SEAT Ibiza ST estate performance options revolve around a set of petrol and diesel engines.

Petrol engines

The 1.4-litre non-turbo petrol engine remains the most popular choice in the Ibiza ST estate, as it is in the hatch models. It offers 84bhp working through its five-speed manual gearbox to give 0-62mph in 12.4 seconds. The 1.4 is a much better choice than the 69bhp 1.2, which is too short on puff for most estate car duties. Rounding off the engine range are the 1.2- and 1.4-litre TSI turbo petrols with 104- and 148bhp. The 1.2 can be had with either a five-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, each offering similar acceleration and relaxed cruising. Opt for the 1.4 TSI and it only comes with a seven-speed DSG ’box and nippy 0-62mph time of 8.0 seconds. All of the engines are quiet, making the Ibiza ST a good choice for long distance trips.

Diesel engines

The 1.4 petrol engine may be popular, but a number of ST buyers choose the diesel options for their added lugging power. The punchy 1.6-litre turbodiesel has 104bhp at its disposal to serve up 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds. As the larger of the two diesel engines on offer, it also feels quick and relaxed working through its five-speed manual transmission. The 74bhp 1.2-litre turbodiesel engine suits the Ibiza ST well and comes in Ecomotive and standard forms to give 0-62mph in 14.6- and 14.9 seconds respectively. Not only is the Ecomotive model a little nippier, it’s also superbly frugal with 80.7mpg compared to the standard versions perfectly decent 70.6mpg. The Ecomotive is also easy on emissions with an output of 92g/km, while the standard 1.2 diesel offers 105g/km. Every diesel engine in the Ibiza ST range stays hushed on the move other than when accelerating hard.

Parkers recommends

If fuel economy is your sole motivation, the Ecomotive engine is a good choice, but we’d take the 1.6-litre turbodiesel for its greater suitability to estate car needs while still offering fine economy and low emissions.

Perhaps it is no surprise the Ibiza estate drives and feels like a bigger, heavy version of the hatch. It’s still decent to drive, but enthusiastic drivers might miss some of the three- and five-door’s agility. As small estates go, though, we can think of nothing that drives as well: a Skoda Fabia feels slightly cumbersome in comparison. The Ibiza’s FR trim improves things even further by adding sport suspension that reduces body roll and sharpens up steering responses.