2004 Seat Cordoba SE 130 review from UK and Ireland

Nothing in 2 years.

Had the car a few years now so feel qualified to review it.

I thought I would miss my Celica, but this car has been great fun and a faithful friend.

I didn't expect reliabity or durability, but I've got it.

Personally I love the looks, I think it's mature and stylish. No rattles or creaks at all even though the suspension is on the firm side, ride quality is great, I love the feeling of safety I get from the way it clings to the road.

I chose the Cordoba because in my opinion hatchbacks tend to be louder and rattle more, the Ibiza has 45 profile tyres the Cordoba has 55 making it a bit more comfortable drive for my needs.

Inside the dash isn't the most exotic, it looks plasticky, but it really doesn't rattle anywhere, my car is very well screwed together, I had chronic rattles from the dash and hatch and C pillars of my Celica.

Everything works fine after 2 years, air con is great, fine 8 speaker CD player, and nice red lighting to the dials at night too.

The gearbox is accurate and slick, but a bit mechanical, steering is sharp, but could do with a tad more feedback. Not much wind noise, but a fair bit of road noise, I guess that is the low profile tyre and hard suspension combo that causes that.

Paint and exterior fit and finish is great, no complaints there at all, doors shut with a solid thud.

The engine... well this is a light car so it pulls like a train, I cannot imagine many cars can out drag it mid range, not that I'm of that persuasion, but my high revving VVTi Celica would be simply left in a puff of dust. The acceleration is storming, the car is roughly 80kg less than the Skoda Fabia vRS so it's a wee bit quicker than that too.

Simply a great car, looks totally inoffensive, but really hauls ass in comfort whilst returning 55-60 mpg.