It hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP, but the closely-related Ibiza has. It scored well, with four stars out of five and Cordoba would be expected to fare just as well. Security needn’t be a worry, as SEAT kitted it out with safety features and all models get an immobiliser, remote central locking and deadlocks. Add to that ABS, an anti-theft roof aerial, front airbags and three-point seatbelts, and the list of safety spec is fairly impressive.

Spillages shouldn’t be too frequent as there’s a couple of cupholders dotted throughout the cabin – including one that cleverly folds out of the centre console like a CD drawer and another situated between the front seats. The driver’s storage box is handy for keeping possessions out of harm’s way, and is large enough for a mobile phone or MP3 player plus a handful of coins.

The 475-litre boot is more than 200 litres larger than the Ibiza, while luggage capacity can be further increased by folding the rear seats down.