SPOT.
Photo of a SEAT Cordoba

SEAT Cordoba

Córdoba SX: the two-door that became Martorell's millionth car.1

Researched November 9, 2026 from 25 sources

At a glance

0100200
49–154 hpPower
012.525
8–20.4 s0–100 km/h
0125250
145–218 km/hTop speed
0200400
86–310 N·mTorque
07501,500
990–1,260 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.13459

Engine
Mk1: 1.0–2.0 L gas I4, 1.9 D/TD/SDI/TDI; Mk2 adds 1.2 gas/1.4 TDI I33
Layout
Front-wheel drive49
Gearbox
5-speed manual; Mk2 TDi SE: 6-speed; 4-speed auto; Mexico: 6-speed Tiptronic3710
Built at
Martorell, Spain; Mk1 also General Pacheco, Argentina3
Units built
1,034,465 across the family3

The story

Built to replace the Málaga, the Córdoba added sedan luggage space to the Ibiza formula. Giugiaro styled the first generation, and the two-door SX later gained a 20-valve turbo Cupra.123

1993: Giugiaro's sedan debuts at Frankfurt19931995: Two doors for the Córdoba SX19951996: Martorell's millionth car is an SX19961999: A new face and dashboard19992000: Cupra: 154 hp, 20 valves, two doors20002002: Paris debut, November sales in Spain20022003: UK launch: six speeds for the TDi SE20032006: UK sales end; 1.4 climbs to 84 hp20062008: Production ends; no third generation2008 SEAT Málaga (023A): 1985–1991023ASEAT Córdoba I (6K): 1993–20026KSEAT Ibiza III: 2002–SEAT Ibiza IIISEAT Córdoba II (6L): 2002–20086L 198519901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones134691516
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1985–1991SEAT Málaga (023A)
1993–2002SEAT Córdoba I (6K)
2002–SEAT Ibiza III
2002–2008SEAT Córdoba II (6L)
1993Giugiaro's sedan debuts at Frankfurt
1995Two doors for the Córdoba SX
1996Martorell's millionth car is an SX
1999A new face and dashboard
2000Cupra: 154 hp, 20 valves, two doors
2002Paris debut, November sales in Spain
2003UK launch: six speeds for the TDi SE
2006UK sales end; 1.4 climbs to 84 hp
2008Production ends; no third generation
  1. 1993

    Giugiaro's sedan debuts at Frankfurt

    The first generation arrives at Frankfurt with Giorgetto Giugiaro styling and the Ibiza Mk2 chassis.3

  2. 1995

    Two doors for the Córdoba SX

    September's Frankfurt show brings the two-door SX: around 25 kg lighter than the four-door, with a stiffer shell.1

  3. 1996

    Martorell's millionth car is an SX

    On November 27, a red Córdoba SX becomes Martorell's millionth car. Employee Robustiano Sánchez wins it in a staff raffle.1

  4. 1999

    A new face and dashboard

    Revised bumpers, lights, grille and cabin usher in the Stella, Signa, Sport and Cupra trims.34

  5. 2000

    Cupra: 154 hp, 20 valves, two doors

    The SX-only Cupra gets a 20-valve 1.8T with 154 hp and 210 Nm, plus a five-speed manual.135

  6. 2002

    Paris debut, November sales in Spain

    The 4.28-meter Ibiza Mk3-based sedan debuts at Paris. Spain gets it in late November, with a 485-liter trunk and a drag coefficient down to 0.30.36

  7. 2003

    UK launch: six speeds for the TDi SE

    The second generation reaches Britain in February; the 1.9 TDi SE combines a six-speed gearbox with a 9.5-second sprint to 60 mph.7

  8. 2006

    UK sales end; 1.4 climbs to 84 hp

    UK sales stop. The second-generation 1.4 rises from 74 to 84 hp; its 0–100 km/h time falls to 12.4 seconds.38

  9. 2008

    Production ends; no third generation

    Production stops in November; European sales end in 2009. The Córdoba II clashes with SEAT's sporting brief, and no third generation is planned.39

Every generation

  • SEAT Málaga
    023A1985–1991
  • SEAT Ibiza II
    SEAT Ibiza II
  • SEAT Córdoba I
    6K1993–2002
  • SEAT Ibiza III
    SEAT Ibiza III
  • SEAT Córdoba II
    6L2002–2008

Power over the years

From 59 hp to 154 hp in 7 years.

050100150200 19921994199619982000200220042006 hp 1993 · 59 hp · Mk1 1.4 i1993 · 63 hp · Mk1 1.9 D1993 · 74 hp · Mk1 1.9 TD1994 · 127 hp · Mk1 GTi 1.8 16V1996 · 89 hp · Mk1 1.9 TDI1996 · 108 hp · Mk1 1.9 TDI (108 hp)1997 · 148 hp · Mk1 SX 2.0 16V1999 · 49 hp · Mk1 1.0 MPI1999 · 67 hp · Mk1 1.9 SDI update2000 · 154 hp · Mk1 Cupra 1.8T2002 · 128 hp · Mk2 1.9 TDI (128 hp)2006 · 84 hp · Mk2 1.4 16V update 154 hp Mk1 Cupra 1.8T 59 hp Mk1 1.4 i
13810
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
199359Mk1 1.4 i
199363Mk1 1.9 D
199374Mk1 1.9 TD
1994127Mk1 GTi 1.8 16V
199689Mk1 1.9 TDI
1996108Mk1 1.9 TDI (108 hp)
1997148Mk1 SX 2.0 16V
199949Mk1 1.0 MPI
199967Mk1 1.9 SDI update
2000154Mk1 Cupra 1.8T
2002128Mk2 1.9 TDI (128 hp)
200684Mk2 1.4 16V update

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • First-generation trim range

    Standard

    First-generation trim range

    1993–2002

  • Córdoba SX

    Standard

    Córdoba SX

    1995–2002

  • Second generation: Stella/Sport/Signa/Reference/Stylance

    Standard

    Second generation: Stella/Sport/Signa/Reference/Stylance

    2002–2008

  • Performance

    GTi 1.8 16V

    1994–1996

    127 hp

  • Performance

    Córdoba Cupra 1.8T

    2000–2002

    154 hp

  • Special

    Dream

    1997

  • Special

    SX Open / Godó

    1997–1998

  • Limited

    Sport Edition

    1998–1999

  • Limited

    SX Pole Position

    1996

  • Special

    Córdoba Cabrio (prototype)

    1996

    1 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • First generation: short, high trunk and a steeply sloped rear window.13
  • Early first-generation rear: a 'telephone' reflector links the upper taillights, echoing the first Toledo.13
  • First generation: rear quarter glass differs from the five-door Ibiza's.13
  • Second generation: wedge nose, central SEAT badge and narrow, swept headlights.14
  • Second generation: kicked-up tail with angular, elongated taillights.714

Year by year

  1. 1995

    An early update revised the bumpers and logos.4

  2. 1996

    A light exterior refresh accompanied the new SE, SXE and GTI trim names.1013

  3. 1999

    More obvious new headlights and divided taillights; trims became Stella, Signa, Sport and Cupra.10

  4. 2002

    The second generation brought a curvier nose and longer rear lamps, with only a four-door sedan body.39

  5. 2007 model year, Mexico

    Mexican cars adopted the facelifted Ibiza's front bumper; this nose update did not reach other markets.3

Don’t confuse it with

  • SEAT Ibiza

    Similar fronts, but the Córdoba adds a separate trunk and a pronounced rear overhang.4614

  • Photo of a SEAT Cordoba
    Cordoba
    Photo of a Volkswagen Polo Classic / Derby
    Volkswagen Polo Classic / Derby

    Volkswagen Polo Classic / Derby

    First-generation twins: Polo Classic has different bumpers and lights; Mexico's 1994–1997 Derby mainly swaps badges.4

Against its rivals

  • Cordoba vs Corsa Sedan GLS 8V

    Trunk capacity

    Cordoba455 L
    Corsa Sedan GLS 8V390 L
    17

  • Cordoba vs Fiat Siena ELX 1.6

    Trunk capacity

    Cordoba455 L
    Fiat Siena ELX 1.6500 L
    17
  • SEAT León 1.8 20VT

    Cordoba vs SEAT León 1.8 20VT

    Measured torque

    Cordoba247 Nm
    SEAT León 1.8 20VT264 Nm
    18

Prices

Value today $550.0–$5.5K13

Price when newValue todayPrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K 1995200020052010201520202025 Value today: $550–$5,500 1996 · $19,300 · Belgium SX Pole Position; ~USD2003 · $16,300 · UK base 1.4 S; approx. period USD2003 · $22,800 · UK TDi SE; £500 below Toledo; ~USD2007 · $13,900 · Mexico dealer Reference; approx. USD
71225
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1996Price when new$19,300Belgium SX Pole Position; ~USD
2003Price when new$16,300UK base 1.4 S; approx. period USD
2003Price when new$22,800UK TDi SE; £500 below Toledo; ~USD
2007Price when new$13,900Mexico dealer Reference; approx. USD
2026Value today$550–$5,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “The 485-liter trunk topped its size bracket”
    • “Three podiums, all third places”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 1 thing to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 25 sources
  1. Córdoba SX seatcocheshistoricos.es
  2. Coche del día: SEAT Córdoba GTi 1.8 16v - espíritu RACER espirituracer.com
  3. SEAT Córdoba - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. SEAT Córdoba I - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre es.wikipedia.org
  5. Coche del día: SEAT Córdoba Cupra - espíritu RACER espirituracer.com
  6. SEAT Córdoba (2003) | Información general - km77.com km77.com
  7. SEAT Cordoba | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  8. Córdoba 1.4i/85 e Ibiza “Guapa”, novedades de Seat autopista.es
  9. SEAT Córdoba II - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre es.wikipedia.org
  10. Comparativa oldie: Seat Córdoba u Opel Astra autobild.es
  11. SEAT Córdoba, nueva lista de precios - MotorAdictos.com motoradictos.com
  12. Ediciones Limitadas SEAT: Córdoba SX Pole Position 1996. ~ SEAT FANSCLUB seatfansclub.com
  13. Seat Córdoba, un coche que fue gran alternativa económica autopista.es
  14. Utilitario por delante y familiar por detrás | El Viajero | EL PAÍS elpais.com
  15. SEAT Málaga - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  16. Test ojetiny: Seat Cordoba: čtyřdveřová baculka | Autanet.cz autanet.cz
  17. Folha de S.Paulo - Sedãs / teste Folha-Mauá: Banho de loja dá fôlego ao Seat Cordoba - 30/07/2000 www1.folha.uol.com.br
  18. Seat Córdoba Cupra 1.8T / Seat León 1.8 20VT autopista.es
  19. juwra.com  |  Seat Cordoba WRC juwra.com
  20. juwra.com  |  Seat Cordoba WRC Evo2 juwra.com
  21. EA SPORTS WRC full car list (updated) | Traxion traxion.gg
  22. juwra.com  |  Seat Cordoba WRC Evo3 juwra.com
  23. Seat Córdoba WRC: an unfinished story – WRCWings wrcwings.tech
  24. EA SPORTS™ WRC Car List - March 2025 Update ea.com
  25. SEAT Córdoba 2007: ventas, versiones y seguridad en México cuantocostaba.com
  • seatcocheshistoricos.es
  • espirituracer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • es.wikipedia.org
  • km77.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • autopista.es
  • autobild.es
  • motoradictos.com
  • seatfansclub.com
  • elpais.com
  • autanet.cz
  • www1.folha.uol.com.br
  • juwra.com

Photo credits

Other car files