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By Jonathan Crouch

The fifth generation of SEAT's Ibiza supermini has upped its game in this revised form, with smarter looks, more equipment and extra technology. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 47

This improved version of the fifth generation SEAT Ibiza supermini offers small car buyers a smarter set of more media-savvy talents. It'll need them if it's to distance itself from its Volkswagen and Skoda design stablemates and continue as a credible alternative in this tightly fought segment.

Backgroundword count: 187

'Enjoyneering'. It's one of those marketing words of course, but it's also a rather apt description of what Spanish maker SEAT sets out to create when it brings us a small car. Something beautifully engineered: but with a bit of extra Latin sparkle. Something like this, the Iberian brand's much improved fifth generation Ibiza supermini? Perhaps. The 'beautifully engineered' bit isn't difficult to believe. The 'Sociedad Espanola de Automoviles de Turismo' - or 'SEAT' as we better know it - is well used to injecting a little life into the mainstream market. In this case, the Spanish maker's position within the Volkswagen Group means that this car was the first of the conglomerate's supermini models to get the empire's sophisticated MQB A0 small car platform, something that enables weight savings and the addition of extra electronic features borrowed from larger models. Plus SEAT reckons that with this revised MK5 model, buyers will really notice the extra media options, the smarter interior and the additional safety provision incorporated this time round. Will it all be enough to keep this car current against more recent rivals? Let's find out.

Driving Experienceword count: 230

On the move in this Ibiza, SEAT hopes one of the first things you'll notice is this model's 'big car' feel, something particularly evident in its rigid, rattle-free roadgoing demeanour. In part, this comes courtesy of the stiff MQB A0 chassis. That in turn means flat cornering and benefits ride quality that's un-bettered in this class. We're slightly less sure about SEAT's decision to extend that same 'big car' feel to the steering which, as a consequence, is a tough lighter than some really enthusiastic drivers might like. The good news though, is that you still get enough feedback through your fingertips to keep you well informed on how well the front tyres are gripping on faster, twistier roads. Bottom line? If you'd ideally want a supermini with the spaciousness of a Skoda Fabia or a Honda Jazz and would like the sharp handling of a Fiesta and the supple ride of a Volkswagen Polo, you'll get closer to it with this SEAT than with any other class contender we can think of. SEAT has had a good look at the engine range. It's now all petrol-powered - and all based around a 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder turbo powerplant which produces either 95 or 110PS. The feebler engine gets a six-speed manual gearbox, with 7-speed DSG auto transmission available on most variants with the 110PS unit. Diesels have now been dropped.

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