Seat Ibiza FR 2.0 TDI CR 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The engine responds well to the accelerator, and the handling is excellent with plenty of grip. The steering is predictable, but doesn’t offer as much feedback as some rivals. The suspension is fairly supple and bumps and potholes are taken care of with ease. The driving position is comfortable with plenty of adjustment available, but rear visibility is limited by the small window.

Engine performance from the 2.0 litre diesel is good, with acceleration from 0-62mph taking place in a brisk 8.2 seconds. The top speed of 130mph is also good for a hatchback, but one area in which the car is let down is in the refinement when driving at speed. Wind noise is significant although the diesel engine isn’t too loud and road noise is well subdued.

The Seat Ibiza FR 2.0 TDI CR is a good looking car. The slanted headlight clusters and the grille offer a sporty look and the Ibiza's lines are smooth, with the roof sloping slightly towards the rear of the car. The back end is tidy and is also practical, with the large hatchback offering good access to the boot. Inside, the car looks functional rather than spectacular, but the controls are chunky and easy to use, apart from the stereo which is a little fiddly.

Alloy wheels are included as standard with this version, as are the power folding mirrors. The CD stereo is perfectly adequate, and there is also cruise control and climate control to ensure that the driving experience is comfortable. Considering the price of the car, it is disappointing that leather seats and satellite navigation are only on the optional extras list.

This is a small hatchback car, but it is still able to offer plenty of space to seat four adults fairly comfortably, with the only issue being a slight lack of rear legroom. The boot is a decent size, and the back seats do fold flat to offer a larger load space. Seat is owned by VW and shares the German firm's legendary reputation for reliability.

The Ibiza is a very safe car, having been awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test. It comes with a good range of airbags to look after the occupants in an accident, and also has ESP, ABS and traction control to ensure that the driver remains in control at all times.

The list price for the Seat Ibiza FR 2.0 TDI CR is £17,980 which is a very large amount of money for an Ibiza.

Running costs shouldn't be too high, with the 2.0 litre diesel engine delivering an impressive 60.1mpg on the combined cycle. Group 19 insurance is reasonable considering the power of the Ibiza FR, but depreciation will be an issue when it comes to selling. The Ibiza is supplied with a three year warranty and a two year roadside breakdown assistance policy, which is fairly typical for cars in this class.