EsTate Modern

AS A general rule, the easiest way to ruin the looks of a handsome, sporty supermini is to expand its hindquarters and create an estate version. There's no problem with estate bodies on larger cars. There's many a family saloon that looks better with longer, sleeker lines in 'Tourer' or 'Sportwagon' guise but the smaller the car, the more problematic that fat backside becomes. Some of these extended superminis are easier on the eye than others but the more attractive effo
By The Newsroom
Published 11th May 2010, 17:01 BST
Updated 11th May 2010, 19:21 BST

Most superminis aren’t available in estate form, maybe because the manufacturer can’t be bothered, maybe because it already has a supermini-MPV to cater for people wanting a more practical car with a small footprint. For buyers, the estates that are available offer a level of utility somewhere between a five-door supermini and a full-blown MPV with all the folding seats and clever storage solutions. They’re superminis with an extension to the rear and in some cases, you can’t work out how the designers managed to get planning permission. Is the Ibiza ST any different?

The usual broad engine range is on offer with some unremarkable (but cheap) normally-aspirated petrol units at the base of the range and a succession of more desirable turbocharged offerings above. Highlights include the 1.2-litre TSI petrol with 103bhp. It doesn’t make the Ibiza hugely fast but 62mph from a standing start in 10.1s isn’t bad and neither is a 118mph top speed. More in keeping with the estate’s super-sensible persona are a couple of diesels. There’s a startlingly economical 1.2 TDI, a tiny three-cylinder common-rail injection unit and the 1.6 TDI which is going to give the ST longer legs for covering higher mileages.

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There aren’t a huge number of supermini estates around but there are lots of supermini-MPVs which do a similar job with more emphasis on versatility. In terms of direct rivals, Renault’s Clio Sports Tourer, Peugeot’s 207 SW, the Skoda Fabia Estate and even MINI’s Clubman would count and the Ibiza ST is an attractive option in that company. Only the MINI has a real edge in terms of desirability but it’s less practical than an Ibiza 5-door and priced at a big premium.

The modern engines in the Ibiza ST turn in an extremely polished performance at the pumps. The 1.2 TDI is the most efficient option but the more powerful 1.6-litre TDI diesel isn’t far behind with 55mpg on the combined cycle and as much as 78mpg in extra urban driving.

The styling compromise brought by small estate cars can seem a big price to pay for the few litres of extra carrying capacity that’s gained but the SEAT Ibiza ST manages to retain much of the visual sharpness of the five-door car despite its bulbous rear. Better still is a competitive carrying capacity that’s far larger than the Ibiza hatch and a line-up of economical modern engines. Buyers wanting a supermini with an extra injection of practicality should give it a chance.

Related topics:Ibiza