SEAT Ibiza 2025 Review

Introduction

It was only a couple of years ago that strong rumours were circulating suggesting the SEAT brand’s days were numbered . But fast forward to October 2025, and SEAT has hit back with a long-term plan that sees modifications to the Ibiza and Arona models, along with mild hybrid versions arriving in 2027, a full-hybrid Leon in 2028 and a complete refresh to the Leon line-up in 2029.

So, it would seem SEAT has its future mapped out, although there was no mention or answers to any questions regarding the Ateca SUV. Time will tell if it will be continued or if SEAT will let other big-hitters within the VW Group cover that sector.

We jetted off to Ibiza, of course, to test out the latest 2026 Ibiza which has been given a mild makeover, for the second time, in an attempt to freshen up the fifth-generation model launched back in 2017.

Prices have not been completely finalised yet, but are unlikely to rise significantly and customers have a choice of powertrains and trims to choose from. The car is expected to cost from £20,995 and the Ibiza features a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine with differing power outputs of 80PS, 95PS or 115PS, and it can be matched to a manual or automatic gearbox. Elsewhere in Europe, there is a 1.5-litre option, but that’s not coming to the UK.

Trim-wise, there is the choice of SE, SE Tech, FR First Edition and FR Sport. We opted for the Ibiza First Edition with the more powerful 115PS direct injection engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission. But did it put us in the mood to party or leave us feeling rather flat?

At a glance

It would have been nice to see the outgoing SEAT Ibiza alongside the new 2026 version in order to really appreciate the design enhancements, but what we can confirm is it does boast a refreshed exterior. The main changes are at the front end with a fresh bumper design, a new-look hexagonal grille with diamond-shaped mesh flanked by slimmer full LED headlights to accentuate the car’s width.

Moving to the rear of the vehicle, you will find new bumper styling, the ‘Ibiza’ and ‘FR’ names italicised in dark chrome on the tailgate, while the ‘FR’ lettering is also laser-etched onto the B-pillars.

Our First Edition Ibiza also featured a sculpted bonnet, tinted rear windows, twin tailpipes and snazzy 17-inch alloy wheels. The car is available in nine colours with three more vibrant shades called Liminal Red, Oniric Grey and Hypnotic Yellow joining the existing palette.

Key features

SEAT has modified its trim line-up for the new five-door Ibiza. The Black Edition and Xcellence grades have been dropped and we now have a simple SE, SE Tech, FR First Edition and FR Sport choice for customers.

Starting at the entry-level SE, it is equipped with an eight-inch digital cluster where the important driving data is clearly displayed, plus an 8.2-inch infotainment screen offering access to MirrorLink for full Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Other key features include a DAB radio with six speakers, Bluetooth, cruise control, chrome interior detailing, 15-inch alloys, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear shifter and handbrake.

Step up to SE Tech and you gain 16-inch wheels, a larger 9.2-inch touchscreen with navigation built in, a 3D map display, voice control, and an extra USB port.

FR First Edition adds rear privacy glass, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, interior ambient lighting, sports suspension, drive modes, gear shift paddles, exclusive FR badging and 17-inch alloys.

The FR First Edition and FR Sport models also gain bucket seats to enhance their sportiness and the wheel sizes increase to 17 or 18-inches respectively. The latter also gets a slightly larger 10-inch touchscreen.

Performance and drive

Powering our front-wheel drive SEAT Ibiza FR First Edition was a 1.0-litre, three-pot petrol engine with 115PS and 200Nm of torque. There have never been any complaints about the car’s performance or handling and, once again, it lived up to expectations.

It can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 9.9 seconds and has a top speed of 124mph. Our car had a perfectly timed seven-speed automatic gearbox and, for added driver engagement ,there are steering wheel-mounted paddles, alongside drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport.

The test route through the Ibiza hills and coastal roads was twisting at times, but we were quite restricted by the continuous speed limits. That said; there were occasions where the car’s potential could be explored to the full and it delivered on all counts … just like it always does.

The performance is lively enough with good levels of acceleration and the road holding through twists and turns inspires confidence with no sign of body sway. The ride is fairly cushioned, although you will feel the full force of any unexpected potholes along the way.

We found the steering slightly on the lighter side which is beneficial when weaving through busy town centres, but a tad unnerving when firing through winding cliff-top roads. However, refinement levels are notable with little road, engine or wind sound filtering into the cabin.

To be honest, the Ibiza wasn’t full of surprises good or bad. It simply drove exactly as it always has. However, it will be interesting to see if the addition of hybrid technology will have any impact on the car’s fun factor when it comes to performance. We hope not.

Running costs and emissions

Prices have not yet been finalised, but we have been reliably informed the entry-level Ibiza SE will cost £20,995, which is a marginal increase over the outgoing model. The range-topping FR Sport is expected to carry a £25,340 price-tag, while our test car in FR First Edition guise, will be £24,485. Even if these costings fluctuate slightly, there’s no denying the Ibiza is at the lower end of the supermini sector when it comes to cost.

According to official WLTP figures, our Ibiza FR First Edition car can deliver a combined 48.7-56.4mpg with carbon emissions from 113g/km. We were seeing similar fuel economy numbers during our two-hour test drive that incorporated some steep inclines, fast dual carriageways and plenty of twisting lanes. That said; maybe it’s down to strict rulings on the island, but we rarely seemed to escape a 60kmph zone.

The 113gkm carbon emissions figure results in a first-year road tax bill of £440, dropping to the standard fee of £195 after 12 months. None of the line-up will be over £40k so there will be no Expensive Car Supplement to factor in, and anyone looking at the test model as a business car will see a Benefit in Kind rating of 28 per cent.

SEAT enjoys an above average reputation for reliability and shares many of its parts and technology with other vehicles within the VW Group. For added peace of mind, the Ibiza comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty package.

Interior and tech

While the majority of the new Ibiza’s design tweaks are tailored to the exterior styling, there have been some interior upgrades too. The bucket sports seats are more supportive, and the quality has also taken a step in the right direction. Expect to see a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear shifter and a ‘proper’ old school handbrake, also clad in leather trim.

There is enhanced connectivity and a superior six-speaker sound system. The main focal point is the 9.2-inch colour touchscreen which is the car’s nerve centre and access point to on-board tech. Unlike some models where the infotainment screen merges into the driver display behind a neat glass screen, the system on the Ibiza is a no-nonsense standalone unit sitting on the dashboard. On-board features include smartphone mirroring via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat nav, a DAB radio and the new six-speaker sound system.

We like the simplicity of the dual-dials layout on the driver display screen without any overload of information or gimmicky graphics, and there are plenty of physical controls too making it easy to adjust the temperature without having to navigate touchscreen menus. And at last, no fiddly haptic controls to operate simple functions like turning up the radio.

The bucket seats look great and offer bundles of support with ample manual adjustment to find a comfortable driving position. However, on the downside, some of the materials within the cabin are quite tacky. The air vents for example have a white-ish translucent plastic surround that looks really cheap.

Practicality and boot space

The SEAT Ibiza is a supermini, which means there is ample space for a couple of adults up front, and the amount of room in the back of the car is also surprisingly generous. A couple of adults will be fine for shorter journeys, but ideally it’s best suited to two of three youngsters, with Isofix anchors if child seats need attaching.

The car is 4,071mm in length, 1,780mm wide and 1,447mm tall with a 2,564mm wheelbase. Those dimensions mean the Ibiza is a versatile compact car that’s very easy to manoeuvre thanks to its light steering and 10.6-metre turning look, and it’s also simple to park too.

The boot is accessed via a manual tailgate and this can swallow 355 litres of goodies, which is ample for the weekly supermarket run. The storage capacity can easily be increased to 1,165 litres by dropping the 60:40 split-folding rear seats and there are numerous handy compartments scattered throughout the cabin. These include a glovebox, door bins, cup holders, seat back pockets and a wireless charging pad with cooling function to prevent phones from overheating.

Safety

The SEAT Ibiza was awarded a maximum five stars when it was tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating back in 2022. It scored 83 per cent for adult safety, 82 per cent for child occupancy, 66 per cent for vulnerable road users and 70 per cent for safety assist.

Cars boast an impressive list of safety features and driver assistance aids to help protect occupants and other road users. As standard, the Ibiza has lane assist, electronic stability control, dynamic road sign display, parking sensors and a multifunction camera, front assist and autonomous emergency braking, a driver monitor, hill-hold assist, tyre pressure monitoring and ISOFIX anchors.

When final specifications are announced, customers may be able to add optional equipment and packs that introduce the likes of high beam assist and adaptive cruise control, although this has not yet been confirmed.

Options

With trims and exact pricings still to be finalised, it is unclear at this stage what options customers will be offered to fully personalise their car. It is likely to be very similar, if not the same as the outgoing model. So, with that in mind, expect to see features such as a spacesaver spare wheel in place of a tyre repair kit, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium alarm system.

A Safety and Driving pack that introduces adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, forward collision warning including autonomous emergency braking, is also available as an optional extra across the whole outgoing Ibiza line-up.

Rival cars

The supermini sector is a fiercely competitive arena these days with some quality cars battling it out for sales. And, with yet another mild makeover, SEAT’s Ibiza will do well to get noticed against the likes of the VW Polo, Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio.

There will be a strong advertising campaign aimed at a younger audience with a nod back to 1984 when the first-generation Ibiza was launched. And the music will be a remastered version of the big hit of the year – a party anthem called Forever Young.

Verdict and next steps

We have always been fans of the SEAT Ibiza with its simplistic approach to life, neat styling and engaging handling. It seems to go about its business without too much fuss or any unnecessary fanfares.

But it is difficult to keep reinventing the wheel so to speak, and SEAT engineers and designers have certainly had their work cut out trying to freshen up a somewhat tired and dated Ibiza.

Yes, the design enhancements give it a slightly modern twist and there are some extra bits and pieces here and there, but the car does look jaded round the edges. Its bargain entry price should appeal to anyone on a tighter budget, but these days there are so many fresh models coming to market, so it may struggle to get noticed.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Seat Ibiza

**Correct as of 30/10/2025. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £2,150.82 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.