SEAT Ibiza ST (2010 – 2017) Review
SEAT Ibiza ST (2010 – 2017) At A Glance
If you want a small estate car your choice is fairly limited. In fact, aside from the Skoda Fabia Estate, buyers are more or less restricted to one model – the SEAT Ibiza ST. Thankfully that’s no bad thing – it’s easy to drive, comfortable, practical, reasonably cheap to buy and affordable to run. As transport for a small family it’s ideal.
Boot space is generous at 430 litres with the rear seats in place – 160 litres more than the five-door hatch. The load area is low but it does have a lip, which can make loading heavy items tricky, while folding the rear seats completely flat is a bit of a fiddle - but doing so frees up a total of 1164 litres. The rear row of seats is fine for adults at a push, but knee room is a little tight with taller occupants up front. This won’t be a problem for children, though.
Initially launched in 2010, the Ibiza ST has been lightly revised with new engines and equipment several times over the years. From 2015 the entire Ibiza range had a comprehensive overhaul, with a new, high quality dashboard design inspired by the bigger Leon, along with new customisation options including a variety of colour packs, plus new, cleaner engines.
The best of these for most buyers is the 1.0-litre 95PS EcoTSI petrol, which has official fuel economy of 68.9mpg and emissions of 94g/km. Despite its small displacement it suits the Ibiza ST perfectly thanks to 160Nm of torque from just 1500rpm, making for smooth, responsive, quiet progress whether in stop-start town traffic or on the motorway.
In total there are five petrol options with outputs from 75PS. The most powerful is a reasonably potent 1.4-litre with 150PS, available in sporty FR trim. Alternatively there are frugal diesel engines with outputs from 75PS to 105PS, but they’re pricier and louder than the petrols. Those who need an automatic are restricted to the 1.4-litre 90PS diesel with seven-speed DSG.
Standard equipment includes air conditioning, roof rails and a small touchscreen with USB connectivity. Buyers who want luxuries like alloy wheels or Bluetooth will have to tick a few options boxes or pick a higher trim level, but thankfully that isn’t too expensive with the Ibiza ST – and there are some great extras including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There is a proverbial thorn in the Ibiza’s side in the form of the cheaper, more recent Skoda Fabia Estate, but the Ibiza has a broader engine range and sportier styling. For buyers who need a compact yet spacious family-friendly estate car the SEAT Ibiza ST is ideal, but it’s certainly worth trying the newer Skoda before making a final decision.
Real MPG average for a SEAT Ibiza ST (2010 – 2017)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
79%
Real MPG
32–77 mpg
MPGs submitted
245
Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.
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