Review SEAT Ibiza Cupra hatchback

"Fitted with an excellent 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged 178bhp engine, The Spanish Ibiza Cupra offers strong performance in a stylish body" The SEAT Ibiza Cupra is a competitively-priced supermini hot-hatch that features a long list of specs and some very clever technology. The Spanish supermini's main rivals include the Vauxhall Corsa VXR and Renaultsport Clio. Fitted with VW's excellent 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged 178bhp engine the little SEAT is capable of 0-62mph in a very grown up 7.2 seconds. It also shares the Volkswagen Polo GTI's seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox along with steering wheel mounted shift paddles. Available in a range of eye-catching colours the body is fitted with a sporty bodykit, including a central-exit exhaust and large 17-inch alloy wheels. Drive4.4 /5 The Ibiza Cupra provides an enjoyable drive The 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged engine delivers plenty of torque at low revs and sound great too. Performance is also strong, with 0-62mph taking 7.2 seconds. Around corners, the Cupra displays good body control while the steering offers limited feedback. The optional DSG transmission is smooth, providing seamless gearchanges on the upshift, but it does kick down aggressively when the throttle is pushed to the floor. Comfort4.2 /5 Tall rear passengers will struggle to get comfortable on longer journeys The SEAT's ride proves quite comfortable, offering good refinement on a longer journey. Wind noise is very low on motorways. Couple this to a safe chassis and you have a fast car that's very easy to live with, if not as grown-up as the VW Polo on which it's based. Those in the front have plenty of space, while back seat passengers will feel short changed on longer journeys. Reliability4.4 /5 The Ibiza features many VW Group parts The dash top is stylish, being made from spongy plastic, but the majority of the cabin is made of hard scratchy plastic. The Ibiza uses plenty of VW Group parts, so reliability shouldn’t be an issue. Neither will safety, as the Ibiza has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, featuring front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control as standard. Practicality3.9 /5 Style has taken precedence in the cabin SEAT's cabin designers have put style ahead of practicality, with limited storage, average sized glovebox and door pockets. The three-door's boot is slightly smaller than the five-door's 292-litre space, but will comfortably swallow a week's worth of shopping. Rear seat space is not great compared to rivals like the Fiesta and Polo, with limited shoulder room. Value for money4.5 /5 Cheaper than Volkswagen's Polo GTI Designed to appeal to younger buyers, the Ibiza is well equipped with a range of lively colours and styling additions available, such as the Bocanegra version which gets a black plastic front end and extra detailing. The option of a clever dock on the dashboard top is available, in which you can integrate an aftermarket sat-nav unit. Air conditioning comes as standard on Cupra models, as does ESP anti-skid control, Bluetooth and USB port. The optional Convenience Pack features rear parking sensors, automatic lights, rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rear view mirror for an additional £245. Running costs4.0 /5 Impressively low for a hot hatch The 1.4-litre supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine performs well on the economy front, offering 44.1mpg on a combined cycle with fairly low insurance rates and good residual values. Annual Road Tax will cost owners £130. With VW parts the Ibiza will prove to be an inexpensive car to run and service.