If you believe small cars should still feel like they were designed by people who enjoy driving, this SEAT Ibiza FR makes a compelling point. Finished in grey and sitting on 17-inch Tagus alloy wheels, it has a clean, purposeful look, sharpened by FR styling details and twin exhausts that hint at intent without overdoing the theatrics. The 1.2 TSI petrol engine paired with a manual gearbox is lively, smooth and reassuringly efficient, making it well suited to everything from city driving to longer motorway runs. Sports suspension and electronic differential lock give it a planted, confident feel through corners, while cruise control and speed-sensitive steering keep everyday driving relaxed and predictable. Inside, the FR influence continues. Sports seats, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and exclusive FR interior details give the cabin a focused feel, without sacrificing comfort. Air conditioning, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and a touchscreen media system cover all the essentials, while rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and the convenience pack add thoughtful touches you quickly come to rely on. Practicality hasn’t been forgotten either. Split-folding rear seats, a usable boot with illuminated storage, rear ISOFIX points and multiple cupholders make it easy to live with, while a strong set of safety features, including multi-collision braking, hill hold control and tiredness recognition, quietly look after you in the background. ULEZ compliant, sensibly owned and with mileage that reflects careful use, this is a hatchback that feels honest, engaging and refreshingly free of gimmicks. A small car that takes itself just seriously enough.