Test Seat Ibiza FR Plus TDI 95 CV DSG: elegant and youthful at the same time

One of the best known and loved models in the automobile market is the Seat Ibiza, which is currently the second best-selling tourism in Spain, behind his brother Seat Leon. This model for the B segment premiered a generation in 2017 and, although we already tested it thoroughly almost a year ago, now we are back at its controls to examine it.

The main reason for getting back into the Seat Ibiza is that at the time we tested it in a very basic version. had a finish Reference and the 1.0 petrol engine with 75 hp. Now we wanted to try the opposite side, a highly equipped version -although not full equip-. That is why we have opted for a unit with the FR Plus finish, various optional and mechanics 1.6 hp 95 TDI with DSG gearbox 7 gear.

As you can imagine, in many respects both the basic unit tested several months ago and this one with the FR Plus finish are identical. Therefore, in order not to repeat too many concepts and details, we are going to focus on the differences experienced, as well as comportamiento of this more dynamic variant.

More passionate and sporty

The aesthetic changes are obvious. Although logically the main shapes are maintained, the Seat Ibiza with the FR Plus finish offers a much more sporty aesthetic, with more character. Starting from the front, the Ibiza FR Plus incorporates standard LED headlights, gloss black grille with FR lettering and chrome surrounds, as well as a specific bumper.

Highlight that glossy black contrasts in this "Desire Red" body color they fit like a glove. Glossy black is featured on the grille, fog light surrounds, panoramic sunroof and exterior mirror caps.

All the inch wheels 18 of this unit are optional and the truth is that its design with a two-tone finish is very attractive, with five fine double spokes. That yes, they let see too much the brake drum on the rear wheels (also in black), something that I personally don't like at all.

In the rear we have a specific bumper with its lower part finished in black as a "diffuser". On the sides of this plastic piece are two chrome trims that simulate a double exhaust outlet, although they are totally false. The actual outlet of the exhaust system is hidden under the bumper and on the left side. Although it is not the only brand that resorts to it, the truth is that it is a somewhat “shabby” solution, if I may use the expression.

More interior quality and more equipment

If the exterior changes markedly from the most basic to the most equipped finish, the same thing happens inside. The materials used in the most visible parts of the passenger compartment are different, with a more attractive appearance and higher quality. Look at the middle part of the dashboard, at the contrasting red stitching or on the much sportier looking steering wheel.

In the center of the dashboard we find a large color touch screen which also has a browser. Its operation is simple and intuitive, processing quite smoothly. The image from the reversing camera is projected on this same screen.

The seats are specific in this FR Plus finish, with a better quality in its upholstery and greater lateral support to prevent us from moving in the curves when we increase the pace. Of course, they do not have lumbar support regulation and I admit having missed it a little during a trip of 600 kilometers between round trips in a single day.

This Seat Ibiza FR Plus unit It does not have the digital instrument panel., the Seat Digital Cockpit. Although it is an expendable extra, the truth is that it changes a lot and provides a very technological image to the passenger compartment, since the quality of this instrument panel seen in many Volkswagen Group vehicles is already well known and is now landing in Seat. Its price, for those who decide to acquire it, is $310, so I think it's worth it.

In terms of habitability of the front and rear seats, as well as the space in the trunk does not vary at all with respect to the unit tested months ago. Four adults of normal height can travel quite comfortably and the 355 liters of the trunk are enough for a car in this segment B.

mechanical range

The Seat Ibiza is available with various gasoline and diesel mechanics, as well as a mechanical TGI option, which can work with both NCG (Compressed Natural Gas) as with gasoline. Be careful not to confuse it with LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), since the number of service stations where you can recharge CNG is much lower, although little by little the infrastructures are expanding. Secondly, There are manual transmissions and also 7-speed DSG transmissions.

Currently, and with the changes carried out weeks ago due to the change in anti-pollution regulations and the new approvals with the WLTP, the Seat Ibiza is available with diesel engines of 80, 95 and 115 CV, as well as engines of gasoline 95 and 115 hp. We hope that the 1.5 hp 150 TSI will be available again very soon, which until a few days ago was positioned as the most powerful version of the Spanish model.

1.6 TDI 95 hp DSG7 engine

This engine is a 16-valve four-cylinder diesel with 1.598 cc. and turbocharged. According to the technical file, it develops its 95 CV between 2.750 and 4.600 rpm, while the maximum torque of 250 Nm it is available between 1.500 and 2.600. These rev ranges already make us see that it will be a very usable engine in practically the entire rev counter.

Regarding the approved data, it seems that this configuration is capable of reaching the 180 km/h top speed and cover the sprint from 0 to 100 in 11,3 seconds. For its part, the mixed consumption approved in the previous NEDC cycle was 3,8 liters every 100 kilometers tours.

Impressions at the wheel

The Seat Ibiza offers good behavior in practically all kinds of situations. In the city It defends itself very well due to its exterior dimensions, being easy to maneuver with it in narrow places or when parking. The suspension, of variable hardness in this unit, correctly filters the irregularities, speed bumps, bumps or sewers that we can find.

After the generation gap, the Ibiza has increased its wheelbase and track width, for which it has been reduced center of gravity. This is especially noticeable when driving through expressways, because it offers a good poise and the feeling of security that it transmits at high speed is similar to that of a higher category model, to the compact ones. Despite being well soundproofed, the occasional slight aerodynamic noise is filtered into the cabin.

It also performs well in twisty roads. If we activate the sports driving mode, the direction gains weight and the suspensions stiffen slightly. The engine management and the DSG change also become more reactive. In this situation, the body barely tilts, because the suspension maintains inertia well, and it feels very agile.

Of course, it is no less true that, circulating through broken rathole roads, and not always at a high rate, the car tends to lose track slightly when going over some bumps. The rear part moves timidly and although in just an instant it returns to its position, it does not convey all the confidence that we would like. I don't know if it is a problem with the chassis configuration caused, perhaps, by a possible excess rebound, or if on the contrary the fault lies with some tires with very little profile.

And now let's talk about engine response diesel 1.6 TDI with 95 hp and its partnership with the 7-speed dual-clutch DSG. The 95 hp and 250 Nm are more than enough to move the Seat Ibiza with enough agility, both in the city, on winding roads and mountain passes, as well as on the highway. Unless many benefits are required, I do not think it is necessary to opt for the 115 CV mechanics, since this 95 is very solvent.

Throttle when you throttle, this setting always offers energy, although where it feels most comfortable is in the middle of the rev counter, between 2.000 and 2.500 laps. the gearbox DSG, as usual, it works very well and is fast when up and down gears, although somewhat more clumsy when maneuvering at very low speed.

With the change in position D tends to choose a long gear to look for adjusted consumption, stretching a little more in S-position. We can always choose the manual mode and play with cams to be the owners of the management ourselves, although if you rush to the red zone it will jump to a higher gear as a protection. Of course, it would not hurt if the cams were somewhat larger and made of a higher quality material.

Otherwise, the diesel engine is noticeable at idle and during acceleration, something that is not very pleasant because it leaks a lot into the interior. Maintaining a stable speed and a medium engine speed, it is barely noticeable in the passenger compartment, completely disappearing if we have the audio equipment activated or if we are talking to our companions.

Regarding the consumptions, being a state-of-the-art diesel engine and a small car, they are quite good. Under normal conditions we are about 5 liters of mixed consumption doing normal driving, being possible to be around 4,5 l/100 km if our routes are favorable or if we are quite smooth when driving. Our final average was 5,3 litres, driving recklessly for economy and going fast on several occasions.

Conclusions

The Seat Ibiza looks much more graceful in this FR Plus finish than in the previous unit we tested, with the Reference finish. The aesthetics, equipment and qualities improve notably from one unit to another. Of course, the counterpart is the price, which is increased considerably both by the base equipment level and by the optional ones that this unit mounts.

Respecto a your rivals, this version of the Seat Ibiza is mainly pursued by the Ford Fiesta ST-Line, the Kia Rio GT Line, the Renault Clio GT Line and the Volkswagen Polo Sport. With equal equipment only the Polo is more expensive, being more similar in price to Ford Fiesta.