Alternative review of SEAT Ibiza

'Oh, we're going to Ibiza' or so the song says. Well, I think I'm a bit long in the tooth to spend my holiday clubbing, so I opted for a test drive in SEAT's latest Ibiza instead. This sunny supermini is said to reflect the party spirit of its namesake - though you have to take a long hard look at the Ibiza in the metal to be convinced of the fact. Having said that, this is as much a compact family car as it is a supermini, so I think it's a model that will suit buyers of any age. After all, you're never too old, or too young, to have fun.

The latest Ibiza incorporates a huge number of improvements. I won't list them all, but naturally, the visual tweaks are the most prominent. The car comes in a basic five-door bodystyle and has also been designed to work as a three-door 'Sports Coupe' which looks lower leaner and meaner. The five-door is 80mm longer than the old Ibiza's 3,970m and much bigger inside while the 292-litres of boot space is very impressive for a supermini. The car also features a wider front and rear tracks to give it a foursquare, planted stance on the road while the body structure is extremely rigid to enhance the driving dynamics. Although superminis are generally known to be town cars, thanks to power steering and retuned suspension, my entry level 1.2-litre seemed just as at home through the country lanes as it did on the one-way system. It's a good all-rounder, even when it comes to the weekly trolley dash. As you'd expect, you won't have a problem parking the Ibiza. However, you might think you'd have bit of trouble cramming the weekly shop in the back. You'd be wrong - it's a piece of cake. Lift the tailgate and you'll find impressive reserves of space (before folding the rear seat). When it comes to rear passenger space, there's enough to comfortably accommodate two adults. Golf and Astra customers might find the cabin a little narrow but otherwise, there shouldn't be too many complaints, even if you're travelling four-up.

Compare the new Ibiza's cabin to that of its predecessor and you'll find it's undergone many changes. There's a real upmarket feel, giving the impression that you're in a much more expensive car. In pursuit of better ride and handling, the suspension has been re-tuned and the standard power steering set-up given more feel. Both are improvements I found you could really feel, once out on the road. The result is that even the entry-level 1.2-litre version I tried feels good to punt along twisty secondary roads. On the move around urban areas, the Ibiza's more natural habitat, the car remains as nippy and manoeuvrable as its predecessor. So then, it's fun to drive. Safety too, seems to have been a Spanish development priority. Amongst the many passive safety features, you'll find standard twin front airbags, side impact protecting door bars, the very latest crumple zone technology, seatbelt pre-tensioners and doors that can still be opened after a very heavy impact. Other reassuring features include a high level rear brake-light, advanced bifocal headlamps, a collapsible steering column and front seats equipped with reinforced bases to prevent occupants from 'submarining' beneath their seatbelts.

SEAT has certainly put a lot of effort into making its latest Ibiza a class leader. Although my lifestyle would probably force me to choose something a little larger, this is my kind of car and given half a chance, I could definitely live with an Ibiza.