Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr Pre-Model Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £17,480
Tax Band: D
Insurance Group: 19
MPG: 60.1
CO2: 123
0-62 Mph: 8.2 secs
BHP: 141 BHP
Range: 595 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.5/5
The Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr is a solid, reliable, safe and dependable choice. The purchase price is good and the running costs are low, but the performance is nothing to get excited about, despite it having a much bigger engine than the other Ibiza versions. For a practical city coupe, the SC FR 2.0 TDI is great, but for those who want more out of the car and a bit of fun behind the wheel, this is not a suitable option.

PROS:  A capable city smart supermini with low running costs and at a very reasonable purchase price for a bigger engine than other Ibiza coupes.

CONS:  The Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr doesn’t quite live up to its snazzy exterior, especially when on the open road. The price is much higher than a lot of the other Ibiza models.

Behind the Wheel

The Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr is stable, safe and grips the road, but it is not particularly refined. Overall, the Seat Ibiza lacks some much-needed sharpness.

The Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr does a perfectly good job for a family sized vehicle and is everything a modern coupe should be. In terms of power, the FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr has a larger engine size than that of the others in its range. The 1968 cc engine offers 236 lb-ft at 1750 rpm, which makes for an unexpected top speed of 130 mph. The Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr offers more of a kick on the open road and still handles itself well at subordinate speeds. 0-62 mph can be reached in 7.2 seconds, which is faster than the other Seat models in its class.

The Ibiza offers a hassle-free drive in the city but tends to struggle a little on your average B road. There is no question of the Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr’s overall competence and it is one of the best performers in the Ibiza range, but still lacks a little sharpness in the handling.

Looks & Equipment

If you want something that stands out from the crowd, then the FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr might be right up your street.

The interior is comfortable and reasonably well finished. It also comes with a decent amount of kit. Equipment that comes as standard includes air conditioning, alloy wheels, electric front mirrors, electric door mirrors, cruise control, a CD player and MP3 connectivity.

The six-speaker radio offers a decent sound; this is also available with a pre-ordered USB/iPod connection.

On top of this, buyers can also add optional extras such as Bluetooth, rear-parking sensors, stability control and metallic paint. There is also the choice of a specified cradle, which has been designed to hold a modern sat-nav.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr comes in the shape of a sturdy and well-built car that uses good quality materials. It is a very reliable vehicle and offers a 3-year warranty on 60,000 miles.

The Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr has plenty of inner space for a supermini. Five adults will fit in the coupe with no problem, although the rear leg room is a little cramped and four adults will be more comfortable. At 236 litres, the boot also offers reasonable space for everyday use.

The Seat Ibiza comes with driver, passenger and front side airbags, as well an alarm and immobiliser, all fitted as standard.

Value for Money

The Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr has a price tag of £17,480, which is higher than other Ibiza coupes, but you pay for that extra engine size. Running costs stay low with the diesel engine producing a combined average of 60.1 mpg and CO2 emissions of 123 g/km, which is very reasonable given the larger engine size than the other models in the range.

The Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR is good coupe for running around town and with a more power on top of the others in the Ibiza range, for many it will make the extra costs worthwhile. However, for the truly money conscious, the smaller engines will suffice.

Seat Ibiza SC FR 2.0 TDI CR 3dr Pre-Model Car Review - by 
All Seat Ibiza Reviews
Seat Ibiza SC E 1.2 12v 3dr - March 2012
The Seat Ibiza SC E is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a practical but inexpensive small family car. Affordable, a good performer and spacious enough for four plus luggage, it offers goo...
Seat Ibiza SC S Copa 1.2 12v 3dr - March 2012
The Seat Ibiza SC S Copa 1.2 12v 3dr comes in the shape of a competent supermini. Although it offers a smart exterior, the Seat Ibiza SC S Copa 1.2 12v 3dr doesn’t however quite live up to those sm...
Seat Ibiza SC S Copa 1.2 TDI CR Ecomotive 3dr - March 2012
The Seat Ibiza SC S Copa 1.2 TDI CR Ecomotive 3dr is an environmental champion and emits under 100g/km, so there is no road tax to pay. The performance is nothing special though and the efficie...
Seat Ibiza SC Sportrider 1.4 16v 3dr - February 2012
The Seat Ibiza is a small hatchback that is designed for those who are looking for practicality and reliability in a cheap package, and with the Sportrider package it is a toe in the water of the h...
Seat Ibiza SC Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr - March 2012
The Seat Ibiza SC Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr offers an affordable and economical vehicle with a sporty appearance. However, the appearance is misleading and the Ibiza SC is quite slow and the p...
Comments
Medium Family Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Medium Family cars that you can then compare to the Seat Ibiza. Here are some popular Seat Ibiza alternatives:

NEW RELEASE
Jeep Avenger revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
Ferrari Purosangue revealed
NEW RELEASE
Ford Mustang revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
New BMW M2 has been revealed
NEW RELEASE
Electric SUV coming soon
NEW RELEASE
Popular hatchback gets an update