The Córdoba SX was the two-door variant of the first-generation SEAT Córdoba. With a markedly sporty accent, it featured specific design elements and luxurious standard equipment, and was the basis for the SEAT Córdoba WRC in the World Rally Championship.

The SEAT Córdoba was a three-volume, four-door saloon derived from the Ibiza II. Its first generation had two additional body variants: a 2-door, called the SX, and a break or estate, called the Vario. The first to arrive was the SX, which was unveiled in September 1995 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Córdoba SX was an eminently sporty version, thanks to the exclusive two-door bodywork, developed specifically by SEAT's Research and Development department. The model's personality was obvious, with a very slim line. The SX featured new body-coloured full bumpers, a new rear spoiler, specially designed 15-inch alloy wheels, side sills, bi-focal headlamps, roof aerial and third brake light.

Compared to the 4-door version, the SX weighed about 25 kg less, as the rear side doors were removed. For the same reason, the body was noticeably stiffer. Like its 4-door sibling, the SX retained excellent interior space and a very large boot.

In addition, the Córdoba SX stood out for its comprehensive equipment, which was offered as a single trim. The centre console featured additional gauges (in particular, oil pressure gauge and voltmeter), the sports steering wheel and gear lever knob were in leather, and the front seats were of the bucket type.

Other features included power steering, electric windows, electronically adjustable and heated door mirrors, height-adjustable steering wheel, air conditioning and sunroof, as well as remote central locking and anti-theft alarm. It also had airbags for driver and passenger, and the most powerful version was fitted with ABS in conjunction with EDS traction control.

This more powerful version was powered by the 130 HP 1.8i 16v engine, which was upgraded to the 150 HP 2.0i 16v in 1997. The 2.0i 115 HP was also available, all of which were already familiar from the Ibiza. New for the Córdoba SX was a new 100 HP 1.6i ‘crossflow’ engine with a cross-flow combustion chamber and variable-length intake manifold. Later came the 1.9 TDI, with 90 and 100 HP.

In 1996, the two-door Córdoba served as the basis for the Córdoba Cabrio concept car. Built at the Martorell Technical Centre, it was a convertible car that retained as many of the original Cordoba's parts as possible. Although series production was considered, it remained a one-off prototype and today is part of the SEAT HISTÓRICOS Collection.

The Córdoba SX was also the basis for the Córdoba WRC, which competed in the top category of the World Rally Championship between 1998 and 2000. The Córdoba WRC was unveiled at the Oporto Motor Show in 1998 and used a Córdoba SX 1.8i 16v as the base model. It had four-wheel drive and its turbo engine delivered 300 HP.

The Córdoba SX was also the protagonist of an important milestone for SEAT. On 27 November 1996, a red SX was the one millionth unit built at the SEAT plant in Martorell, which had been inaugurated in 1993. To celebrate, SEAT raffled this Córdoba SX among employees, and the lucky winner was Robustiano Sánchez. The idea of the raffle was a nod to the brand's history, as the first SEAT ‘one million’, a 124 built in 1969 at the Zona Franca factory, had also been raffled among employees.

Curiously, the first million cars in Zona Franca had taken 16 years to arrive, while in Martorell, the first million was reached in just three and a half years, a symbol of the progress and evolution of the industry in general and of SEAT in particular.

In 1999, the Córdoba SX received a restyling, as did the rest of the Córdoba range and the Ibiza II. The Córdoba was then given a CUPRA version, with the 156 HP 1.8 turbo engine and only available with the 2-door SX body.

The 2-door SX body was only available on the first-generation Cordoba. At the end of 2002, the Córdoba II was launched, but only as a 4-door saloon, with no SX and no Vario estate bodies.