The 2008 Seat Ibiza has been awarded the full-five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test programme.

The fourth generation Seat Ibiza got five stars for passenger protection, four stars for child occupation and three stars for pedestrians making it one of the safest superminis on the road.

View more pictures of the 2008 Seat Ibiza

Standard safety features on the Seat Ibiza include six airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control and electronic stability programme.

When it goes on sale in July, Seat Ibiza buyers will get the choice of three petrol engines ranging from a 1.2-litre to 1.6-litre with a host of diesel engines including a super-green Ecomotive model to make up the range at a later date.

Buyers will be able to choose between three trim levels: Reference, Stylance and Sport.

It will face stiff competition from the likes of the 2008 World Car of the Year the Mazda 2 and forthcoming Ford Fiesta with prices starting from £8,995.

And like with these two superminis, the 2008 Seat Ibiza has shed more than 50kg to reduce emissions and boost performance.

We were at the European launch of the Seat Ibiza on its namesake Balearic Island. Read our review of the Spanish supermini.  

View more pictures of the 2008 Seat Ibiza