SEAT parties with new Ibiza

What is it?

Nothing short of the most important car made by SEAT, the VW Group's Spanish subsidiary. That the Ibiza accounts for 45% of the company's sales is significant enough, but this fourth generation model also marks the debut of Luc Donckerwolke as Design Director of SEAT. Given the company's aim to lead its rivals in terms of design, Donckerwolke will be all too aware of the weight of expectation. Not that he should mind, given that his previous position included designing the latest raft of Lamborghini supercars.

You'd think it a backward step for a designer to return to drawing superminis, but it's probably more challenging to create a stylish hatchback that retains all the practicality and safety of its competitors than it is to pen a swoopy sports car. Just a glance at the new Ibiza lets you know that SEAT has managed it though, the Ibiza instantly taking top spot in the class for its looks.

Is it any good?

Good looks will certainly tempt buyers into the showroom, but the Ibiza needs to deliver in every other way too. To that end, SEAT's new baby is the first car to feature the VW Group's new A0 platform, which is wider and longer than before, as well as being lighter yet stiffer. Theoretically that should endow the Ibiza with better stability than its predecessor, plus sharper dynamics. It's a noticeable step forward from the old model, though then again, it needed to be.

Get behind the distinctive wheel and you're confronted with a thoroughly modern new dashboard, with plenty of soft-touch materials and a good level of standard equipment. It's easy to get comfortable in the front seats too, though space in the rear is only adequate. Most British buyers will opt for the 1.2- or 1.4-litre petrol engines, with a 1.9-litre TDI model arriving a year after launch. The latter is notably unrefined in comparison to the petrol alternatives, though it offers nearly as much performance as the 1.6-litre petrol model while using less fuel.

Out on the road, the Ibiza is quite fun to drive, to a point. Its ride is well resolved, even in the Sport models, and body roll is well contained, but hustle the little SEAT along too enthusiastically and the ESP system lets itself be known. The intervention will be welcome in an emergency, but keen drivers won't enjoy the Ibiza as much as they might if the electronics were a bit quicker reacting.

Should I call the bank manager?

No point yet, as SEAT has not released prices for the UK market. Saying that, we expect the entry-level 1.2 Reference model to start at £9,000, which isn't bad at all. Hold tight until the Ibiza's launch in July though, as you should have the opportunity to take a closer look on the SEAT stand at the London Motor Show that month. It will be interesting to see how the Ibiza compares in terms of price to the forthcoming new Ford Fiesta too, as it's one of the only other cars in the supermini class that could be considered to be a looker. SEAT also promises us that the three-door version will be even more special.

If you're using this waiting time to save up a deposit, keep in mind a little extra for some niceties, such as Bluetooth connectivity, an iPod docking port and even a built-in connector for your Tom Tom. What's impressive about all these extras is their seamless integration with the car's interior.

Summary

SEAT's place in the VW Group looks better defined than ever before, with the Ibiza spearheading an aggressive new model programme encompassing a range of cars with daring styling. We think that the Ibiza is currently the best-looking car in its class, and that's not all it has to offer either, with value and decent equipment throughout. It deserves to do well, even in this tightly fought market segment.

Shane O' Donoghue