SEAT IBIZA
Update Small details make for a great supermini
All the little details are making stylish supermini really good to live with.
THE SEAT Ibiza is approaching the end of its time on our fleet. And the thought of it going back to the manufacturer has got me thinking about why it’s been such a great companion over the past six months.
We’ve praised the supermini before for how good it is to drive, but it’s the small details about the driving experience that I really love.
The gearshift is a fine example: the lever is light and easy to move, so there’s never any trouble selecting a gear. However, at the same time it manages to feel mechanical, avoiding the unpleasant numbness that blights the shifts of some small cars. Getting something like that right really enhances the driving experience, even though it seems like a small detail at first.
Then there are the seats. They don’t look much different from those fitted to many other superminis, but we’ve found that they allow a more comfortable driving position than in many rival models.
My husband Dave is tall and often finds small cars like this aren’t the best fit, but the SEAT’S clever layout has meant he’s loved getting behind the wheel.
It’s just a shame that the cloth upholstery in our example seems to stain so easily. Its light grey colour means any small spill shows up easily. In fact, our Ibiza arrived with a small stain on the front passenger seat that we’ve had trouble removing. A stronger fabric cleaner should do the job, though.
Also, the cup-holders behind the gearlever are quite shallow, so you have to watch tall coffee cups placed there. It’s easy to knock anything stored there when changing gear.
Verdict
WE love our Ibiza’s stylish looks, useful in-car technology and punchy turbocharged petrol engine, but it’s the satisfying small details that cement its place near the top of the supermini tree. The comfortable seats are another highlight, although stains on the upholstery are frustrating. ★★★★★