SEAT's Cordoba deserves attention, if only for its gargantuan boot, says IAN LAMMING

FIX a boot on a Seat Ibiza and you end up with the latest model in a rejuvenated model line-up, namely the Cordoba. The four-door saloon seems to have slipped into the showrooms with little flag waving and next to no fuss which is a bit of a shame really as it deserves more attention.

An Ibiza from the front, the Cordoba shares the hatchback's lights. But inserted into a curvaceous posterior as it is, it looks very much like an Alfa Romeo 156, which cannot be a bad thing.

In fact the overall look is very appealing with smooth lines and excellent finish.

But that smart back end is more than just for looks.

Open the boot lid and it reveals a gargantuan load space - 475 litres to be precise - which will swallow as much luggage and shopping as you can hurl in it.

The saloon gets more rear legroom for passengers and a big car feel to the ride, which is welcome, too.

The interior is attractive and well made with quality fixtures, it is light, airy and comfortable and the instruments and switches are laid out with a quality feel that shows off its VAG and Volkswagen lineage.

But, like all Seats, it is the way the car drives that really impresses. Enjoying a little foray down empty country roads in the Yorkshire Dales, the Cordoba had the poise and control of a rally car.

No surprise really, because the Cordoba was the basis for the SEAT world rally car.

Consequently, gravel, mud, water and tricky cambers did little to upset its progress and even on the slipperiest of surface the car gripped like a limpet.

There are the options of 1.4 litre petrol and two 1.9 litre diesels, one packing 100PS, the other a staggering 130PS. The test car came was the 100PS, which was simply superb, and also turns out wave after wave of glorious torque.

On paper it may be a sensible frugal saloon, but it thinks it is a sports car with its stupendous mid-range pulling power, brilliant handling and sharp steering.

Speaking of economy, it was quite difficult to get the fuel gauge off the full mark, no matter how hard the throttle was used. It returns an amazing 68.9mpg on the extra urban cycle, 56.5mpg on the combined and 43.5 on the urban.

Seat is not expecting to sell a boot-full of Cordobas, hence the low-key launch, which is surprising really because a nicer, more capable car you would struggle to find.

Updated: 10:45 Friday, March 28, 2003