Seat Ibiza SC Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr Car Review - March 2012

The Seat Ibiza SC Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr is stable, safe and grips the road well. However, it doesn’t feel too refined and lacks some much-needed sharpness.

The Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr does a perfectly good job for an entry-level vehicle and is everything a modern family coupe should be, but it lacks poise and pizzazz.

In terms of power, the small 1197 cc engine allows for 104 bhp and 129 lb-ft at 1550 rpm of torque power, with a top speed of 118 mph. It travels from 0-62 mph at 9.7 seconds. This shrill engine gives the supermini a sharp turn of pace through a frustratingly slow seven-speed DSG gearbox.

The Seat Ibiza Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr offers a hassle-free drive in the city but tends to struggle a little on your average B road. The sportiness of this model offers ultra-firm suspension, which can make driving the UK roads an uncomfortable experience.

The Seat Ibiza Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr is certainly stylish enough to be flaunted on the city streets for which it was designed.

The interior is not only comfortable, but it is also 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, rear parking sensors, 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 leather seats and metallic paint. There is also the choice of a specified cradle, which has been designed to hold a modern sat-nav.

The Seat Ibiza Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr comes in the shape of a sturdy and well-built car that uses good quality materials.

In terms of roominess, the Seat Ibiza Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr shoots straight to the top of the supermini charts for inner space. Two adults can quite comfortably sit in the front and although the space is a little tighter in the back, you certainly wouldn’t struggle to fit in four adults in total. The boot also offers fairly good space at 284 litres, which means you can get the shopping in with ease too.

The Seat Ibiza Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr comes fitted as standard with a driver, passenger and front side airbags as well central locking, an alarm and immobiliser, which will certainly help to deter thieves.

The Seat Ibiza Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr is a reliable vehicle and offers a 3-year warranty on 60,000 miles.

The Seat Ibiza Sportrider 1.2 TSI DSG 3dr has a competitive price of £14,165. Running costs stay low thanks to the small capacity engine, with a combined average of 53.3 mpg and CO2 emissions of 124 g/km.

It is a practical coupe, but the performance is not as good as the Sportrider trim might suggest, so if you have a need for speed, consider another car.