As popular as they may be, it’s not always practical to drive around in knee-high supercars and hulking 4x4s. For the most part, we just need something that will get us from A to B and offer the storage and functions you’d expect from a conventional car. If you’re looking for a hatchback that offers all the necessities, there’s only one badge you have to look out for. SEAT have always been able to export cars with subtle style, amazing reliability and a good all-round driving experience. Here are three of their best hatchbacks.
Ibiza
This great little runner has been around for a while, but has been tweaked and refreshed all the way up to 2015. The latest versions use a new selection of engines, taken from the Skoda Fabia and VW Polo. The outside is compact, rounded and hasn’t been changed too much. If you’re already into the youthful looks of the Ibiza, there’s a good selection of engines; 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4. A lot of hatchbacks are marketed as being fun to use, and the Ibiza certainly lives up to that! I guarantee that you’ll find an Ibiza one of the easiest drives you’ll ever experience.
The steering is accurate and well-weighted, and allows you to meander smoothly across the road. The suspension is a little tougher than some of its rivals’, such as the VW Polo. However, you’ll only really notice this if you’re looking for it, and driving the Ibiza never gets that uncomfortable. If you want to get the best possible performance from your Ibiza, I recommend choosing the 1.4 litre TSI petrol engine. This can get you from zero to 62 in around eight seconds, though the two smaller sizes will be enough for the needs of most drivers. The standard Ibiza comes with a five-speed manual gearbox, which feels solid and easy to operate. There’s also the option for an interesting DSG automatic. With this, you can shift using paddles fixed to the steering wheel, or simply sit back and let the box work for you. Overall, the Ibiza offers and incredibly simple and smooth ride.
The interior of the Ibiza is exactly what you’d expect. Everything on the dashboard is set out in a straightforward way. The dials are clear, large and bright, making it even easier to monitor everything. The interior isn’t exactly luxurious, but that’s not what you should be looking for in a hatch! Instead of cream leather, you’ll find large areas of durable, high-quality plastics. Although not very suave, the feel of this reminds you that the Ibiza is tough and well-constructed. I know that some people like a little more to mess around with in a car. However, you might just fall in love with the simple, driver-orientated layout here. If there’s one thing which will bring you around, then it’s got to be the Ibiza’s low running costs. With the wide range of engines, there really is an Ibiza for all budgets. Although the base engine is slow, but your insurance will stay low and you’ll find the fuel economy very agreeable. I’m sure if speed was your main concern, you wouldn’t be reading about hatchbacks! The only drawback I can really think of with the Ibiza is its resale value. If you go to a used dealership such as Currie Motors, you’ll be totally shocked by how much these cars depreciate. Aside from that, the CO2 emissions mean that the Ibiza is exempt from road tax, and the overall running costs are very affordable.
Mii
This is another comfortable and practical hatchback from SEAT. This car will give you all the fantastic features of the VW Up! The difference is that you’ll save a fair bit of money. There are a decent amount of hatchbacks in competition with the Mii. However, I’m sure you’ll agree the SEAT model is a lot better looking than the Toyota Aygo or Citroen C1. The Mii has cool, angular headlights and a trapezoidal grill, which makes for a look which is distinctly modern and compact. Of course, the looks aren’t all the Mii has going for it.
The SEAT Mii is a budget city car, which maxes out at around 74bhp. If you don’t let this ruin it for you, you can have an exceptionally fun experience with this car. Handling is a total breeze, especially when you stack it up against rivals such as the Kia Picanto. Excellent steering, a smooth gearbox and lightweight materials all make for a great feel while driving a Mii. For a car of this size, the suspension is incredibly dependable, and can soften even the roughest road surfaces by a lot. Unfortunately, there’s only one choice in terms of an engine: 1 litre, 3 cylinder. If all you want is a reliable hatchback, then this shouldn’t be a problem. You still have some choice with the power outputs. Most of the models produce 59bhp, whereas the “Sport” and “Mango” versions both give you 74bhp. Although there’s a technical difference, there’s very little in the driving experience to tell you so. Unfortunately, there isn’t a diesel option, as is common with a lot of city cars. However, the Mii’s one litre engine is incredibly economical.
The interior of the Mii is exactly what you’d want from a good hatchback. Just like the Ibiza, the dials are large and clear, and the dashboard is lain out in a simple, straightforward way. Unlike some other small cars, it won’t take you forever to get used to the feel of the stereo and air con! Its close relation to the Ibiza has a downside to it unfortunately. The acrylic panelling and steering wheel give you a slightly cheap, tacky feel to the whole thing. The SE spec and other high-end versions will give you a steering wheel with leather trims. However, even then it doesn’t look like the classiest car in the world! As I mentioned before, the Mii is fantastic for fuel economy. Of all the variants, the Mii Ecomotive is the best one you could go for. It uses the same one-litre engine, but a couple of differences get its fuel economy up to 69mpg. Another great thing is that its CO2 emissions have been brought below the 99g/km mark, meaning it’s exempt from road tax. For a brilliant all-rounder, you could do a lot worse than the SEAT Mii.
Leon
We’ll wrap up with the largest one. The first thing you’ll notice about the Leon is that it’s a lot bigger than SEAT’s other hatchbacks. Despite its bulky appearance, the Leon offers just as much quality and comfort as the Mii or Ibiza. With this car, what you see is what you get. It’s not the most exciting vehicle in the world, but it does everything you’d need it for exceptionally well!
If you’re looking for a reliable family hatchback, then the Leon may be the answer to your prayers. While it retains the functionality and simplicity of its city car brothers, the Leon has a lot more space, both in the interior and the boot. In fact, the only hatchback that can beat it for space is probably the Skoda Octavia. Although these features count for a lot in a practical car, there’s still a couple of small design flaws in the Leon. The angular body of the Leon means that it has very wide roof pillars and a cramped back window. Although perfectly safe, it might throw you off if you’re used to much wider visibility.
You can have some good fun taking a Leon out on the road. The steering is accurate and not too sensitive, and the gear changes are some of the smoothest you can get out of a hatchback. The brakes are very responsive and strong too. Again, this can take some getting used to depending on the cars you’ve driven before. However, once you get the feel for it, you’ll feel a lot more secure with more responsive brakes. If you choose one of the faster models, your handling will be a little easier. However, it’s not a massive difference, and the six-speed manual gearbox is more enjoyable to use than the seven-speed manual. Whichever model you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy SEAT’s driver profile system. This essentially lets you customise the set-up of the car, and tweak it for more sportiness or comfort. Like SEAT’s other hatchbacks, the steering is very reliable. Having said that, it can be a little hard to judge the grip on the front tyres while taking some corners. In terms of efficiency, it’s hard to go wrong with a Leon, or most of SEAT’s hatchbacks for that matter. However, if you want the most efficient model possible, go for the 1.6 TDI diesel. This will give you a great 74mpg, and CO2 emissions of 99g/km. Again, SEAT are rescuing you from road tax! Overall, the Leon offers all the great use of other hatchbacks, with added space to hold a family!
