SEAT Ibiza FR Sport 1.0 TSI 115PS DSG (2026 facelift) Review

[Syphon]

What is it?



This is the updated SEAT Ibiza FR Sport, powered by the familiar 1.0 TSI 115PS engine with DSG.



We are no strangers to the Ibiza at SEATCUPRA.NET, having already reviewed the 2022 FR Sport and, in 2024, the 40th Edition, which felt a little less convincing overall. For 2026, though, SEAT has given the Ibiza a much more meaningful refresh. The styling is sharper, the interior has had some worthwhile changes, and on first impressions, it feels like more than just a light facelift.



The question is whether those updates are enough to move the Ibiza on from the 3.5-star verdicts its previous versions received from us.




Verdict
The latest SEAT Ibiza FR Sport is a big step forward. The revised styling gives it much more presence, the interior has some genuinely worthwhile improvements, and it feels more polished and enjoyable than the previous versions we have reviewed.

It is still not perfect. The illuminated air vents remain a weak point, and the...

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[Syphon]

Thanks for the review as ever @Jimbobcook !

Scott

 

[tracktoy]

Great review but it does bring home to me that this car is now nearly as big as my mk3 leon

• Ibiza	Cupra 280 2014
  Length: 4,070mm	4271mm
  Width (inc. mirrors): 1,780mm	1816mm (not sure if that includes mirrors)
  Height: 1,447mm	1434mm
  Wheelbase: 2,564mm	2631mm
  Boot space: 355 litres	380 litres

 

[Syphon]

Yeah this generation of Ibiza is certainly bigger than previous ones!

 

[SRGTD]

Great review but it does bring home to me that this car is now nearly as big as my mk3 leon

• Ibiza	Cupra 280 2014
  Length: 4,070mm	4271mm
  Width (inc. mirrors): 1,780mm	1816mm (not sure if that includes mirrors)
  Height: 1,447mm	1434mm
  Wheelbase: 2,564mm	2631mm
  Boot space: 355 litres	380 litres

Yeah this generation of Ibiza is certainly bigger than previous ones!

Same goes for the current generation of VW’s Polo - essentially the same car as the Ibiza under the skin. The Polo is pretty much the same size as the mk4 Golf I owned back in the early 2000’s.

 

[jezyg]

The Ibiza 115 DSG is a cracking little car I do 200 mile round trips in mine and it never feels under powered even on the motorway, in kick down is quite spirited and especially fun on a twisty B Road. As for size is the same as a MK6 Golf and decent amount of space in the back too. Economy wise is often late 40's mpg and it has never missed a beat be sad to see it go in September. As the best bit it always make you smile when you drive it as a genuinely fun car to own and drive.

 

[pompeydave]

Heated seats now as well .