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Seat Ibiza Gallery
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| DRIVING RATING: |
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In the VW Group way of things, the Ibiza puts in a competent all-round performance here. The variable-assist electro-hydraulic power steering is light at parking speeds, but weights up on the open road in a confidence inspiring way; the gearshift is precise and easy; and all controls are easy to find and use - except for the multi-buttoned, and easily confused, stereo and optional Climatronic controls stacked one above the other.
Shorter drivers will, however, find it hard to judge the whereabouts of the rounded and invisible nose unless they set the seat unnaturally high.
Building on the encouraging feel of the Polo and given the Agile Chassis Concept, the Ibiza should be a riot to drive. But, apart from the FR and Cupra models, it isn't.
There's plenty of grip and the steering feels quite meaty, but the responses are too rubbery and there's not enough tightening of the cornering line when you decelerate to please the keen, interaction-craving driver. In essence, the Ibiza feels like a firmer-riding Polo, which is fine in itself but falls short of the marketing promise.
The 1.4-litre, 100 bhp petrol Ibiza has tidier, crisper handling than the two TDIs, which feel nose-heavy and want to drift to the outside of a tight bend. But the 130 bhp version is entertainingly and effortlessly rapid in a straight line.
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