Used SEAT Ibiza for sale: everything you need to know
The SEAT Ibiza is a stylish small car that has long been popular with younger drivers. The Spanish brand has a sporty image, yet its cars are also competitively priced and cheap to run.
The SEAT Ibiza has built a strong reputation over the years for combining small car practicality with a little more verve than many of its rivals. There is a comprehensive line-up of model grades to choose from, and several fuel-efficient petrol engines. You can buy an SEAT Ibiza with a high-tech automatic gearbox too.
Rivals to the SEAT Ibiza include the ever popular Ford Fiesta, the Volkswagen Polo and the Vauxhall Corsa.
Should you buy a SEAT Ibiza?
The SEAT Ibiza offers a lot of technology and sophistication for a small car. If you’re looking for an affordable vehicle to buy or lease, but also one that has all the latest features many expect from a new car, it’s definitely worth a look.
Every version, even the most affordable SE grade, gets an 8.25-inch colour touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone connectivity. SEAT also fits a digital instrument cluster as standard – the sort of technology you normally find in premium Audis and BMWs.
The engine range is all-petrol these days. There’s a non-turbo entry-level motor, which is very cheap to insure – making it ideal for younger drivers. Two TSI turbocharged engines offer more oomph, with the more powerful version also having the option of a ‘DSG’ twin-clutch automatic gearbox.
All SEAT Ibizas have five doors; it is the most popular and practical small car body style. Impressively, metallic paint is also standard on all cars as part of the SEAT Easymove simplification initiative. Buyers simply pick their favoured trim and engine, with the only choice then being which colour you want. Because each grade is so well equipped, cost-options are very few in number.
Using Volkswagen Group underpinnings means the SEAT Ibiza drives in the same sophisticated way as a Volkswagen Polo or Audi A1. The emphasis here is a little more on the sporting side of things, particularly in FR models with their standard sport suspension. However, it’s still not jarring or uncomfortable.
Overall, the SEAT Ibiza is a very compelling car to buy or lease. A facelift in 2021, which upgraded the interior and improved the infotainment system, has only added to its appeal. SEAT’s best-selling car ever continues to deliver.
A long-running model that has spanned multiple generations, the SEAT Ibiza helped to put SEAT on the map. The latest version really is the best yet, particularly as the buying process has been so simplified.
It’s a smart-looking car, particularly with the fancy badging of facelifted models. It also feels sophisticated inside, and offers great driving dynamics. Practicality is strong, with a handy 355-litre boot – bigger than the small car norm.
Competition is keen in the small car market, however, with talented alternatives such as the Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio, Peugeot 208 and Toyota Yaris, not to mention the related Volkswagen Polo, Audi A1 and Skoda Fabia. But the SEAT Ibiza can hold its own and we reckon it deserves a place on your shortlist.
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What’s the best used SEAT Ibiza model to buy?
Without hesitation, we’d head straight for the 1.0 TSI turbo petrol engine as the pick of the motors. This dominated sales to the extent that it's now the sole engine available in the SEAT Ibiza when new, available with 95PS or 110PS (earlier models were available with 115PS). Unless you're on a strict budget, we’d point you towards the more powerful version as it gives the same fuel economy as the less potent one but has more oomph for motorway driving.
On faster roads, this engine is smooth, quiet and has sufficient power in reserve to make light work of steeper hills or carrying a full load of people and luggage. You can also pick between the easy-shifting six-speed manual gearbox or slick seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission.
In terms of trim levels, we reckon the sportier FR models suit the Ibiza well. A post-facelift SEAT Ibiza FR or FR Sport is a very desirable little hatchback indeed.
Used SEAT Ibiza fuel economy and performance
SEAT Ibiza 1.0 MPI 80 petrol: The base SEAT Ibiza engine is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder motor. ‘MPI’ means it doesn’t have a turbocharger, so its 80PS output is backed up by a middling 93Nm of torque – as evidenced by a steady 15.3-second 0-62mph time. It does average up to 53.3mpg, though. Early models of this engine had 75PS.
SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TSI 95 petrol: This engine is also a 1.0-litre, but ‘TSI’ signifies it has a turbocharger. Not only does it boost power to 95PS, it also raises torque to 175Nm, giving it considerably more real-world pulling power, plus 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds. Even economy is better, with up to 54.3mpg in the official test.
SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TSI 110 petrol: The most powerful new SEAT Ibiza produces 110PS, which cuts the 0-62mph time to 10.3 seconds. The other two engines come with a five-speed gearbox, but this one has a six-speed manual or an optional DSG dual-clutch automatic. The manual averages 52.3mpg, while the auto returns 48.7mpg. Earlier models had slightly more horsepower at 115PS.
SEAT Ibiza 1.5 TSI petrol: Briefly offered new until the end of 2018, this is the the most powerful Ibiza engine you can get on the used market. WIth 150PS it was only available in the sporty FR trim. Its 0-62mph time is 7.9 seconds and it promised up to 57mpg.
SEAT Ibiza 1.6 TDI 80 diesel: Offered early in the Ibiza's life but later phased out, this diesel engine is fairly noisy, but it's very frugal, offering up to 74mpg. Its power output is 80PS, which means 0-62mph in 12.9 seconds.
SEAT Ibiza 1.6 TDI 95 diesel: This version of the diesel engine has slightly more power at 95PS, but still promises up to 74mpg fuel economy and 0-62mph in 11.3 seconds.
What used SEAT Ibiza trims levels are available?
SEAT offers the SEAT Ibiza in three core trim levels: SE, FR and Xcellence. For each model, there’s a higher-spec variant with more features for a little extra spend, namely SE Technology, FR Sport and Xcellence Lux.
The SEAT Ibiza was facelifted in spring 2021, keeping the current model fresh-looking and full of appeal.
The SEAT Ibiza S was the entry-level Ibiza when it first went on sale in 2017, but it didn't sell that well and was later droped from the line-up. It's relatively conservative with its features, but does include air conditioning, electric front windows, Bluetooth and automatic headlights.
The SEAT Ibiza SE is the most affordable new SEAT Ibiza on sale. SEAT calls it ‘the essential one’ and even this grade includes a touchscreen infotainment system and air-con. It also has 15-inch alloy wheels. Notably, every new SEAT Ibiza comes with metallic paint included in the price, rather than as an optional extra.
The SEAT Ibiza SE Technology builds on base SE grade by adding an improved infotainment system with a larger touchscreen and sat-nav. The alloy wheels also grow by an inch.
The SEAT Ibiza FR is the sporty SEAT Ibiza grade, with even larger alloys and sports seats. It’s offered with a broader range of engines, including a 110PS turbocharged petrol.
The SEAT Ibiza FR Sport builds on the core FR model with extra equipment and stylish microsuede upholstery. It has the biggest alloy wheels of any new SEAT Ibiza: a full 18 inches in diameter.
The SEAT Ibiza Xcellence is a more upmarket alternative to the sporty FR. Dual-zone climate control and keyless entry are highlights, while the alloy wheels gain a smart machined finish.
The SEAT Ibiza Xcellence Lux is the most indulgent SEAT Ibiza, with luxuries like adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors and a rear-view camera.
Used SEAT Ibiza dimensions and boot size
The SEAT Ibiza’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4059mm
Width: 1780mm
Height: 1444mm
Ground clearance: TBA
The SEAT Ibiza’s boot size is:
Used SEAT Ibiza road tax
All SEAT Ibiza models registered since 1 April 2017 will cost you a flat rate of £180/year in VED (tax). That's the same as any of its competitors - if you're looking for free road tax, you'll need an electric alternative like the Vauxhall Corsa-e or Peugeot e-208.
How much is to insure a SEAT Ibiza?
The SEAT Ibiza is potentially one of the cheapest new cars to insure. Pick the 1.0-litre MPI 80 engine and insurance ratings start from an affordable group 3 (out of 50), both for the SE and SE Technology. Even the FR falls into a still-very-affordable group 4. If, however, you want more power and choose the 1.0-litre TSI 95, insurance costs will jump. The SE starts from group 9, with the SEAT Ibiza FR shooting up to group 11.
Read our full SEAT Ibiza review
