Lanky Legs And Small Cars Don't Usually Mix, But I'm Making A Rare Exception For The Seat Ibiza

The Seat Ibiza is a great car, but I’m going to start this long-term update on a slightly negative note. You see, at six foot tall I’m not spectacularly towering, but 90 per cent of my height is in my legs. The problem with a car like the Ibiza, then, comes when I try to find a driving position that isn’t painfully awkward. And the Ibiza is no exception…

The wheel is adjustable, sure, but it doesn’t come quite far enough towards me to compensate for how far back I need the seat to get my pins comfortable. The compromise involves the back of my legs not resting on the seat, which makes long distances less pleasant - I’m so far back, in fact, that I’m directly beside the B-pillar, rather than the door. As Alex recently found out when he drove the car to Scotland and back, it’s a great and comfortable cruiser if you’re…ahem…vertically challenged, but not so good for the rest of the world. Sorry, Alex.

Another minor issue I encountered is that there aren’t enough cubby holes. There are three cup holders, but when you have drinks on the go there’s nowhere to put your phone/wallet etc.

But, in all fairness, once I grow accustomed to my surroundings, I love everything else. The interior on this FR edition looks great and is well specced, even if it does suffer from the old ‘red stitching = sporty’ problem seen in so many cars; I find the red seatbelts a little garish. The Garmin multimedia system works fairly well, with Bluetooth connecting quickly and clear navigation. The only gripe is that the menus aren’t exactly intuitive, meaning that I’ve spent many frustrated minutes flicking between them to find what I want.

But it’s the performance that really impresses. The 1.4-litre four pot’s acceleration makes it feel like it has more than the advertised 140hp. In FR spec, the Ibiza sits on smart 17s, and the car has absolutely no trouble breaking their traction. Turn off the aids and you can get the wheels spinning easily. Even with the help on, the impressive power delivery on a damp roundabout makes for an interesting exit.

One of the other issues I have with driving smaller cars fast is that they often feel overly alert, responding to steering wheel inputs with the enthusiasm of a Border Collie pup playing with its favourite chew toy. There is an element of this here, but once you get over its darty nature you can carry a lot more speed than you’d expect.

Quick progress does take restraint, however. The front axle isn’t the most sophisticated bit of kit, and any attempt to push the throttle mid corner will result in tyres squealing in disdain. Given the Leon Cupra’s front differential heroics it’s a bit of a shame here, but the FR’s sporty credentials are mostly cosmetic so I guess it should be forgiven.

It’s also a brilliant city runabout. Parking is a cinch, with good visibility all round and compact dimensions. I came to the Ibiza after a weekend with the Jaguar XFR-S, and while I’d naturally take the big cat back in a heartbeat, it was refreshing being able to fit into a traditional parking spot with ease.

I’ve enjoyed the Ibiza a lot more than I was expecting. Even though I struggle for leg room, the interior is in no way claustrophobic, and it’s pacey enough for the vast majority of situations. Its Active Cylinder Technology, which turns off cylinders when driving slowly to improve economy, works brilliantly and imperceptibly. Trips to the petrol station are a rare thing indeed. Decent performance and frugal? Seat, you’re spoiling us!

Keep an eye out for more updates about what it’s like to live with an Ibiza, as we’ve got this one for a few more months. If there’s anything you’d like to know, hit us up in the comments below!