The current Ibiza may be seven, but Seat has left its sharp styling alone and focused on creating a plusher interior with this mid-life update.

The Ibiza also gains two frugal new motors – turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol units, with 95hp and 110hp. Other engines range from 75hp 1.0-litre to potent 150hp 1.4-litre petrols plus diesels with 75hp to 105hp. Efficiency has increased by up to 32% too.

Trim levels start with Spartan E specification, while all other versions include Bluetooth, a digital radio and aircon. SE adds alloy wheels and a five-inch touchscreen media system, while Vista includes cruise control and rear parking sensors.

Connect specification, meanwhile, gains a 6.5-inch media system with satnav that includes MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software to allow safe use of mobile phones. It also includes a Samsung Galaxy A3 mobile.

The fleet favourite is likely to be the 95hp 1.0-litre petrol. With claimed 68.9mpg economy and 94g emissions – in hatchback and estate form – these incur just 13% BIK. With a good spread of power in the estate we drove, the 1.0-litre is perfectly happy at motorway speeds, while offering a comfortable ride and slick gearchange.

Less impressive are the car’s brakes and handling, with our test car’s tyres offering limited grip around corners and when braking heavily.

Despite being of little concern to many users, the Ibiza appears to offer less safety net than newer rivals. Wind and road noise levels are also a little high.

Space for rear passengers – even in the estate – is a little tight. The estate’s boot is around 50% larger than the five-door hatchback, however, although the Skoda Fabia Estate offers much more boot space. The dashboard, meanwhile, feels more upmarket than before, with plusher materials and a slick touchscreen media system.

Running costs are strong with the 1.0 EcoTSI 95 SE estate costing 35.9p per mile, compared with 34.7p for the five-door hatchback. The Fabia Estate, however, costs 35.3ppm, but BIK costs are slightly higher.
The Ibiza is striking and strong value, but feels a little long in the tooth, despite being updated.

Those after value and economy should be well served by the new 1.0 Eco TSI models, though users after maximum space will prefer the Skoda.