four trim levels to choose from when buying an Ibiza ST: entry-level S A/C, mid-range SE and higher spec Connect and FR.
S A/C cars come with 15-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, air-conditioning, split-folding rear seats and hill-hold control.
The SE trim adds 15-inch alloy wheels, a 5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and a DAB digital radio, a leather steering wheel and gearknob, front foglights and power-operated heated door mirrors. Connect-spec cars also get 16-inch alloy wheels, sat nav and a Samsung A3 smartphone. SEAT’s Media System Plus is available on Connect models and above, and brings with it Apple Carplay and Android Auto, as well as a larger touchscreen.
The sporty FR car gets everything the SE has, plus an alternative alloy wheel design, LED tail-lights, trim-specific front and rear bumpers, twin exhaust pipes, sat nav, Bluetooth phone connectivity, sports seats, sports suspension and cruise control.
Options
Optional equipment for the Ibiza includes larger alloy wheels, a storage pack, parking sensors, climate control, bright bi-xenon headlights and a panoramic sunroof. Be aware that not all options are available on all models, however.
