| Week at the Wheel | Hyundai ix35 |
Key Facts
Model tested: Hyundai ix35 1.6 GDi Style (2WD)
Pricing: £17,295 (data correct as of 31 January, 2012)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door crossover
Rivals: Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, Skoda Yeti
CO2 emissions: 158g/km
Combined economy: 41.5mpg
Top speed: 111mph
0-62mph: 11.1 seconds
Power: 135hp at 6,300rpm
Torque: 165Nm at 4,850rpm
Inside & Out:
The Hyundai ix35 sports a rather distinctive, jagged face, while the swept back stance of the central body is more big coupé than bulky SUV.
Hyundai's efforts to up quality and be seen as a rival to the European competition are obvious, too. The cabin lacks the kind of squidgy yet firm plastics that we've come to expect from the vast majority of modern interiors, but the ix35's materials, though hard to the touch, seem very durable. More relevant is the fact that it's no longer fitted with the kind of cheap and nasty plastic that was so synonymous with Korean cars until very recently.
The dashboard itself is logically laid out and accessible, while the high ride height makes for cracking all-round visibility, with the exception of the sometimes infringing A-pillars. Space is plentiful for both front and rear passengers, while the boot can accommodate 591 litres of clobber with the rear seats in place and 1,436 litres when they're folded flat. Not bad at all.
Ride & Handling:
The steering behaves in much the same way as the engine and gearbox - it's quite responsive but a little on the vague side. For the most part, the ix35 does exactly what you want it to, and there's a generous amount of grip, even in slippery conditions.
Hyundai is obviously hoping to cash in on the car's impressive ride, though. The ix35 is very well sprung and covers rough surfaces with a minimum of fuss. Our only criticism is that it pitches a little during bumpy bends, but for the most part, it's extremely comfortable - enough to shame more expensive rivals.
Factor in the hushed cabin, and you're looking at a very refined car indeed. All very impressive, especially when you consider the Hyundai's budget price tag.
Engine & Transmission:
Our test car was powered by the entry-level 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine with stop-start technology, allied to a five-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. The modest lump packs a respectable 135hp, but with only 165Nm of torque and a reasonable amount of weight to lug around (1,427kg), it lacks the responsiveness of the
punchier CRDi diesel variants.
As you'd expect from a petrol unit, it's quite responsive from the off, but this is quickly counteracted by the car's weight and the engine requires a lot of effort to get the car up to anything other than town speeds. The throttle is a little vague, too, and you'll often find yourself either revving the engine excessively or bogging down and nearly stalling. The five-speed gearbox is soft, smooth and easy enough to use, but it's far from the most precise or engaging of shifters.
Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:
Whether you're a fan of the budget Korean brands or not, we defy you to knock them when it comes to pricing. At £17,295, the ix35 is a serious snip next to the majority of other crossovers on sale.
Hyundai maintains that you'll see 44.1mpg on average, while emissions from the ISG (stop-start) model are as low as 149g/km. Don't forget the company's five-year, 100,000-mile warranty or its usually excellent reliability record, either.