SEAT introduced the Cordoba in 1993 as a three-box sedan version of the Ibiza, and both received a mid-life cycle refresh in 1996.
The Spanish brand started to increase its sales on the European market. While the hatchback was mainstream in some countries, other customers were looking for small-segment sedans, such as the Cordoba. After just three years, SEAT improved its products according to the Euro 2 European emission standards.

Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the 1993 Cordoba based on the Ibiza model. On the facelifted version, the carmaker relied on its design studio to slightly alter the car’s look, but it did it in a good way. At the front, the designers made a smiling front grille with a center slat for the brand’s chromed badge. Its plastic wrapped-around bumper received a pair of rectangular fog lights at the bottom, flanking an additional cooling grille in the apron. The carmaker kept the short, sloped-down trunk lid at the back and, depending on the options, adorned it with a wing. The red taillights were linked together by a red strip interrupted only by the SEAT badge.

Inside, SEAT tried to attract new customers with more standard features such as an air-conditioning system, power steering, and driver airbag. These were not available on the base trim level for the entire lineup. The Spanish carmaker installed a four-spoke steering wheel with an airbag, while the second airbag was on the options list.

SEAT carried over all the engines it could from its parent company and offered a choice of six gasoline and four diesel-powered engines for the small-sized sedan.