Hyundai ix35 2010 Review

Hyundai ix35

What we liked
>> Modern style
>> Impressive diesel engine
>> Good equipment level across the range

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.0/5.0 (Diesel)
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 2.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 2.5/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0

About our ratings

Like the other i-series models (the new Sonata will be renamed i45), the ix35 moves the brand's styling on... In the case of the softroader, it is the work of Hyundai's European design studio in Russelsheim, Germany, and an evolution of the brand's 'Fluidic Sculpture' design language inside and out.

But Hyundai will need to need to offer more than just a stylish car to win the war, because the competition in the compact SUV segment is extensive and strong. The Tuscon was incredibly successful for the brand, finishing third in the segment's sales race last year, so too much change could be a bad thing. The South Korean brand needs to make sure it doesn't ask customers to accept too much (in terms of both price and perception) from a brand renowned for value and affordability as they push towards the new image.

Thus, there's a lot riding on the ix35, as Hyundai Australia Marketing Director, Oliver Mann admits.

"We need to sell the brand, as well as the car," he says. "Re-imaged is a term that applies to all new Hyundai models."

Despite being pitched as a family car, none of the models are available with rear air vents. Maybe it's just this author's opinion, but as far as I'm concerned if a car has more than two-doors it needs rear air vents; children and other rear occupants need ventilation just as much as the front seat passengers. Hyundai isn't the only company guilty of this but if it wants to be chosen on quality it needs to better the competition, not cut corners.

The other glaring omission is a lack of reach adjustability for the steering. Even though it can be adjusted for tilt the lack of reach means finding the ideal driving position will be a tough ask for most drivers. Unlike the vents, though, Hyundai Australia says a fix is on the way and will be installed, most likely, in the first model year update.

Those complaints aside the ix35 is a well equipped car in each of its three trim levels -- Active, Elite and Highlander.

The base level Active (from $26,990, see below) is fitted with Downhill Brake Control and Hill Start Assist Control, electronically adjustable driver's seat, AUX and USB ports with iPod compatibility, steering wheel mounted audio controls, cruise control, body-coloured side mirrors and 17-inch steel wheels.

Step up to the Elite and you can add roof rails, front fog lamps, dusk-sensing headlights, leather/cloth trim, leather steering wheel, luggage net, keyless entry/start and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The range-topping Highlander has everything in the Elite plus panoramic sunroof, electric folding mirrors, full leather trim, heated front seats, rear view camera, dual zone air-conditioning, six-disc CD stereo with amp and subwoofer and 18-inch alloy wheels. It really is one with the lot.

All models carry full size spare wheels.

Pricing for the ix35 range starts at $26,990 (manufacturer list price not including government and dealer charges) for the front-wheel-drive-only Active with 2.0-litre petrol engine and five-speed manual transmission. Opting for the six-speed automatic gearbox means a starting price of $28,990.

The Elite with 2.4-litre petrol, all-wheel drive and six-speed automatic starts at $31,990 while the equivalent 2.0-litre diesel is priced from $34,990.

The Highlander is only available with the 2.0-litre diesel with all-wheel drive and six-speed automatic and starts at $37,990.

The larger 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol in the Elite raises power to 130kW and torque to 227Nm.

But unless you have a real aversion to diesel, then the 2.0-litre turbodiesel is the pick of the range. Available in both the Elite and the Highlander, it packs 135kW and an impressive 392Nm and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and Hyundai's all-wheel drive system in both grades.

The auto transmission is a new unit developed in-house by Hyundai. It is a compact transaxle designed for transverse engine applications. Hyundai is justifiably proud of itself for becoming, as it claims, only the third manufacturer to develop its own six-speed auto. That said, it's worth noting that the tranny arrives as dual-clutch transmissions begin to takeover the role of torque-converter automatics in some automotive segments.

Not surprisingly, the diesel trumps both petrol engines for fuel economy. The diesel is capable of 7.5L/100km on the combined cycle, the 2.0 petrol uses 8.5L/100km and the 2.4 petrol is rated at 9.2L/km.

As was the case with the i30, the ix35's suspension has been specially tuned for Australian conditions. Engineers from Hyundai Australia gave input into the set-up during the car's development in Korea before the changes were verified during local testing.

Whereas the outgoing car looked like Hyundai's of old, the ix35 has no trouble taking its place among the crowd of trendy European compact SUVs that includes the Volkswagen Tiguan, Renault Koleos, Ford Kuga (eventually destined for Oz) and Skoda Yeti (on its way later in 2010-11). It also helps the car stand apart from the established crowd of Japanese offerings that include the top selling Subaru Forester and Toyota's RAV4.

The designers in Russelsheim have given the ix35 -- closely based on the 'ix-onic' concept car --some very dramatic lines and creases that lend it the look of a much more expensive car. The hexagonal grille is a new feature and will be carried across the rest of the product range in the future to give Hyundai a new family 'face'.

Inside there is an increase in the amount of soft-touch plastic and leather used but it's the new design that stands out. The centre console and steering wheel carry over the same hexagonal theme from the grille to give the ix35 a much more refined interior finish.

In terms of size, the ix35 sits comfortably in the heart of the compact SUV segment. There is good boot space and the rear seats would be comfortable for young children or adults on short trips.

The addition of Downhill Brake Control and Hill Start Assist not only improve the ix35's off-road credentials (for the rare breed that actually take these cars out of the 'burbs), but are a safety bonus too.

Ultra-high tensile steel is used in over 68 per cent of the body shell for improve passive safety. European crash testing should deliver Hyundai a five-star result. No local crash test has been conducted yet.

Given that the Tuscon was able to claim third overall last year behind the Forester and RAV4 then it's hard not to think Subaru and Toyota will be worried. Add an attractive diesel/auto powertrain to the mix (Subaru will offer diesel/manual only when the diesel Forester arrives later this year and Toyota still refuses to offer a diesel alternative for RAV4 Down Under) and you can understand why Hyundai is excited about the iX.

Hyundai Australia is targeting around 1000 sales per month which should mean the ix35 pips the Tuscon's 11,405 sales last year.

Still, compact SUV buyers are spoiled for choice and with the likes of VW Tiguan, Nissan X-Trail, Mazda CX-7, Mitsubishi Outlander and Honda CR-V, Hyundai will still need to work hard for each sale.

The wildcard will be the introduction of newer, cheaper offerings in the segment from Asia's newest automotive player, China. As Hyundai looks to re-position itself as a brand of quality, Great Wall emerges with the X240 to answer the demand of people looking for cheap transportation.

But if you are interested in tackling longer trips or demand more from your chassis, then the likes of the Tiguan and Koleos should be on your shopping list. Compared to a Forester or RAV4 though, the ix35 is on par.

Despite getting more power out of the Active's 2.0-litre petrol four, the bad news is it simply isn't enough. On the open road the engine laboured with only two passengers and no luggage. If you plan on spending the majority of your time commuting around the suburbs and shopping centres, then the Active could be an option.

The Elite's 2.4 is better, but not a lot. It has just enough power to get the job done but requires hard work and a heavy right foot at times. It's a competent unit and nothing more.

Thankfully, the disappointment of the petrol engines is overcome by the strong performance of the turbodiesel. The turbo may come in with a bang on hard acceleration but that quibble aside it is a torquey unit with good low-end grunt. It is also nicely refined, not too far off the levels of sophistication you expect from the best European oil-burners.

The work done by Hyundai Australia on the suspension has paid off. The ride is good both on and off-road. Driven hard across loose-surface back roads around greater Melbourne, the ix35 performed admirably, even on the Highlander's 18-inch rims. So while it may not be a bush-basher it's a match for most of its competitors.

But while the suspension is a winner, the steering is not. It gets the job done but is too lightly weighted and feels vague and disconnected much of the time. The lack of reach adjustability adds to the problem.

It's probably a compliment to the designers more than anything, but for a car that stands out so far from the pack visually, the driven experience is very much mid-pack.

For most buyers though, the dynamic disappointments probably aren't deal breakers, especially if you are looking to urban transport that is more suited to the school run and urban warfare than the great outdoors.

Thus, despite its shortcomings, the ix35 could well be the breakthrough model for which Hyundai has waited. With a new midsizer and light car (and perhaps even a rear-drive coupe) waiting in the wings, the brand is banking that this softroader will push it further up the sales charts and raises the bar for all Korean cars to follow.

Watch Carsales TV's Hyundai ix35 video review here

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