Road test: Seat Ibiza 1.5 liter FR
The facelift of the Ibiza gives it a refreshing shot in the right places and more importantly equips it with advanced safety accessories.
First round in the 1.5-liter FR version
Keenan Cohen
27/12/2021
Monday, 27 December 2021, 13:36 Updated: 16:41
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Within the quartet of models in the Volkswagen Group's super mini group, the Seat Ibiza has always had the younger and sportier appeal.
The Volkswagen Polo is the decent one, the one your mom will drive, the useful but solid Skoda Fabia goes well with the Aunt, and the Audi A1, well, let's not talk about who buys the Audi A1.
This car, which is the fifth-generation best-selling Spanish car, was introduced in 2017, and was the first to make use of the group's MQB A0 platform, before its sisters.
But when it comes to appearance, business can be said to remain fresh in appearance.
With the color, rims and additions of the FR version it still does the job.
No longer the last word, but progressing with time (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
The Ibiza's driver environment relies on the base of the pre - facelift generation, but has undergone a series of updates that allow it to pull in a bit more time even though competitors like the Peugeot 208 for example are already opening up a real gap.
Some of the upholstery, such as the top of the dashboard, has been used for softer materials.
The FR trim level which is the most equipped also has leg lighting for front passengers, parking sensors also front and camera, driving mode selector, multimedia system increased to 9.2 inches (8.25 in others also, increased from pre-facelift model) with compatibility for Apple and Android, skylight Panoramic, full LED lighting, round air vents are lit.
Externally there are also various exhaust ports, black side mirrors and 18-inch rims.
Those who want a little more can add the Red Pack Plus package with a full digital dashboard, Beats audio system, red brake calipers and belts with red stitching.
The price for the package - NIS 8,900.
Improved materials, larger screen (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
As before, the driving position is good and it is very easy to get around and operate the systems here.
It has two problems in the field of human engineering: the lack of a volume control button but mainly the price paid by the cabin on the larger screen - the air vents go down to the half-mast for a non-ideal location.
In the back seat, despite its not young age, the remote space is still beautiful for a super mini.
There is space but no unusual indulgence.
The seat itself is simple and rigid, it is also short and low, so that the adult is created to bend his knees while sitting here.
There is nothing to talk about soft upholstery in the doors or lighting in the back.
The trunk will be quite enough for a young family, 355 liters are a nice volume for a super mini and as a bonus it is also well equipped with anchor rings, two hooks and a side strap for fixing.
Spacious, but the materials are basic in their level (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
More than inches in multimedia screens or such and other convenience equipment updates, the significant and most important change in Ibiza is actually hidden from view.
The car has undergone a quite significant line upgrade and alignment when it comes to safety systems.
Mobilai's local and passive warning system will no longer be here, now it has a distance warning system including emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure correction, adaptive cruise control and more.
Also as mentioned it is also with front and rear parking sensors and a reverse camera.
Good volume and useful accessories (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
In the distant past, the FR versions were the performance version and above them were the end versions, the Copra.
Today the representation of these two letters has been reduced to a mainly level of finish, one that rides on the aura of the past and with some sporty design features.
This version is the only one offered with the group's 1.5-liter engine.
The power is 150 hp and the torque is 25.5 kg.
It's quite a lot for a super mini car and the results accordingly.
The 1.5-liter Ibiza is a nimble car to respond to when you press the pedal and the combination with the dual-clutch gearbox suits it.
On the other hand it also knows how to be economical when needed with a two-cylinder detachment mechanism on a cruise for example.
We exaggerated a bit with the 18-inch, didn't we? (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
Along with the performance and low-cut tires of this version come two things.
The first is a compromise when it comes to ride comfort - especially when it's slow, urban or on sharp disruptions.
The decrease in ride comfort is also related to the hard calibration of the shock absorbers but no less so than the excessively low 40-inch rims.
The second thing you get is a pretty fun car to drive, it's not as compact and hot on full as those who've been around here before, such as the Renault Clio Sport or Peugeot 208GTI.
But more of a car that gives a little more pepper to a super mini that is good at its core.
The steering is fast, its responses to good weight transfers and the grip is the kind that can be managed well when you want to move fast or disconnect the rear by leaving the throttle or dragging the brake in front of it when you want to.
Reasonable fuel consumption relative to the performance and capabilities of the car, we finished the test days with 12.4 km per liter.
Exhaust ports unique to the FR version (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
In conclusion, the facelift of the Seat Ibiza manages to keep it in the game for a few more years.
It still looks good, the updates in the cabin (which I did not like all of them) meet what people want (more inches in multimedia).
This engine also gives a very nice dose of performance that is connected to a pretty fun car to drive.
True, this version, with the more powerful engine and armature is really not the bread and butter of sales of this model.
The significant numbers are brought by the cheaper 1.0-liter versions.
And if we said cheaper then this is also the place to talk about the price.
This Ibiza is not cheap at all, although it has no direct competition, but NIS 125,000 for a mini car is a considerable sum.
And as with the taut Volkswagen Polo, it will still target the brand’s ardent fans rather than the general public.
More on Walla!
Road test: The new Seat Leon (1.5 liters, style)
To the full article
On the technical side: Seat Ibiza 1.5 liter FR
Engine, propulsion:
petrol, turbo, front
volume (cc):
1,498
power / rpm (hp):
5,000 / 150
torque / rpm (kg):
1,500 / 25.5
Transmission:
dual clutch , 7 gears
Dimensions:
Length (cm):
406
Width (cm):
178
Height (cm):
144
Wheelbase (cm):
255
Trunk (liters):
355
Performance:
Acceleration 0- 100:
8.2 seconds
Maximum speed:
216 km / h
Fuel consumption (test):
12.4 km per liter
Competitors:
not direct: Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, Volkswagen Polo
Price:
125 thousand shekels
vehicle
Vehicle tests
Tags
Seat
seat Ibiza
Ibiza
Seat Ibiza FR
Champion Motors
Super mini
