Seat Ibiza Review (2002-2008)

What is the Seat Ibiza?

When the third-generation Seat Ibiza arrived in 2002, it marked a big step forward over the two earlier versions. Here was a supermini that could stand comparison with any of its contemporaries. Indeed, some Seat Ibiza reviews at the time rated the Seat as the best supermini on sale, thanks to its blend of sharp styling, good value and practicality.

Cheaper than a Polo, sharper to drive than a Fabia, and better looking than either, the Ibiza ticked a lot of boxes and continues to do so as a used car. It was superceded by the fourth-generation Ibiza in 2008.

How practical is it?

There's plenty of space in the front seats, and in the rear seats, head- and legroom are acceptable, although not class-leading. The quality of finish stepped up after the 2006 facelift. Earlier cars feel a little bit cheap, and the interior design doesn't live up to the handsome exterior.

The boot is a decent size for a supermini of the time, too. At 267 litres, there's enough room to swallow a couple of sizeable suitcases.

By the standards of the day, the third-gen Ibiza is a safe car. It scored four stars out of five for adult occupant protection when tested by Euro NCAP in 2002. It picked up a two-out-of-four rating for pedestrian protection.

What's it like to drive?

There's a broad choice of engines to pick from, and three- and five-door body styles. The range of petrol engines kicks off with the 63bhp 1.2-litre. Granted, that's not a lot of power, but the willing three-cylinder engine makes the most of what it's got and has a pleasant off-beat thrum. For town driving with occasional longer trips, it's all the engine you really need.

For regular motorway work, the 74bhp and 99bhp 1.4-litre engines have more performance. Both engines need to be revved, but have noticeably greater top-end punch than the 1.2. If you want an automatic gearbox, the 1.4 petrol is your only choice. It's a torque converter automatic rather than the DSG fitted to later Ibiza autos.

Alongside the petrol engines sit a number of diesel alternatives, for drivers more concerned with mpg than mph. The 74bhp 1.4-litre (later 79bhp) and 99bhp 1.9-litre diesels are the most fuel-efficient models in the range, especially if you choose the Ecomotive version.

Whichever engine is under the bonnet, the Ibiza drives well. The FR and Cupra models do most to please keen drivers, but even the cooking models handle neatly. However, the ride is quite firm; you feel bumps in the road more sharply than you would in a Skoda Fabia.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

These days, you'd expect a new car to come with a DAB radio. Back in 2008, Seat decided that fitting a DAB radio to the Ibiza was exciting enough to warrant a special edition.

The 1.9 TDI DAB was fitted with a Blaupunkt Nashville DAB radio with a 4x50W amplifier. The sound system also included a CD player and the facility to record radio broadcasts to an MMC or SD-type flash memory card.

You'll need to look hard to find a DAB special edition today, as just 300 were made.

Seat Ibiza running costs

The third-generation Seat Ibiza is a budget car to buy and run. Used values are rock-bottom, and if you find a good example, you can pick up a real bargain.

The exceptions to the rule are the high-performance FR and Cupra hot hatchbacks. The 1.8-litre turbocharged engines are thirsty, with an official combined figure of 35.3mpg. Make full use of the 178bhp, and you can expect your mpg to dip into the 20s. It's not just fuel bills that will be high if you choose the Ibiza Cupra petrol, either. It sits in insurance group 30, making the most expensive Ibiza mk3 to insure by some margin. It's also expensive to tax, with an annual cost of £305 (at the time of writing).

The Ibiza FR won't be a lot cheaper. With the same engine but in a lower state of tune, it returns 35.8mpg on the combined cycle and only emits a few grammes less of CO2. Owners must find the same £305 to pay the FR's Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

For rapid performance but more palatable fuel bills, the FR and Cupra diesels make more sensible buys. Although they trade some top-end punch compared with the petrols, strong mid-range pulling power means they are hardly any slower in real-world driving. The 1.9 TDI Cupra should return around 51mpg, based on the old NEDC test standard. That will be difficult to match in practice, but even a lead-foot should see better than 40mpg. The one running cost that won't be cheaper with the diesel is insurance, as it matches the petrol's group 30 rating.

Other diesel models trade straight-line zest for long-legged economy. As we've mentioned, the Ecomotive is the most economical of all, and even if the official figure is a stretch, owners report that mid-60s mpg is achievable. The regular 1.4 TDI should return 55-60mpg in everyday driving, while the 128bhp 1.9 TDI can manage around 50mpg.

The petrols can't match those figures, and aren't as economical as the 1.0-litre TSI petrol engines in more recent Ibiza models. Even so, an Ibiza mk3 petrol should still be cheap to run. The 1.2 has an official combined figure of 47.9mpg, and 40mpg or so is realistic. The more powerful 1.4 models have worse official economy, but in reality can return similar economy. However, if you choose a 1.4 with an automatic gearbox, expect mpg in the mid 30s.

For the lowest insurance costs, the 1.2 model sits in group 5 to 7, depending on specification.

Seat Ibiza reliability

There are more reliable used superminis than the third-generation Seat Ibiza, and some are much less dependable. The Seat sits somewhere in the middle. Later cars are better than the early models, so ideally go for a car built towards the end of the Ibiza mk3's life.

Some owners report problems with the suspension, so listen out for any clonking noises when taking a test drive.

The timing belt pulleys on the petrol engines can fail. It's important that they are changed regularly in accordance with the servicing schedule. When the time comes to have this work done, a Seat dealership is likely to be more expensive than an independent. However, the five-year warranty on the official Seat belt kit means it could be worth paying the extra.

If you are looking at the 1.2 petrol, be aware of a problem with the exhaust valves. If the car seems sluggish on the test drive, this could be the reason. Look out for a warning light on the dashboard as well.

Electrical gremlins can also crop up, including central locking faults.

For better reliability, consider a Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20, or a Toyota Yaris. But don't rule out a well cared for example of the Ibiza.