CAR OF THE YEAR SEAT Ibiza

The Ibiza pulls all of its attributes together into a strong-performing package

IT’S rare that you can pick up a current-shape car that’s yet to be replaced for not much more than half of its original price. While the structure of the Ibiza line-up has been tweaked a little over the three years it’s been on sale, the fundamentals are the same, so buying used here means you still gain access to one of the best-driving superminis available.

That’s down to the MQB A0 chassis, which steers nicely and offers the kind of agility and engagement that, until the Ibiza arrived, only the Ford Fiesta really offered.

The 94bhp 1.0-litre turbocharged engine means you’re not having to plump for a knock-down entry-level naturally aspirated unit, too. With the torque that the tiny turbo brings, plus a positive five-speed manual gearbox, there’s plenty of flexibility available, and as a result the Ibiza feels like a larger family hatchback on the move.

It’s also superbly well packaged, offering the most space in the rear of pretty much any supermini on sale. At launch, SE trim featured kit such as a five-inch colour touchscreen multimedia system, air-con and 15-inch wheels, so there’s enough equipment on offer at this price. The Ibiza’s strongest suit is how it pulls all of these attributes together into one strong-performing, practical, efficient, fun, refined and comfortable package.

Superminis like this are the lifeblood of the UK new car market, and with many Ibizas now reaching three-years old, and therefore probably at the end of their initial finance contracts, this should just be the start when it comes to selecting a good used car to buy.

With availability of the Ibiza on the rise, that means there’s no need to go for a high-mileage model, and you can take your pick when it comes to colour and spec.

This is a fantastic example of why buying used can be a great option, and for us so far in 2020, there’s currently no better option than this fantastic fifth-generation Ibiza.