Used SEAT Ibiza ST (2010 - 2017) Review

The SEAT Ibiza ST estate arrived in early 2010 and it’s 180mm longer than the hatch model in which it’s based to help free up 430-litres of boot space. This makes it one of the most practical cars in this small sector of the market, while the Ecomotive model with its 1.2-litre turbodiesel engine also makes the Ibiza ST one of the lowest emitting cars in this sector for carbon dioxide emissions with a figure of just 92g/km. This puts the SEAT Ibiza ST in a strong position when compared to rivals from Peugeot, Renault and Skoda.

Small but practical estate

SEAT has put a good deal of effort into making the Ibiza ST more practical than the hatch model rather than just tack on a larger boot. The rear doors of the ST are longer than the hatch’s, so entry to the rear seats is easier and it makes loading kids into child seats less of a struggle. The boot has been designed with flat sides that make it easy to load with luggage or fit bigger cargo into with ease. A generous tailgate opening also makes it a cinch to fit in larger items without having to jemmy them in, while the low load sill and flat boot floor further aid practicality.

Frugal engines

There are four petrol and two turbodiesel engines to choose from with the Ibiza ST, though SEAT does not offer the punch 141bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel which seems a little odd given its suitability for load lugging. No matter, the 1.2-litre Ecomotive turbodiesel is a surprisingly adept engine in the ST thanks to its low-down shove and it suits the simple nature of this estate very well. If you intend to carry larger loads or a full complement of passengers on a regular basis, the 104bhp 1.6-litre tubodiesel is a better bet. For most buyers, however, the 1.4-litre petrol with 84bhp is more than up to job in most circumstances. If you fancy more oomph, the turbocharged 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI engines offer 104- and 148bhp for brisk performance. Only the entry-point 1.2 petrol with 69bhp feels short on puff in the Ibiza ST estate.

So if you’re looking for a small car with a lot of load capacity, this could be the car for you. To find out more, read on for our full and comprehensive SEAT Ibiza ST estate review.