Test Seat Ibiza Xcellence 1.0 TSI 110 CV manual 6v

We all have the Seat 600 as the myth of the history of motoring in Spain. And it is not for less, since it motorized millions of families in the 60s and 70s. However, for the firm from Martorell the Seat Ibiza He is the best ambassador in its entire history. It was born in 1984 as a relatively affordable car, with a sporty character and a clear youthful focus. In all this time, more than 6 million units have been registered, being the best-selling car in the brand's history.

The fifth generation has been on the market for a few years now and the company has not missed the opportunity to update the model. Thus, the Seat Ibiza receives a makeover halfway through its life cycle with subtle aesthetic changes on the outside, but much more noticeable in the cabin, especially in the section of technology and connectivity. We have been able to attend the national presentation of this car for segment B and drive a Ibiza in Xcellence finish with 1.0 TSI 110 CV engine.

Take out the magnifying glass to see the exterior changes

You have to look at specific details to perceive the modifications carried out abroad. As they say, they are simply "character-enhancing" tweaks. Of course, in the front we already see LED lighting as standard and Full LED in the superior finishes. To this we must add two new colors to choose from, such as Saphire Blue and Asphalt Blue.

More of the same we find in the side view. And it is that, as you can see in the images, it is not easy to differentiate the new model from the predecessor. In this case, there is also three new wheel designs, two in 17 inches and one in 18. In the same way, the logos are modified SEAT, with a two-tone finish (matte in the central area and shiny on the edges).

Yes, we can differentiate it more easily by its rear, although it is not that the Spanish firm has changed the pilot lights or the bumper considerably. We will have to look at the model registration, which passes to a typeface in handwritten style as we have also seen in the updated Arona y Ateca or in the new Seat Leon (try Seat Leon here).

The Seat Ibiza is completely renewed inside

As we said at the beginning, the biggest changes are in the cabin. The updated Ibiza features a much more technological interior. Firstly, behind the wheel we can carry a 10,25-inch instrument cluster fully digitized, intuitive and with various customization and display options. It comes as standard in the Xcellence Plus and FR Plus finishes, although it can also be optional in some lower finishes.

La dashboard center display it has also been replaced with a new floating screen. As standard it is now 8,25 inches, passing to 9,2 inches on top variants. This higher position improves your visibility and reduces potential distractions. We must not forget about Wireless Full Link for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

And speaking of distractions, it is a success that the air conditioning controls remain physical and simple, not having fallen into the temptation of integrating it into the upper screen itself as if the new Seat León does, for example.

On the other hand, the materials used for the dashboard, steering wheel and upholstery have also been improved. In this regard, the perceived quality still not the best on the market, that is, it does not reach the level of a VW Polo, for example. You can hear some noise when pressing certain points on the dashboard, but logically it is a B-segment car and is up to the main rivals. There are soft materials in the upper areas and rigid plastics in the lower ones.

A curious detail that the owners will like is that the aerators can be illuminated optionally in the Seat Ibiza, bringing them as standard the Plus terminations of the FR and Xcellence. It is not something functional, far from it, but it does visually improve the cabin at night.

Without modifications in space and trunk, it is still one of the best

Logically no change in space inside or in the trunk. The front seats are spacious enough for adults of sizes that do not stand out from normal, also having a good driving position thanks to the wide adjustments of the seat and steering wheel. There is also numerous storage compartments, central armrest and even wireless charging surface.

The legroom in the rear seats It depends a lot on the adjustment of the front seats. If the previous seat is adjusted to a medium height (1,76 in my case), there is plenty of room for another adult of similar height to place their knees and feet comfortably and without feeling overwhelmed. While, in headroom it is one of the best in the categoryWell, I believe that even people who are 1,85 tall can travel without touching their heads on the ceiling.

Lastly, the trunk holds 355 liters of the predecessor version, being a very good volume considering the total size of the car. For comparison, a Seat León or a Volkswagen Golf they only have 25 liters more capacity. Of course, the CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) variants lose space and are satisfied with 262 liters.

Seat Ibiza engine range

Moving on to the mechanical section, the Seat Ibiza completely dispenses with diesel engines. The offer is limited to gasoline and CNG. In the first place we have a 1.0 MPI with 80 hp, which is a 999 cc three-cylinder. without turbocharging reserved for the Reference finish.

The bulk of sales will go to the 1.0 TSI, which is very similar to the one mentioned above but with supercharging. develop 110 CV at 5.500 rpm and 200 Nm of torque between 2.000 and 3.000 laps. Of course, it is direct injection. is offered both with 6-speed manual gearbox and 7-speed DSG. Its approved mixed consumption is between 4,9 and 5,8 l/100 km (between 5,3 and 6,4 with the dual-clutch transmission).

Meanwhile, the most performance propellant of the entire Seat Ibiza range is the 1.5 hp 150 TSI, which necessarily comes with the DSG. It gives its maximum power at 5.000 revolutions per minute, also delivering a maximum torque of 250 Nm between 1.500 and 3.500. It even has cylinder deactivation to reduce consumption, homologating a mixed between 5,7 and 6,4 l/100km.

Finally there is the CNG option, which uses a 1.0 gasoline engine with three cylinders and a turbo, yielding 90 hp and 160 Nm of torque. As you know, you can use both Compressed Natural Gas and gasoline, but the gasoline tank is very small (only 9 liters) since it is used as a fuel reserve. The gas tank is 13,8 kilos.

A pity that the Seat Ibiza is not offered with hybrid mechanics, because only this CNG option is entitled to the Eco sticker of the DGT. It would not be bad if there were some diesel variant either, but the brand affirms that the demand for diesel in Ibiza is very, very low.

At the wheel of the Seat Ibiza Xcellence 1.0 TSI 110 CV

As we had already commented at the beginning of the article, for this first contact in its national presentation we have opted for a Seat Ibiza in Xcellence termination and with the 1.0 TSI 110 hp engine, linked to the 6-speed manual transmission. Without a doubt, the most rational engine for the Seat utility.

The approved consumption data is from 4,9 to 5,8 l/100 km (depending on the equipment), while among its benefits we can highlight a 0 to 100 in 10,2 seconds and a tip of 195 km / h, which is already more than enough for a utility vehicle; especially in Spain.

The updated Ibiza does not present structural or set-up changes, so the driving impressions do not change too much either. The positive part is that we had not tested this engine in the previous version.

Road, highway or city? fits everything

The route prepared by the Martorell brand included urban areas, secondary roads and also some section of motorway. Precisely, the Seat Ibiza, like many of its rivals, is a car that adapts well to all types of roads paved, so it is a good all-in-one car if we are not going to travel with many occupants and/or a lot of cargo.

En city it moves frankly well, and best of all, it does so with comfort and agility. This motor is already enough to move with "joy" between the traffic of the cities, being also easy to maneuver, relying on the parking sensors and rear camera.

La suspension is comfortable over bumps and highlights, while your direction, which does not have too much feedback, it is light to change direction with little effort. To this we must add that the gear change (6 speeds) is smooth and pleasant, but also fast and precise enough.

Although with vibrations and noise at idle

Where it is partially out of tune is on the subject of vibrations, because at idle they are noticeable a little on the steering wheel and seat, although it's nothing to write home about. Usual disadvantages of three-cylinder engines for these vehicles.

Once on expressways, the engine is willful enough to circulate with enough ease. Of course, we remember that we have tested it without companions and with the trunk fully unloaded. With several occupants and the trunk to the brim there will be situations in which we need a little more reprise.

If we are going to travel a lot and with the car loaded, perhaps we should consider the jump to the 1.5 hp 150 TSI, although the price difference is considerable.

Nor is it a "spicy" engine. It is a mechanic with good torque, which likes to go between 2.000 and 3.000 rpm. It will only be necessary to take it above that half speed in overtaking, to improve recoveries, although the sound when accelerating fully is not as beautiful as that of any four-cylinder, as is logical.

Comfortable, but also agile to go cheerful

If we go to a curved road, the chassis holds up perfectly to the happy rhythm and allows very precise guidance between turns. This is one of the strengths of the Volkswagen Group's MQB A0 platform.

Although we have not taken it to the limit, there are no excessive inclinations of the bodywork and it does not show a fairly neutral behavior either. Be careful, and we are with an Xcellence finish, that the FR has a more rigid set-up of the suspensions.

Conclusions

During this first contact the consumption of the Seat Ibiza has been placed in 6 liters, although you already know that it is a fact to "take with tweezers", because in dynamic presentations we do not have time to accurately measure consumption. In any case, it seems to me a good figure considering that during a good part of the routes we practice a happy driving and several stretches of the engine to the top to check its response.

Rivals? Well there are not exactly few opponents that has the Seat Ibiza. We can mention models like the Ford Fiesta, its cousins Volkswagen Polo y Skoda Fabia, Renault Clio, Hyundai i20, Kia Rio, Opel Corsa o Peugeot 208 among others.

The Seat Ibiza may already be somewhat seen for its exterior design, but the changes introduced in the cabin are an important refreshment. To this we must also add the improvement in security, with ADAS such as the travel and traffic jam assistant, signal recognition, automatic high beams or lane maintenance assistance among many other assistants.

Equipment Seat Ibiza

References

• Eco LED Headlights
• Automatic city braking
• Fatigue detector
• Speed ​​limiter
• Touch screen of 8,25 inches
• DAB radio
• light sensing
• Air Conditioning
• Electrically folding exterior mirrors
• 15-inch steel wheels
• Body color mirrors and door handles
• Multifunction steering wheel

Reference Plus (adds to Reference)

• Cruise control
• rear parking sensor
• Fog lights
• Rear electric windows

Style (add to Reference)

• Full LED headlights and LED taillights
• Cruise control
• Fog lights with cornering function
• Wireless Full Link
• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Leather steering wheel and gear knob

Style Plus (adds to Style)

• Dual zone automatic climate control
• Heated mirrors
• Coming Home and Leaving Home function
• Rain Sensor
• Rear electric windows
• Front and rear sensors
• Reversing camera

Xcellence (adds to Style)

• Dual zone automatic climate control
• Electrically heated and folding mirrors
• Coming Home and Leaving Home function
• Rain Sensor
• Rear electric windows
• rear sensors
• Keyless entry and start
• front armrest
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Gray mirrors
• Diamond grille
• Chrome window frames
• Indoor ambient lighting
• Excellence steering wheel
• White interior trim and chrome finishes
• headlining in black

Xcellence Plus (adds to Xcellence)

• Wireless charger
• 9,2” screen with browser
• illuminated aerators
• 10,25-inch digital instrument cluster

FR (add to Style)

• Driving modes
• Specific suspension FR
• Double boot bottom
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• FR bumper
• Glossy black window surrounds
• Aerators in red
• FR steering wheel in Nappa leather

FR Plus (adds to FR)

• Wireless charger
• 9,2” screen with browser
• illuminated aerators
• 10,25-inch digital instrument cluster
• Darkened rear windows
• lane keeping system
• jam assistant
• automatic high beams
• Recognition of traffic signs
• Keyless entry and start
• automatic emergency braking

Seat Ibiza prices

Official prices communicated by SEAT.

Seat Ibiza Gallery

More information about this model

Seat Ibiza

• Plazas 5
• Power 80 - 150 hp
• Consumer goods 3,7 - 6,0l/100km
• Assessment 4,5