Over the last few months Car Showroom has spent some time behind the wheel of Hyundai’s iX35 compact SUV and the opportunity to test the range-topping Highlander model was good news.
With the latest 2,0-litre turbo-diesel engine and a full range of luxury equipment, the $37,990 Hyundai iX35 Highlander is a standout bargain in the SUV ranks.
Hyundai iX35 Highlander Overview
Warmly received when it debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, the Hyundai iX35 again shows how Hyundai, and sister company Kia, have become world players in the automotive industry. Nicely styled, well built and handy to drive, the iX35 is a key participant in Hyundai’s global sales explosion.
The Hyundai iX35 Highlander is a compact SUV ideal for family buyers. As tested, the Hyundai iX35 Highlander adds luxury touches like leather seats and the surprisingly agile and refined 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, developed in-house by Hyundai at a cost of $227 million.
With handy interior space and load versatility, the Hyundai iX35 Highlander can stand proud against any rival compact SUV.
Hyundai iX35 Highlander Engine
Hyundai is justifiably proud of its R-series diesel engine. As fitted to the Hyundai iX35 Highlander, it’s a 2.0-litre common rail direct injection turbo-diesel and you can expect to see this powerplant and derivatives powering future Hyundais.
Maximum power is 135kW at 4,000rpm and peak torque of 392Nm is available from as low as 1,800rpm. Nissan’s comparable Dualis is only sold locally with a petrol engine, but its turbo-diesel X-Trail extracts 127kW/360Nm from its 2.0-litre engine.
Hyundai’s diesel is a 16-valve DOHC design and runs the third generation Bosch common rail injection system plus variable geometry turbocharger. That combination is all about reduced fuel consumption/emissions and handy performance.
Fuel consumption is rated at 7.5l/100kms and exhaust emissions at 198g/km.
By any measure this is an impressive effort by Hyundai. The turbo-diesel Hyundai iX35 Highlander is responsive and nicely refined – in fact it’s a lot better than many rival diesel engines from Japan and rivals the best from Europe.
Drive is to all four wheels via Hyundai’s own six-speed automatic transmission.
Hyundai iX35 Highlander Interior
As good as the Hyundai iX35 Highlander’s exterior is, the interior is no less impressive. Modern, stylish, light and airy, the Hyundai iX35 Highlander is a very pleasant place to be.
The Hyundai iX35 Highlander model as tested gains leather seats (heated fronts), a panoramic glass roof, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning and a rear view camera with a 8.5cm colour LCD screen built into the internal rear-vision mirror.
Behind the wheel, the driver scores six-way electronic seat adjustment, including lumbar support. The four-spoke steering wheel only adjusts for rake.
Instrumentation is conventional with Hyundai’s normal blue-colour backlighting and we liked the style/layout of the center console controls for audio and air. Highlander gains a six-stack CD sound system with iPod, MP3 and USB connectivity and remote controls on the steering wheel.
Rear seat accommodation is class-competitive for a compact SUV and the Car Showroom Juniors particularly liked the large panoramic glass sunroof, which enhances the light, airy feel of the interior. An adjustable roller blind covers the roof for warmer months.
A weekend family road trip saw the 728-litre luggage capacity appreciated and the luggage screen and restraining net (an inclusion in the Highlander model) kept things secure.
Hyundai iX35 Highlander Exterior & Styling
Created at Hyundai’s Design center, Europe in Russelsheim, Germany, the Hyundai iX35 Highlander drew considerable praise at its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show and still looks good on the road.
There are curves galore in the aerodynamic body (Hyundai calls it ‘Fluidic Sculpture) and short front/rear overhangs contribute to compact overall dimensions.
At the front, the Hyundai iX35 Highlander model gains some chrome trim for the hexagonal grille. In the modern way, iX35’s Headlights are steeply raked back onto the leading edge of the sculptured front fenders.
A swept-back front A-pillar and triangular third side windows give the side view a sporty touch, while the rear is highlighted by swooping taillights and a tail-gate spoiler.
Hyundai iX35 Highlander runs stylish 18-inch alloy wheels.
Hyundai iX35 Highlander On The Road
Having tested other iX35 models, we knew the Highlander was going to deliver impressive driving dynamics. However the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine was a real surprise.
Impressively quiet, even when first started on cold mornings – the ultimate test for diesel refinement – the R-Series diesel provides handy acceleration and is nicely matched to the six-speed automatic transmission.
Standard safety features are abundant – Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Downhill Brake Control (DBC), four-channel ABS anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
Hyundai’s all-wheel-drive system normally drives only the front wheels but distributes drive around when things get slippery. There is a driver-select AWD lock to give 50/50 torque distribution in off-road or icy conditions.
Korean engineers used Australian roads and bush tracks to finesse the iX35s suspension and this work has paid off. Our Hyundai iX35 Highlander encountered some foul weather and muddy going during our weekend trip and it performed admirably.
On the freeway, the Hyundai iX35 Highlander was quiet and refined with nice responsiveness for overtaking. And we had no complaints after tackling our high-speed mountain roads – also in the wet.
Around town, the Hyundai iX35 Highlander's compact dimensions were appreciated on a couple of bad days for Melbourne’s road system.
Hyundai iX35 Highlander Challenges
Hyundai iX35 Highlander’s handy 10.5-metre turning circle helps parking maneuvers and the rear view camera in the Highlander specifications is a winner - however the thick, angled C-pillars do require careful judgment when reverse angle parking.
And a bit more length in the front seat lumbar area would provide extra comfort.
Hyundai iX35 Highlander Verdict
Entry to the iX35 is the $26,990 Active model and the range-topping Highlander as tested is stickered at $37,990. We reckon the ix35 Highlander is a remarkable buy – nicely styled, well built, practical and good to drive.
Hyundai iX35 Highlander Competition
The Hyundai iX35 Highlander’s most direct rival is the Kia Sportage and while the Hyundai scores ahead of the current Sportage, comparisons are complicated because Kia is about to launch and all-new model next week.
The English built Nissan Dualis is superb, but is currently only sold with a petrol engine. Likewise Mitsubishi’s Outlander, Honda’s CRV and Ford’s Escape – not a diesel to be seen.
In the mix with diesel power are the Volkswagen Tiguan and Renault Koleos
Likes:
Feature-loaded and value-packed; nice looks; excellent diesel
Dislikes:
Short front seats; rear three-quarter vision
