Buying a used Hyundai ix35 (2010-2016)

Hyundai during its early years was a brand doomed to derision, but no one is laughing now. Korea’s biggest car-maker has contenders for leadership in at least two market segments and more on the way.

Previously known as the Tucson, the Hyundai ix35 was another compact family wagon, adopting the new name during 2010 to accompany a restyle that also promised plenty of user-friendly advances.

The new design was bright, bold and distinctive, albeit derivative, according to Ford. The air intake, as on the Tucson, was bisected by the bumper but it had grown larger.

In combination with new headlight clusters, the ix35 ‘face’ was far more interesting than before and exactly in tune with its sporty, slit-windowed profile.

According to Hyundai, the design reflected its concept of ‘fluidic sculpture’ which took inspiration from nature and utilised natural curves rather than the sharply defined edges that defined other SUV designs of the time.

Whatever its rationale, the ix35 was a pretty vehicle and destined to age gracefully. That’s a big help if you have one to sell or are a buyer who doesn’t want to burn too much in depreciation during your period of ownership. 

At introduction, four versions of the ix35 were earmarked for Australia. Cheapest of these with an RRP of just $26,900 was the front-wheel drive ix35 Active in five-speed manual spec. The ix35 Active models were the only ix35 variants to offer five-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmission choices, and the only ones with a 122kW 2.0-litre petrol engine.

Next up was the ix35 Elite with a 130kW 2.4-litre engine, paired only to a six-speed auto. Prices for this popular, mid-spec all-wheel drive model began at $31,990, rising to $34,990 if you preferred the 135kW turbo-diesel version.

Top of the ix35 heap and priced at a still-attractive $35,490 was the 130kW petrol ix35 Highlander. It could also be upscaled to a diesel but both versions featured a sumptuous cabin with dual-zone climate control, heated leather seats, a camera feeding images to the multifunction colour screen, rear privacy tinting and an in-cabin CD stacker.

Wheels were 18-inch alloys and Hyundai was sensible enough to include a full-size spare wheel.

Even the cloth-trimmed ix35 Active still came with an impressive list of features including powered seat adjusters, heated mirrors, keyless entry, steering wheel controls and a rear parking sensor.

Other ix35 safety features included front, head and side airbags, and electronic traction and stability control. Based on Euro NCAP tests, the local model also achieved a five-star rating.

The ix35 made itself immediately at home in Hyundai showrooms, selling 7000 units in 2011 and capturing fourth place in a hotly contested segment during 2012 with sales of 11,500. It also survived for six years with just one minor facelift, helping build buyer confidence in the brand and solid resale values.

Series II versions of the ix35 appeared locally in 2013 and it took a keen car spotter to pick the external changes.

These included improved LED headlights, aerodynamic ‘metal effect’ roof rails and prettier wheels.

Under the bonnet were two new petrol engines including a revised 2.4-litre with 136kW. Manual versions now came with six ratios, matching the automatic, and there was an additional SE variant. These were built in the Czech Republic and were available with either a 2.0-litre petrol or diesel engine, the front-drive petrol priced from $30,990 and the 4x4 diesel adding $4000.

The SE offered lots of comfort for the money though, with pretty much an ix35 Highlander interior including the heated leather seats. 

Off-road capability might not rank high on a Hyundai ix35 owner’s list of important attributes, and that’s a shame.

The small SUV, especially with the added torque of a diesel engine, is by all reports quite competent in mild-to-moderate off-road conditions.

The single-range four-wheel drive system is deployed via a dash-mounted button and splits torque evenly between front and rear wheels. Suspension articulation is limited as you might expect, as is ground clearance, but videos of ix35s tackling snow, mud and gravel reveal unexpected levels of competence.

If you don’t need the added weight or complexity of AWD then that’s also fine with the ix35. So is resistance to automatic-only motoring and explains why around a third of the Active FWD models in today’s used market are manual and why prices aren’t far below the cost of automatics with comparable kilometres.

That said, the six-speed auto offers a manual over-ride system which lets you slot quickly into a lower ratio if you encounter a steep descent or need to nip past something on a rural road.

At around-town speeds the early cars’ suspension settings might feel a little jiggly. In rougher conditions and when travelling at higher speeds the stiff springing could present other challenges such as pitching the SUV offline due to mid-bend bumps while not doing much to control body roll.

Post-2013 models had their spring rates and bushings revised specifically to answer concerns about the factory set-up’s incompatibility with rougher Australian roads. The brakes have plenty of bite and that will be important to owners who want to utilise the full 1600kg (braked) towing capacity.

Interior space and load capacity are excellent with easy access through the hatch or rear doors. Some people grumble about the lack of a sub-boot but, hey, there’s a full-size spare down there, for which you might be grateful one dark night a long way from home.

The Hyundai ix35 doesn’t look especially hefty, but a Highlander diesel weighs 1670kg unladen. Add 300kg of occupants plus some luggage and you have two tonnes to shift. Add a boat or camper (the ix35 can legally tow 1600kg braked) and your compact SUV is grossing around three tonnes which will really stretch the tendons of a petrol version.

If your intent is to travel or tow regularly, get a diesel.

Fuel consumption from the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel averages 7.5L/100km, whereas the 2.4-litre petrol version (which can survive on 91 RON ULP) is listed at 9.2L/100km average for combined urban and extra-urban driving.

>> The Hyundai ix35 was involved in several safety-related recalls and any car you’re considering should have its VIN checked with a dealer to ensure the remedial work has been completed. Issues included a seat belt pretensioner fault, airbag issues with around 32,000 vehicles involved (NOT the Takata problem), a fuel leak from early turbo-diesel models and leaks from the cooling system for some automatics.

>> All-wheel drive versions will handle gravel, smooth sand tracks and moderate slush but the iX35 is not a serious off-roader.  Check the floors for scuffing and dents, sills for scrape marks and bumpers front and rear for cracks. The half-shafts are vulnerable to damage and contaminants being forced past CV joint seals.

>> Diesels that plod around the suburbs are at risk of clogging their particulate filter. These need to be heated by a decent freeway or highway run (an hour or so every couple of weeks) to prevent carbon accumulating. A diesel that drops into ‘limp home’ mode will need its filter cleaned and perhaps replaced, which is costly. Some fuel additives are said to delay contamination of the DPF.

>> Intermittent electrical problems are reported by owners, ranging from the sound system cutting in and out to the engine stopping altogether. This most commonly happened at idle or when trying to reverse into a parking space. Inspect service books, looking for dealer visits outside service intervals and be suspicious of any vehicle without history.

Used vehicle grading for Hyundai ix35:
Design & Function: 13/20
Safety: 14/20
Practicality: 14/20
Value for Money: 13/20
Wow Factor: 10/20
Score: 64/100