• Two 1.0-litres petrols power the Ibiza range
• Responsive and good to drive
• No diesel or electric options

Petrol engines

There’s only one engine available for the Ibiza now, a 1.0-litre TSI petrol unit which can be specified in 95 or 115hp outputs. They come with a choice of manual or direct shift gearbox (DSG) automatic gearbox depending on which specification you choose too.

The less powerful engine is the turbocharged 1.0-litre with 95hp. It’s a punchy performer, with an eager response from the throttle and very smooth power delivery, and works really well with the slick-shifting five-speed manual gearbox. It’s more than comfortable on the motorway, and will even pull well up gradients without the need to change down a couple of gears.

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If you want something with a bit more poke, there’s a 110hp on offer too. It’s a great option for those regularly driving on the motorway as it comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. You’ll appreciate the extra gear, it allows the Ibiza to settle down at higher speeds.

In practice, it doesn’t feel massively quicker than the 95hp engine, though, but a lot of that comes down to how quiet the engines are.

The old entry-level 80hp engine has now been discontinued. It was an okay unit but struggled on anything more taxing than city driving. It also only came with a five-speed manual gearbox which harmed economy figures.

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All Ibizas come with a manual gearbox as standard and, whether it’s a five- or six-speed transmission. They’re a joy to use as the throw of the gear lever is nicely weighted and doesn’t feel overly light like many superminis have a tendency to, with an agreeable chunkiness to its action.

The optional seven-speed DSG is a smooth unit that’s worth the extra cash if you’re not keen on changing gears yourself. It’s mostly quick-shifting and smooth, and the paddle shifters are quite fun to use on a twisty road.

What’s it like to drive?

• Feels like a grown-up car
• Excellent ride, but still fun
• Steering is well-weighted

When the Ford Fiesta existed, all other superminis had to fight for second place when it came to the driving experience. Nothing could quite match the way the Fiesta blended a spirited drive that was also compliant and relaxed when you want it to be. With the demise of the Fiesta, the Ibiza stands out as a front-runner.  

The Ibiza does an excellent job and feels quite similar to the Fiesta when it comes to offering impressive ride comfort and tidy handling. Through a series of bends, the Ibiza feels composed with tight body control and well-weighted steering, providing enough feedback for the driver to know what’s going on beneath them.

The steering isn’t quite as communicative as a Fiesta, nor as quick to react to inputs, but this translates to a less frantic, more planted and mature feel on the road, which will likely appeal to those looking for something with a bit more balance.

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If you specify a sportier-looking Ibiza FR, sports suspension and larger 17-inch alloy wheels come as standard, with 18-inch wheels on FR Sport models. This makes the Ibiza even sharper, allowing for a sporty, involving drive that feels more akin to a Fiesta than regular Ibizas.

The upside is that there isn’t a huge compromise in terms of ride quality, either. It still offers a well-balanced ride overall, just with slightly tauter control when you’re driving that little bit more enthusiastically.

In reality, more Ibiza owners are going to be concerned with how easy it is to manoeuvre in town than how much fun you can have on a twisty country road, and the good news is its compact dimensions lend it to very stress-free urban driving.