1.2 TSI - Question for current owners

[TonyLFC]

Hi,


I'm new to the forum, and will hopefully be owning an Ibiza 1.2 TSI in the next couple of weeks; trying to get a dealer to give me a 24 hr test drive. Just wondering, if anyone currently has one, what are they like on the motorway? I do long motorway miles every day and need something that is good between 60-80mph, if you own one, is it capable of doing this easily or is it a struggle for the car?

I've currently got 2002 A3 1.8 T but it's pissing petrol away, so I need something a bit more economical, but at the same time I need something that can handle itself on the motorway.

Any information is appreciated

Thanks
Tony

 

[NetworkMan]

Not a struggle at all and fine up hills in top gear too. Pretty quiet at 70 mph in my 1.2 TSI SE 5 door. You probably won't get much more than about 48 mpg at 70 mph however. Others may have more to say on this since I've only done about 2500 miles so far.

 

[davidmack]

The car has no problem pulling at 70/80mph, it would surprise you that it is a 1.2!!

2/3rds of my driving is motorways, usualling sitting at 75mph on cruise control, i find i will get about 38-40mpg sitting at that speed. Obviously going slower sitting around 60mph the mpg is higher.

That is only my experience, after 9700miles, people seem to get a bit more mpg than me.

 

[nabster323]

I've had one for the last 3 months (I bought it in June this year) and It just keeps pulling and will sit comfortably between 60-80mph.

I bought the 1.2 TSI Sportrider, which comes with cruise control and all the sporty stuff, as you can probably gather! I'm hooked on my gizmos

Which model were you looking at? As when I took one for a test drive there was such a difference with the one I test drove and my Sportrider edition.

On petrol, depending how you drive it I tend to get 60-70mpg on city driving if there's not lots of starting and stopping and I find I get 100-150 Miles from £15 of fuel. But I can get you more accurate figures if you like as I drive a lot.

I'd have to agree with NetworkMan, it's about 48-58mpg at 70/80mph on Cruise control on the motorway.

The start-stop ecomotive addition is handy, but you can switch it off. Although I don't see the point as it does help!

But an all round good car as it packs punch if you need it and is a delight to drive (I've got it 0-62 without ragging in an avg of 8.1!!). My old Ibiza (V Reg) used to make lots of noise on the Motorway and this one is pretty quiet and relaxing.

Being a smaller engine that is turbocharged, you start to loose the power in the top end where you would still have it in your 1.8 Turbo Audi. But this is not a problem as the legal speed limit is 70mph

Combine that with £20 road tax a year I will pay and it's a pretty awesome car!

If you want to know anything about it please do ask as I enjoy driving and I drive it a lot!

I hope this helps,

Nabster.

 

[J400uk]

Don't have the 1.2 TSi but I do a lot of motorway driving in my (less powerful) 1.4 and it copes fine. Generally see 45-50mpg and it sits fine at 70mph. Seats could be more supportive though, can't drive more than about 1h30 without getting back pains.

 

[Timthebrief]

I drive a 1.8T LEON and we now have the 1.2TSi Ibiza ST Ecomotive for Mrs Brief.

I am pleasantly surprised how good the smaller engine is. Feels pretty good under acceleration though you need to work the gears; and no problem cruising at motorway speeds even with the car fully loaded with the family. Of course it doesn't have the same top end grunt as the 1.8 but it's ok for overtakes and we are getting approx 48mpg on longer runs. I've tested the same engine in Leon mk2 and I'm impressed enough to be seriously considering something with that engine when I replace the LC.

Mk 3 1.2 Tsi perhaps or the IBS???

 

[nabster323]

Don't have the 1.2 TSi but I do a lot of motorway driving in my (less powerful) 1.4 and it copes fine. Generally see 45-50mpg and it sits fine at 70mph. Seats could be more supportive though, can't drive more than about 1h30 without getting back pains.

Out of interest what model do you have? In the old Ibiza I used to find it a little uncomfortable but now with the new sports seats, they are so comfy you want to fall asleep!!

I have the 1.2TSI Sportrider

 

[gh2]

I've had my 1.2 TSI since November 10 and have to agree with everything said so far. You would struggle to tell it is only a 1.2 engine as it has a fair amount of grunt!

It can cope well with motorway speeds and beyond (allegedly!) and the economy increases dramatically compared to my usual drive on single carriageway roads, with frequent hilly routes.

If you drive carefully, you'll be able to get good MPG, but I find that I'm a bit heavy with my right foot as it's a great car to drive.

I'm a bit sad to say that I missed my car today - took it to the garage as some went up my boot on Friday. Thankfully, no damage done!

My advice is to get one - you won't regret it!
G

 

[LilShortBoyMe]

Don't have the 1.2 TSi but I do a lot of motorway driving in my (less powerful) 1.4 and it copes fine. Generally see 45-50mpg and it sits fine at 70mph. Seats could be more supportive though, can't drive more than about 1h30 without getting back pains.

I also have a 1.4 sport and i find it gives u good MPG always between 40-48 round town and on motorway doing 75mph i get between 38-44 MPG. Most iv ever got frm my 1.4 was 51.8 which i think is good . Iv never had a problem with the sport seat in fact i find them very relaxing and comfy and never had back pains but every1 is different tho

 

[altinnovation]

I've had my 1.2 TSI since November 10 and have to agree with everything said so far. You would struggle to tell it is only a 1.2 engine as it has a fair amount of grunt!

It can cope well with motorway speeds and beyond (allegedly!) and the economy increases dramatically compared to my usual drive on single carriageway roads, with frequent hilly routes.

If you drive carefully, you'll be able to get good MPG, but I find that I'm a bit heavy with my right foot as it's a great car to drive.

I'm a bit sad to say that I missed my car today - took it to the garage as some went up my boot on Friday. Thankfully, no damage done!

My advice is to get one - you won't regret it!
G

You're lucky - a dude crashed into me on Friday and the car is so f*d up I can't even open the trunk >:| .... and I'm not even talking about the parking sensors

 

[TonyLFC]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, much appreciated.

It's just the SE model I think, but I work around 35 miles away from home and the dealer won't give me a test driver longer than 5 minutes round the block, so I'm trying to locate another one in the North West to try and get for a longer test drive to see what it's like properly.

Hopefully I'll have it all agreed and signed by Friday, looking forward to getting it now based on what you've all said.

Thanks
Tony

 

[NetworkMan]

Tony,

You're welcome - people on this site are always helpful.

They've re-jigged the model range since I got my car.

The following is based on the June 2012 spec.

In the 3 door the 1.2 TSI is only available with Sportrider trim.
In the 5 door and estate car (ST) it's only available as a DSG automatic in SE trim and as a manual in Sportrider trim.

If you go for the automatic remember that it lacks the start-stop and ESP of the manual. This can make the automatic appear less expensive than it really is.

SE and Sportrider should be similar to drive. The Sportrider has firmer suspension and wider lower profile tyres meaning less roll in cornering and a harder ride. It also has seats with deeper side bolsters. As far as I can tell the middle part of the seat is similar.

I find the ride on my SE quite hard enough and don't notice significant roll but then everyone is different!

Good luck!

 

[znww5]

I've had the 1.2TSi 5dr with the 7 speed DSG gearbox since March. So far I've never felt that I needed more power than this punchy little unit can deliver. It has no problem with motorway speeds or overtaking and based on its performance, most people would think that it is a 1.6 or 1.8 engine.
As Networkman says the auto version doesn't have ESP or start-stop - the latter would be nice but I'm not too bothered about ESP as you never miss what you've never had!
The only negative aspect is that the seats need more lumbar support, this was mentioned in the 'Which?' review and it is fair comment - they could/should be better.

BTW if a dealer offered me a 5min test drive for ANY car, I'd offer him a long walk off a short pier and go somewhere else!

 

[CandyWight]

I have had my 1.2tsi Sport since 1st July and I don't miss my old car (58 plate sluggish 1.2 Corsa) at all! I just wish I'd bought this car sooner - it really is a treat to drive - I love it! Even my OH who isn't into cars at all says how nice it is! I haven't tried her on motorways yet due to living on this stupid Island, but I plan to very soon as she has given me my confidence back with how fast she can go! The highest mpg figure I have achieved so far is 57mpg. I love the stop/start feature and hill hold assist is great too! I still smile to myself every time I get in mine!

Not quite sure what I love best about my car, but it would probably be that fact that it tells me to change UP a gear when going up a hill that I would've changed down two gears in when in my old car. So much power that you don't even need to floor it to get her going either. That coupled with the very low road tax cost and it just keeps me smiling!

 

[J400uk]

Out of interest what model do you have? In the old Ibiza I used to find it a little uncomfortable but now with the new sports seats, they are so comfy you want to fall asleep!!

I have the 1.2TSI Sportrider

Mines the 1.4 SE with the 'comfort seats'. Agree the sport seats are nicer but neither have lumbar support which IMO helps when you do a lot of long journeys.

I also have a 1.4 sport and i find it gives u good MPG always between 40-48 round town and on motorway doing 75mph i get between 38-44 MPG. Most iv ever got frm my 1.4 was 51.8 which i think is good . Iv never had a problem with the sport seat in fact i find them very relaxing and comfy and never had back pains but every1 is different tho

My record MPG is 65.1 - slow motorway drive with the cruise control and no AC. Generally average in the 40s though

 

[CandyWight]

The 'sports' seats are really comfy - heaps better than my old Corsa, which also made you sit with more weight on your left side for some reason. No such problems with my Ibiza! The seats 'hug' you nicely, but I do find that being a shorter lady the larger support bits on the sides can get in the way when changing gear - mainly 2nd and 4th, but I am used to sticking my elbow out a bit more than I did before and don't notice it now.

 

[LilShortBoyMe]

My record MPG is 65.1 - slow motorway drive with the cruise control and no AC. Generally average in the 40s though

U must of been driving either 50/60 to get that kind of MPG on the 1.4 lol but still wel dun altho i could never sit in the slow lane on dat speed always 75-80 away i go altho call me dumb if im totaly wrong but at that speed 50/60 im guessin wil take an extra myb 30-45mins extra on your trip were as doin 70-80 getting there 30-45mins quicker wont the MPG average still work out the same?
I prob am wrong jus curious as iv red alot of ppl doing 55/60pmh on motorway to save fuel and get better MPG altho adding 45mins or more on the trip.

 

[J400uk]

U must of been driving either 50/60 to get that kind of MPG on the 1.4 lol but still wel dun altho i could never sit in the slow lane on dat speed always 75-80 away i go altho call me dumb if im totaly wrong but at that speed 50/60 im guessin wil take an extra myb 30-45mins extra on your trip were as doin 70-80 getting there 30-45mins quicker wont the MPG average still work out the same?
I prob am wrong jus curious as iv red alot of ppl doing 55/60pmh on motorway to save fuel and get better MPG altho adding 45mins or more on the trip.

Just a 33 mile run at 50-60mph to achieve that, was mostly downhill and the lorries where overtaking me



Added maybe an extra 10-15 minutes? I wouldn't do it again though, very boring.

 

[LilShortBoyMe]

Just a 33 mile run at 50-60mph to achieve that, was mostly downhill and the lorries where overtaking me



Added maybe an extra 10-15 minutes? I wouldn't do it again though, very boring.

LOL yea i would imagine very very boring altho would i be ryt with my MPG theory?? How are you finding the 1.4?

Also very very low fuel there risky lol

 

[J400uk]

LOL yea i would imagine very very boring altho would i be ryt with my MPG theory?? How are you finding the 1.4?

Also very very low fuel there risky lol

The low fuel was the reason for driving like that! Pretty sure it was running on fumes by the time I got home. I find the 1.4 ok but I'd prefer the 1.2 TSI.

OP - Sorry for the thread derail