Ibiza ST is a smooth operator

The Seat Ibiza ST was well able for the Wicklow Mountains

If it’s opulence you’re looking for in a car then step away from the Seat Ibiza ST now, however, if it’s a stylish looking car and a bloody good drive you’re after then you’re in luck.

While I thought the Ibiza ST Style’s dull interior didn’t match its personality, it has to be said that the model I was driving, one up from the basic model, did have cruise control, both back and front electric windows, air conditioning, USB, electric wing mirrors and a full sized spare wheel.

The interior was roomy and spacious and being an estate, or a sports tourer, of course, it also had a very big boot, which can be made even bigger by lowering the rear seats.

However, what I was very impressed with was how the five speed manual 1.2l petrol model drove.

The Ibiza ST is way more fun than its interior suggests

While I wasn’t overly fond of the diesel model I road tested last year, the petrol version is a totally different kettle of fish.

I took it for a punishing spin across the Wicklow Mountains and through the Sally Gap and it was well able for the mountainy territory, displaying a lot more poke than I was expecting.

Because the ST is such a long car, I would have liked parking sensors but despite this, it did well in a three-point turn on a narrow country road.

It was also nice and smooth and exceptionally nimble in city driving, and showed lovely acceleration on the motorway, having no problem getting to 120kph.

Overall, while the ST has a very stylish looking exterior, I thought its really basic looking interior doesn’t do justice to what turned out to be a really enjoyable drive.

The Seat Ibiza is available now, with prices starting from €13,435 for the 1.2l 70bhp Special Edition. The ST model I was driving costs from €20,215.

Tech Spec
Engine: 1.2l petrol (104bhp)
Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 14.5seconds
Top speed: 168km/h
Combined Fuel Consumption: 5.3l/100km
CO2 Emissions: 124g/km
Annual road tax: €225 (Band B)
Transmission: 5-speed manual

A version of this article first appeared in Metro Herald