By calling it a coupe – SportCoupe to be exact, hence the SC name – Seat is following an increasingly popular trend with the three-door version of its new Ibiza.

It’s a neat trick, particularly when the car looks as good as this. The interior’s a quality place, too, for the cash, featuring a sensibly thought-out dash, and a good amount of rear leg room, although rear headroom is limited.

Possibly the best aspect is the ultra-low running cost of 27.8ppm, possible thanks to a low list price and good RVs. Where the Ibiza is let down is the ride quality. The SC doesn’t have any of the comfort you’d normally associate with cars in this class (bar the hard-riding Mini). This shows up most on seams in motorway surfaces. However, the 1.4-litre engine is remarkably quiet on the motorway.

Meanwhile, the engine itself is willing and smooth, but doesn’t produce enough power for the car to merit the Sport tag.

Seat Ibiza SC 1.4 Sport 3dr manual
P11D price £10,105
Model price range £8605-£11,495
Fuel consumption 45.6mpg
CO2 (tax) 149g/km (17%)
BIK 20/40% per month £28/£57
Service interval 10,000mls
Insurance group 3
Warranty 3yrs/60,000mls
Boot space 284 litres
Engine size/power 1390cc/85PS
Top speed/0-62mph 110mph/12.2secs
On sale Now
Score 7/10
Verdict Low-cost alternative
to the standard fleet
supermini