THE Ibiza What Car? Car of the Year 2003 has been SEAT's best-loved model for many years, and with the fifth generation the Ibiza has got better.

Look upon Seat's agile Ibiza as a Volkswagen in everything but name, and you'll quickly understand why the chic Spanish performer has such a following.

The latest one which has been available since May 2002 boasts the VW pedigree, yet has a generous hint of Mediterranean flair which sets it apart.

We couldn't resist it from the moment we first cast eyes upon it, although it has to be admitted that the brilliant canary yellow we chose is not everyone's cup of tea.

To us, that's part of the enchantment...it's lively, full of fun and there's no disguising its temperament.

It's full of emotion, almost cat-like in its poise, yet has a sense of purpose straight out of the classic spirited hatchback mould.

Except that the Ibiza Sport is anything but died-in-the wool transport.

We've lived with ours for more than a year and still revel in the passion we have for each other.

That's the beauty of the Ibiza as a three-door which puts agility to the fore, and can be seen in all the best company.

Maybe the sporting chassis rightly deserves the description of being akin to a precision instrument. Accurate and resilient under any driving conditions, it appears to take pot holes, bumps and road imperfections in its stride while giving excellent handling and inspiring driver confidence.

Put it on a smooth motorway and it's a dream.

The current Sport draws power from a 100 horsepower 1.4 litre 16-valve engine, although ours boasts the earlier 1.6 litre engine which equally revels in enthusiastic performance.

Like ours too, the current car enjoys high revs with a five-speed gearbox specially tuned to exploit the willing performance which are every bit in line with performance expectations and the possibility of a top speed approaching 120 mph, and slick acceleration to go with it.

You can also get it with the 1.9 litre VW turbo diesel engine, borrowed straight from the Golf GTi delivering enhanced performance from 130 horsepower output and producing top speed capability around 129 mph.

What's for sure is the Ibiza has a unique personality, accompanied by the driving refinement and security of anti-lock braking and traction control with the comfort of air conditioning and one-touch electric window control.

Maybe it would benefit from better storage space in the cabin for bits and pieces like spectacles or a mobile telephone, yet for practicality, the boot offers plenty of room.

We love the Spanish flair!

On sale since May 2002, the new Ibiza comes in three and five-door hatchback versions, with four equipment levels (Ibiza 1.2, S, SE and Sport), and five engines to choose from.

Prices start at just £7,995 on the road for the Ibiza 1.2 rising to £13,495 for the top of the range Ibiza TDi 130 bhp Sport.

The full Ibiza model range comprises three and 5-door hatches with engines ranging from the award-winning 1.2 litre petrol to the most powerful diesel engine available in any supermini, the 1.9 litre 130 bhp turbo diesel.

Prices start at £7,995 on the road and for extra peace of mind all new Ibizas are covered by a three year/60,000 mile warranty, three year roadside assistance and 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.

Standard equipment includes: air conditioning, single CD player with 8-speakers, electric front windows, remote locking with deadlocks, twin airbags, with passenger airbag deactivation, height and tilt adjustable headrests, digital clock, rev counter and outside temperature gauge, electro-hydraulic power steering, immobiliser, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, driver and passenger sunvisors with mirrors, central sun visor, cup holder, central console, split folding rear seat, and pockets in front seat backs.