Hyundai ix35 Elite 2014 Review

I really disliked the Hyundai ix35 compact SUV when I first drove it. It was just so poorly developed for Australian conditions with crashy suspension, vacant steering and a woeful electronic stability control tune.

Some time later an executive from Hyundai Australia told me the subsequent critical review was dismissed as a rogue resulting from my bias against the brand.

Well, someone at the Korean company’s Aussie outpost must have eventually realised shooting the messenger wasn’t worth it, because these days the company makes a big song and dance about the localised suspension tuning improvements it makes to its cars – including the ix35 Series II we are testing here.

And you know what? It works. The ix35 is now a significantly improved drive compared to the original. If this version had been around a few years ago it would have challenged for best in class honours. Now, in the era of the Mazda CX-5, it’s still a rung or two off the pace. But hey, before it didn’t even have a foot (wheel?) on the ladder.

At motoring.com.au we’ve already detailed the ix35 suspension localisation process and road tested the entry-level front-wheel drive 2.0-litre Active variant. Now it’s time to step up into the popular mid-spec Elite.

It sits at the cross-roads of the ix35 range, coming as an front-wheel drive (FWD) 2.0-litre petrol, all-wheel drive (AWD) 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and – as we are testing it here – a $35,990 (plus ORCs), version combining AWD with an uprated direct injection version of the Theta II 2.4-litre petrol engine.

So to summarise the stuff that makes the driving difference: there are new coil springs and stabiliser bars and the front sub-frame mount changes from solid to bush-type. The electric-assist power steering – which replaced a hydraulic system in 2011 – has a faster processor and quicker steering ratio.

As a result of all this the ix35 drives very differently on a bumpy, granulated and poorly cambered road – in other words an Australian highway. While some initial ride compliance has been sacrificed, the pay-off comes with a distinctly improved level of body control.

So while there is a little more patter on small bumps, there is a world of difference in the car’s ability cope with big hits.

It handles with a surer sense of predictable understeer. A sharp lift mid-corner introduces mild oversteer. The on-demand all-wheel drive system hooks up well under hard acceleration on dirt.

The steering is certainly quicker, yet still feel-less – at least there’s no serious kick back. There is a variance of effort off centre and noticeable low speed friction, which means the wheel doesn’t self centre promptly when twirling around a car park.

An improved stability control tune is obvious. Nothing has been done to its calibration, but because the chassis now works so much better it intervenes later and does so in a far more predictable manner.

It’s also predictable that combining the Elite’s 1585kg kerb weight with an engine that makes 136kW (plus 6kW) at 6000rpm and 240Nm (plus 13Nm) at 4000rpm means there is plenty of time spent generating lots of revs, dashing up and down through the well calibrated six-speed automatic transmission and watching the fuel consumption rate rise.

The claim is 9.8L/100km – actually 0.6L/100km higher than the old port injection engine – and we ended up at 10.2L/100km. It’s not a figure that matches the best in class. Unfortunately, nor does performance. The extra 152Nm of the turbo-diesel engine certainly pops into the mind as the Elite works enthusiastically and smoothly – but laboriously – up steep hills. Mind you, there’s also more than 100kg in extra weight, along with a $2600 price premium to consider if the 2.0-litre tempts.

Most other aspects of the ix35 remain familiar, which means quite sharp looks outside and inside backed up by a reasonable level of build and a good level of kit that includes a reversing camera, six airbags, anti-lock brakes, downhill brake control and the aforementioned stability control. The safety inventory is capped off by a five-star ANCAP rating.

There’s also sat-nav, cruise control, a cloth/vinyl-esque seat upholstery, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming, six-speaker audio including tweeters, steering wheel audio controls, USB audio input with iPod compatibility and auxiliary 3.5mm audio input jack.

A five-year unlimited warranty and three-year capped-price servicing is also part of the package.

New Elite features include metal-effect roof rails, projector beam – replacing parabolic reflector – headlights, LED positioning lights and new-design alloy wheels. Inside there are more soft-touch materials (still plenty of hard stuff though), mood lighting in the reshaped cupholders, and two-stage reclining of the 60/40 split-fold rear seat.

The added rear seat functionality improves an already well thought-out interior package. There’s plentiful space and storage up-front and the driver gets a reach and rake adjustable steering wheel power seat adjustment and push-button start.

There is decent space in the rear seat – including headroom – for two full-size adults and three at a squeeze. Entry and exit is easy via wide opening doors and storage is provided via both door bins and string nets in both seats.

Perhaps the most notable interior negative is the amount of road noise and suspension and tyre thump that transmits into the cabin.

The storage area is excellent, considering this vehicle is a relatively modest 4410mm long. Behind a single piece vertically opening tailgate you’ll find a minimum 465 and maximum 1436 litres of space. A retractable security blind is standard, as is a full-size spare tyre under the floor and a storage recess in the sidewall.

The ix35 Elite combines some key improvements with plenty that was already known and worthwhile, which means it is vastly improved compared to the original. It’s still not the best compact SUV around, but it’s certainly now worthy of adding to the consideration list if you’re in the market.

2014 Hyundai ix35 Elite pricing and specifications:
Price: $35,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 136kW/240Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 233g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP