Test Seat Ibiza Reference Plus 1.0 75 CV: the cheapest but without losing the essence

This week we have had the opportunity to try one of our country's best sellers in the most affordable version on the market: the Seat Ibiza Reference Plus 1.0 75 HP. But don't be fooled by the fact that it is the most basic of its range, despite this it offers equipment, a interior space and ride quality hard to beat in the compact category.

Good account of it gives his brake assist with pedestrian detector, its touch screen and the connectivity possibilities it offers. But where the little Ibiza in our test really stands out is in the interior space, which far exceeds the previous generation, as well as in the comfort and good behavior that its chassis has, both when driving calmly and when something more is demanded of it.

The Ibiza that resembles the Leon

As you can see in the images, the Ibiza has more common proportions than C-segment cars without an ass. This is mainly because your platform is the MQB A0 of the Volkswagen Group, who also use the Volkswagen Polo and the future Audi A1. Thanks to it, the wheelbase is greater, giving it the appearance of a larger car, without its measurements having been significantly modified. Now the Ibiza measures 4,06 m, just a few centimeters more than its predecessor.

The shapes of its nose and sides maintain the design lines followed by the Spanish brand. Although the same does not happen with the rear, which is where it has the most personality own. This is taken care of by the slits around the taillights and the black trim at the bottom of the rear bumper.

Correct interior without frills

Inside we find the shortcomings of the most basic finish of the Seat Ibiza: the Reference Plus. Almost all plastics are hard And there are details that make it look less than the top trims, like the door handles made of black plastic instead of chrome. Nevertheless, the general appearance of the car is quite good, thanks to its simple design and the presence of a touch screen as standard.

something we have Missed are details like the handles on the roof, although it is not something that everyone uses, and that the seat belts are not adjustable. The latter will be noticed more by people of short stature. The seats are adequate but without any fanfare. Its lateral support and softness are sufficient, although some improvement in these aspects would not hurt. Sports seats with superior finishes could be a good solution if you prefer to be more restrained.

Good equipment even in the most basic

The endowment in equipment of the Seat Ibiza is quite good. It has a touch screen from which you can control the music system, the on-board computer and the car settings. In this last menu various functions can be modified such as the behavior of the turn signals. For example, they can be set to flash three times with a light touch or to work in a conventional way.

Another of the outstanding standard equipment is the brake assist with pedestrian detection. This system warns if there is an obstacle ahead and, if the driver does not react, he brakes on his own to avoid the impact or minimize it. Its operation is very correct and does not interfere with driving, but you have to get used to the warning, which also sounds with obstacles that any attentive driver would see. However, it is a system can avoid us some other scare.

The unit we tested had some extras that improve the basic version. These are the 15-inch alloy wheels (400 euros), the metallic paint (450 euros), the heating for the seats (350 euros together with the ejectors) and the rear windows (150 euros). All of them are recommended if you want to enjoy certain comforts or a better appearance, although it may be more worthwhile to access the superior Style finish directly.

Spacious inside without growing outside

Another of the benefits of the MQB A0 platform is that, thanks to its longer wheelbase, It has much more space in the rear seats.. Especially in the height to the ceiling and in the space for the legs. We have been able to verify that can fit up to a 1,92m person in the rear seat with the driver's seat adjusted for a person of the same size.

The trunk is also one of the sections where the Ibiza has improved significantly. It now has a cargo volume of 355 litres. Which is typical of a car of a higher size category. For example, the Seat Leon II (previous generation) has a cargo volume 5 liters less than this Ibiza. In addition, it has some very usable shapes and you can put the bottom in two heights. Down to have all the space and up to have a flat load floor when the seats are folded down.

Driving behavior and sensations

The set-up of the Ibiza's suspension is surprisingly comfortable to overcome speed bumps or asphalt imperfections. Something that does not penalize its driving dynamics, since it behaves very precisely in curves. We have only noticed some oversteer when making sudden movements of the steering wheel at a considerable speed, but far from the needs for normal driving and even somewhat dynamic. The FR finish has a harder suspension that could further improve this aspect, perhaps penalizing the softness of the suspension.

The 1.0 hp 75 naturally aspirated engine

In addition to having a more basic finish, the unit we tested had the least powerful engine available for the Seat Ibiza. Its about 1.0 naturally aspirated engine with 75 hp. A good option if you are going to circulate in urban environments, but that is somewhat short for motorways or two-way roads where you have to do the odd overtaking.

If you are going to drive through these last environments it is better to opt for the 1.0 hp 95 TSI engine, not only because it has more power but because thanks to its turbo it pushes hard without having to rev the car. The 1.0 hp 75 around 3.900 rpm to circulate at 120 km / h, a regime too high to make this type of journey comfortably. Also, the TSI only represents a price increase of about 600 euros, so it is a highly recommended option if it falls within the budget, ahead of any of the extras that we have mentioned before.

Lack of oomph aside, the atmospheric 1.0 has a smooth and progressive operation very nice. Although it is a three-cylinder, only a few noticeable slight vibrations at idle and thanks to the insulation its sound is not heard too much in the cabin. It is to be appreciated that when we start the march the regime of revolutions ramps up on its own to 1.100 rpm, so if you don't want to, you don't need the footplay between the clutch and the accelerator (a function that is beginning to spread in cars from various manufacturers). Furthermore, even though it is the most basic It has Start/Stop as standard, which is highly recommended to function in the city.

Conclusion

The Seat Ibiza is one of the best options in the compact segment. He has not received any more note in this test just for engine performance, which limit its versatility for use in different conditions. This same unit with the 95 hp TSI engine would easily improve this rating to four and a half stars.

Regardless of the engine or the finish, the Seat Ibiza is a good car that demonstrates the enhancements derived from the MQB A0 platform. Its dimensions of habitability and trunk are so good, that they can even make more than one consider this car before a larger one. The only section that could prevent it is the width, which means that the space for the central square is quite scarce.

Equipment of the Seat Ibiza

Reference More

• Electrically adjustable exterior mirror
• Speed ​​limiter
• On-board computer
• USB + Aux-in
• Bluetooth
• Multifunction steering wheel 2 front reading lamps
• Fixation anchorage for child seat ISOFIX system
• Hill Start Assist
• emergency braking assistant

Style

• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Body-color mirrors and door handles
• On-board computer "Plus"
• Leather multifunction steering wheel
• 2 previous reading lamps
• Fog lights with cornering function

xcellence

• Electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, heated
• Front center armrest
• Drawer under chute seat
• rear parking sensor
• Ambient lighting
• Front and rear electric windows
• Fatigue detector
• Keyless-Entry central locking without security lock
• LED taillights
• Dual zone automatic climate control

FR

• 17-inch light-alloy wheels
• sports bumper
• SEAT Drive Profile

Seat Ibiza prices

Editor's opinion

Image gallery Seat Ibiza