The SEAT Ibiza 5dr 1.2 TSI SE has beaten two close rivals – the new Honda Jazz 1.3 HE Hybrid and Škoda Fabia 1.2 TDI GreenLine II – in Auto Express’s group test of green superminis.
“Our winner is the car that demands fewest sacrifices, and the SEAT is good to drive, frugal and clean,” said Auto Express. “If you divide your time between town, the open road and motorway, it’s the clear winner. It edges out the Škoda on economy, leaving the expensive hybrid Honda a disappointing third.
“The punchy 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is key to the SEAT’s appeal. Add in tidy handling, a straightforward cabin and competitive price, and it’s a clear winner.
“The supermini is a distinctive and good-looking choice, and has the sportiest profile in this test,” said Auto Express. “It does without the Škoda’s aero tweaks and the Honda’s garish light clusters, and is all the better for it. Plus, inside, the dash is simple and less fussy than in the Jazz, yet has more character than the Fabia’s layout.
“Hit the road and the SEAT underlines its top-value status with the most polished dynamic performance. The smooth 1.2 TSI gets the ball rolling because it’s the keenest engine here. At the test track, it took the car from 0-60mph five seconds faster than the Fabia, in 10.2 seconds, while in-gear responses were livelier, so it inspires more confidence when overtaking slower traffic.
“Key to the SEAT’s appeal is the way the unit matches the slick manual box. It suffers neither the Škoda’s gruff note nor the CVT Honda’s high-revving roar… The Ibiza feels more nimble than its rivals, with a lower centre of gravity than the Honda. There’s less body roll as a result, plus more front-end grip than the Škoda provides.
“But the acid test came at the pumps – as the sporty SEAT was more fuel efficient than the Jazz. And while it emits the most CO2, it still sits in the same company car tax bracket as the Honda.”
Read the full group test on the Auto Express web site.
Auto Express’s verdict
| Criteria | SEAT Ibiza 1.2 TSI SE | Škoda Fabia GreenLine II | Honda Jazz 1.3 HE Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Styling | 5/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Interior | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Driving | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Costs | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Green | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Verdict | 1 | 2 | 3 |
