2026 SEAT Ibiza Review, Specs, Features

2026 SEAT Ibiza Review, Specs, Features – In keeping with the brand’s image, the latest 2026 SEAT Ibiza has the perception of Volkswagen-like build quality and technology, coupled with some Spanish flair. The Ibiza sits as the exotic cousin of the VW Polo, and remains a solid offering in the ever-competitive supermini sector because it’s comfortable, is decent to drive, and surprisingly spacious inside.

In many ways, the Ibiza feels like a shrunken Leon (akin to how the VW Polo feels like a smaller VW Golf these days). A facelift in 2021 addressed some of the previous complaints of scratchy interior plastics and cheap-feeling cabin materials. This, along with a raft of high-end on-board tech and reasonable pricing, helps make the Ibiza a tempting proposition.

Despite its longevity (the Ibiza celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024), the future of SEAT’s supermini has been called into question recently by VW Group boss Thomas Schäfer, although a facelift of the model should launch in 2025.

2026 SEAT Ibiza Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior & Interior

Although the current 2026 SEAT Ibiza is a fraction (2mm) shorter than the old model, the MQB A0 platform means the wheelbase has extended by 95mm, so there’s much more space inside – SEAT says rear legroom is improved by 35mm, while the square-shaped boot is especially spacious at 355 litres.

More importantly, the car has got much wider – by 85mm – and it sits ever-so-slightly lower, giving it a sportier look on the road. That’s accentuated by the sharp creases along the sides, the narrow front lights with LED daytime running lights and more creases running down the bonnet. This is a seriously good-looking supermini.

The neat styling continues inside with more sharp lines around the dash and plenty of shoulder and headroom in the front and back. A six-foot passenger can just about sit behind a six-foot driver in reasonable comfort, but there’ll be plenty of room for three children across the back bench.

The facelifted Ibiza brings a revised interior and new levels of tech to help lift its appeal. Once sat in the driver’s seat, you’ll notice new soft-touch materials across the dash and extra chrome trim, while the redesigned air vents add LED illumination on FR and Xcellence trims. A leather-covered steering wheel and a black headlining also feature on higher-spec cars.

We found the multi-function steering wheel (controlling audio and cruise control) a little fiddly to use, but the Ibiza does keep physical dials for the air-con system, which are easier to operate on the move. A facelifted Ibiza is coming, and as a testament to the existing car’s pleasant design, it will broadly keep the same styling.

The Ibiza SE includes a 8.25-inch touchscreen, while all other trim levels come with a 9.2-inch version. All feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with integrated sat-nav available on SE Technology variants and above.

The smaller screen gets physical dials for the volume and shortcuts next to the unit, but the larger screen features a couple of touch-sensitive shortcuts running down the left-hand side of the display. These include the volume controls, but there is also a physical wheel on the steering wheel itself. Boot-up times are slow, yet once it’s loaded the system responds to commands quickly. There are areas which don’t seem particularly logical, though.

The colour display is clear and sharp, with the screen itself now in a more useful position than before, sitting slightly ahead of the dash. If you’re looking for digital instrumentation, you’ll need to upgrade to either the FR Sport or Xcellence Lux trims, which include the Digital Cockpit tech.

Lower down on the dash you’ll find three large rotary switches for the ventilation controls in SE spec, with FR and above getting more switches and buttons in this area. Of the two we actually prefer the cheaper trim level’s set-up.

2026 SEAT Ibiza Specs

Engine & Performance

The 2026 SEAT Ibiza engine range is now centred around a 1.0-litre TSI, three-cylinder petrol engine offering two different power outputs. The three-pot suits the car well, which is fortunate because the 1.5 TSI four-cylinder powerplant, which gave the car a bit of added zip, is no longer available. It’s a shame there’s no hot hatch Cupra-badged model to rival the Volkswagen Polo GTI, especially because there’s no more Hyundai i20 N or Ford Fiesta ST to battle against.

You’ll notice a characteristic three-cylinder thrum under acceleration, although at cruising speeds the engine is almost entirely inaudible and smooth. The 114bhp TSI is a great all-rounder, and we think it’s the best bet if you’re going to be regularly carrying passengers or luggage.

Handling is strong, with the Ibiza feeling much like a down-sized Leon from behind the wheel. There’s very little body roll, and while the ride is firm it isn’t uncomfortable, although bigger wheels do result in a touch more road noise and vibration. The brakes are strong and inspire confidence.

The six-speed manual is pretty good and certainly more precise than the gearshift action you get from Stellantis-group cars such as the Vauxhall Corsa. If you need an auto, a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto is available on the 114bhp 1.0-litre car for around an extra £1,100.

With the demise of the painfully slow non-turbo MPI engine, it’s the 94bhp (named 95PS) turbo model capable of a 0-62mph time of 10.9 seconds that kicks off the range. It offers decent in-gear acceleration while feeling brisk enough away from standstill, too.

The higher-powered 114bhp (115PS) DSG car will sprint from 0-62mph in a reasonable 10.3 seconds – helped by its 200Nm of available torque from 2,000rpm, and it feels better suited to motorway driving.

2026 SEAT Ibiza Fuel Economy

The 2026 SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TSI petrol engine offers good economy, even under the latest WLTP test procedure, thanks to a standard-fit stop-start function and a range of other efficiency measures.

Maximum economy (on the combined cycle) for the TSI 94bhp version is quoted at 55mpg, with the most powerful 114bhp car returning 51.7mpg in manual form and 51.2mpg when paired with the seven-speed DSG auto. However, all of these figures will be dependent on spec, because fitting larger wheels and accessories, or going for a higher trim with more kit (thus adding weight), will have a negative impact on economy. CO2 emissions range from 117g/km for the 1.0-litre TSI SE version, to 128g/km for the 114bhp TSI variant in Xcellence Lux trim.

2026 SEAT Ibiza Safety Features

SEAT has had a mixed time of things in our Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. Over the years, the maker has never raised itself out of the bottom half of the manufacturer ranking, although a 15th-place finish out of 30 manufacturers in the 2021 Driver Power poll of best brands was more encouraging. However, results in 2022 saw a slip back to 17th spot, with a lowly 23rd position achieved in 2023.

The 2026 SEAT Ibiza is a safe place to be, with every model featuring an autonomous emergency braking function, Lane Assist and a tiredness recognition system. SEAT does offer two individual safety packs at extra cost, with the most comprehensive option (£395) featuring adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, a road sign display and a lane keeping system with traffic jam assist. Euro NCAP awarded the Ibiza a five-star safety rating in 2022. This included an 83 per cent score for adult occupant protection and 82 per cent for child passenger safety.

2026 SEAT Ibiza Release Date & Price

Following the demise of the Ford Fiesta, the Ibiza does battle with the Renault Clio for the honour of being the most entertaining supermini currently on sale, while cars such as the Mazda 2 and Peugeot 208 play the sporty card. Elsewhere, the VW Polo and Citroen C3 are quality alternatives, and the Skoda Fabia, Vauxhall Corsa and Honda Jazz all offer great ability, along with the reliable Hyundai i20 and Toyota Yaris.

All 2026 SEAT Ibizas are five-door hatchbacks, with prices starting from a shade under £20,000 – roughly £1,000 less than its VW Polo cousin. With SE being the entry point to the range, there is no basic model in the line-up. All cars get alloy wheels, a touchscreen DAB radio with smartphone connectivity, metallic paint and a suite of modern safety kit as standard.

Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.