New 2026 Seat Ibiza Facelift Review
- Feb 20
- 5 min read
Is this the best comeback for a company or is this just keeping the life support on for Seat?
Exterior – Front
So, lets start with the front of the new Ibiza and to start with it has a completely different front end design than what we are used to. To start with we get a thin but wide new grill with a mesh pattern and a curvier layout which feels very modern and makes the car feel wider. We also get a new set of headlights with a pointier design and a new triangle daytime running light graphic that makes the car look like it has eyebrows which is quite interesting. Lower down on the central air vent we get this aggressive design like what the pre-facelift Corsa had. To the side of this we get a new set of thin side vents which are real. Finally, we also get a new bonnet design to finish the new front end off.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side of the new Seat Ibiza and there are no physical changes to talk about apart for some new colour and wheel options. they aren’t the most modern looking wheels, but they still look fresh and keep the car feeling up to date.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and just like the front we do get some changes. to start with the taillights are the same as before as too is the Seat badge but the Ibiza badge and FR badge have this dark chrome grey effect to it which makes it feel a bit more modern but also unique because most brands either do silver or black. The bumper is the thing that has changed though. To start with this has a similar aggressive style to the front central air vent. This does make it feel a bit cheap because there is a lot of matt black plastic, but it does make it unique as most companies don’t do that anymore. We also get a fake lower diffuser and some fake exhausts but overall, it is a sporty looking car. right, let’s have a look and see what engine and gearbox options you can have with the new Seat Ibiza Facelift.
Car and engine specs and price
So, for the Seat Ibiza Facelift there are 2 engine options available. lets start with the base model. This uses a 1.0 TSI Turbo Petrol unit with 94 bhp. this can be had with a 5-speed manual and power is sent to the front wheels. 0-62 is delt within 10.9 seconds so it isn’t too bad for a base model. The next version that is available is the same engine, but the power has been increased to 114 bhp and can be ha with either a 6-speed manual or a 7 Speed Automatic DSG gearbox. This can do 0-62 in 9.8 seconds which again isn’t too bad really. Unfortunately, we won’t be getting the 1.5 Litre Turbo TSI with 148 bhp or the hotter 174 bhp version found in the Fabia 130 but other markets will receive those engines. I can understand why because it will eat into Cupra’s territory. What we should be getting is a set of mild hybrid engines that will be released in 2027 which will be interesting to see as I can see this to help to restart the brand. Right, the price of the new Seat Ibiza Facelift starts at £20,995 which actually undercuts the Skoda Fabia which is quite interesting as that used to be the cheapest out of the 3. Anyway, lets have a look and see what the interior is like.
Interior – Design
So, climbing inside the new Seat Ibiza and there isn’t really that many big changes to talk about. Really the main changes and a few new graphics on the infotainment system and instrument cluster as well as some new trim panels and materials. This means we get a decent designed dashboard with a shelf design. The infotainment system is the older style unit, but it does work quite well but it has been upgraded so you can now have a premium sound system. We also have the same steering wheel as before too and we still get some physical climate control buttons and a physical gear shifter which is quite rare now adays especially this proper hand brake too for some great handbrake turns. One fairly big change though is that we get these sports bucket seats like what the Cupra models get. This is a nice addition as it does make the Seat feel a bit more special but also it’s quite rare to find a supermini with sports bucket seats. A very nice addition then. Right, lets have a look and see what the rear seats are like.
Practicality
So, climbing into the back of the new Seat Ibiza Facelift and there is no surprise that legroom and headroom is the same as before. it isn’t the best for an adult, but they can do a decent journey in it. Anyone over my height of 6 foot 2 will struggle. Sadly, we don’t get any creature comforts in the back like USB C ports, like what the Polo has for example and the Corsa. It also feels quite claustrophobic in the back too because of these sport bucket seats on the FR models. They are comfy but not the best for rear passengers. Also, there is a lot of cheap plastics in the back too. right, let’s have a look and see what the boot space is like.
Boot Size
Now, one thing that the seat was good for was the boot size but that is because the German Volkswagen Group cars always have had a big boot. This is no different here as the boot stands at 355 litres which is very decent. Folding the seats down 60:40 split and this expands to 1,165 litres. You also can have an adjustable boot floor too which is quite useful to hide items.
Summary
So, in summary then what do I think of the new Seat Ibiza Facelift. well, the design on the outside is different enough to call it a new model but the interior is the same as before which is no negative. Practicality is about the same as other rivals too which is good. The only question that does worry me is that is this enough to help Seat become relevant again like it was 5 years ago. Well, it is a start which is something, but I do hope there will be more things to come with bigger facelifts to the Leon and the new Hybrid Engines. Now is the time for Seat to push higher than its competition more than ever.
Exterior 3/5
Interior 3/5
Practicality 3/5
Total 9/15
Model | Seat Ibiza FR Sport |
Engine | 1.0 TSI Petrol, 114bhp, 0-62 = 9.8 Seconds, Front Wheel Drive |
Transmission | 7 Speed DSG Automatic |
Price | £26,670 |
On Sale | Now |
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