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Hyundai ix35
Car Review
Hyundai IX35
The Hyundai ix35 is a practical, good looking crossover that represents decent value for money when the excellent warranty and good levels of equipment are taken into account.
Hyundai ix35 Car Review Summary
The Hyundai ix35 looks set to continue the success that the Korean company has enjoyed recently with smaller cars.
It’s described as a crossover but is in essence a small off-roader based on the platform of the highly successful i30 hatchback.
It is a decent offering from a company that is rapidly moving away from its reputation of building cheep and cheerful cars.
The Hyundai ix35 is available with two 2.0-litre engines - a petrol and a diesel. The diesel is top quality offering plenty of pulling power and surprisingly sharp acceleration that makes over-taking compulsory.
In fact, there’s so much grunt that it’s easy to set the front wheels spinning if you pull away too quickly in the front-wheel-drive versions.
The Hyundai ix35 is a logical rival for the likes of the Ford Kuga and the Nissan Qashqai. But Hyundai also reckon it is a genuine competitor for smaller hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus. Indeed by pricing it competitively and filling it with huge amounts of standard kit, this idea does make some sense.
Practicality
The Hyundai has all the qualities required to make it a good family car. There is lots of leg and head room front and back and the wide cabin means rear seat passengers have plenty of shoulder room.
It is child-friendly thanks to the almost-flat floor and large door openings while all the materials used in the cabin are hard-wearing so should survive the worst that the kids can come up with.
It is versatile as the large, well-shaped boot and 60/40 split rear seats can be folded to leave a flat floor.
The driver gets a raised driving position ensuring a good view and the feel of sitting in a big off-roader. Most shapes and sizes will be able to get comfortable behind a steering wheel which in common with the driver’s seat offers a decent range of adjustment.
The dashboard is easy to find your way around although the optional satellite navigation system can be hard to read on the rare occasions the sun puts in an appearance.
Hyundai ix35
Life Style
The Hyundai ix35 is a stylish looking motor you’ll be happy to be seen out and about in.
The cabin is a refined place to be although some noise from the otherwise excellent diesel engine does make it inside. Road and wind noise are well contained though.
The seats in the Hyundai ix35 are firm and supportive, and are also heated even in the entry-level model.
The car is a decent drive with a slightly firm ride to reduce body roll in corners. However, the suspension does absorb must humps and hollows so you won’t need to visit the dentist after encountering a rough road.
The Hyundai ix35’s steering strikes a pleasing balance between low-speed manoeuvrability when parking in town and high-speed control when cruising on a motorway.
Hyundai is improving its reputation for reliability and nothing highlights this more than the company’s commitment to a five year unlimited mileage warranty.
The Hyundai ix35 is cheap to buy compared with most rivals and resale values are expected to be good.
If you choose the front-wheel drive diesel model running costs will be reasonable - but even the higher emissions and fuel consumption of four-wheel-drive models will not threaten bankruptcy for the ix35’s owner.
The dashboard is stylish, but it’s a shame that the plastics are hard to the touch as the design is pleasing on the eye.
As far as the environment is concerned the four-wheel drive diesel version of the Hyundai ix35 is one of the cleanest on the market.
Hyundai ix35
Security and Safety
The Hyundai ix35 gets the usual security features of alarm, immobiliser and electronic central locking.
As far as safety is concerned all versions get front, front side and full length curtain airbags, stability control, active front head restraints, electronic brakeforce distribution and downhill brake control.
The Finishing Touches
There are two trim levels for the Hyundai ix35 - Style and Premium - with even the basic model featuring lots of kit including air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, electric front and rear windows, electric heated door mirrors with integral indicators, follow-me-home headlight function, front fog lights and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The stereo offers an iPod connection as standard, and is simple to use. Satnav is available as part of a Media option pack that also brings a reversing camera and an upgraded stereo.
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