Tucson’s Replacement Looks Great
Hyundai’s all-new ix35 has European style, a choice of three engines and is very keenly priced – a great start for success in the ultra-competitive compact SUV segment.
Hyundai ix35’s sleek looks provide a stark contrast to the ageing Tucson model it has replaced and the sophisticated style – inside and out – underlines why Hyundai’s new stature as one of the world’s premier automotive manufacturers has rivals worried.
Last year Hyundai surged ahead of Ford to become the world’s fourth best-selling automobile brand and displaced Toyota to secure fourth position in the respected JD Power initial ownership quality survey. Only luxury brands Lexus, Porsche and Cadillac ranked ahead of Hyundai in the ’09 JD Power results.
What You Get
Car Showroom first saw the ix35 at its global unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor show late last year and we were immediately impressed by the numerous curves on the outside and its equally contemporary interior. Fast forward to the local introduction and we’re still convinced the influence of the company’s European styling studio in Russellsheim, Germany will resonate with Australian compact SUV buyers – this is a handsome vehicle.
ix35 is available locally in three model grades – Active, Elite and the range-topping Highlander.
A 2.0-litre petrol engine powers the entry-level Active, driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Pricing is $26,990 (manual) or $28,990 (auto).
Mid-spec Elite offers a choice of 2.4-litre petrol or 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines, driving all four wheels (on-demand AWD) via a six-speed automatic transmission. Pricing is $31,990 (petrol) or $34,990 (diesel).
The Highlander - hero of the ix35 lineup - is also AWD but is only available with the diesel powerplant and six-speed auto. It retails for $37,990.
Under The Hood
ix35’s two petrol engines (2.0-litre and 2.4-litre) are both from Hyundai’s global ‘Theta-II’ family. They’re both DOHC Dual CVVT (continuously variable valve timing) designs for strong performance in low and mid-range.
The 2.0-litre provides 122kW of power at 6200rpm and peak torque of 197Nm at 4600 rpm. For the 2.4-litre, power is up to 130kW at 6000rpm and torque is 227Nm at 4000rpm.
Nissan’s Dualis has a 2.0-litre petrol powerplant with 102kW/198Nm while Toyota’s RAV4 has a 2.4-litre petrol engine with 125kW/225Nm.
On the diesel front Hyundai’s new 2.0-litre R-series engine is the culmination of a $227 million investment. With Bosch’s common rail direct injection system delivering fuel at very high pressure (1800 car), a variable geometry turbocharger and diesel particulate filter, it is quite, clean and offers good performance.
Maximum power is 135kW at 4000 rpm and peak torque of 392Nm is delivered between 1880-2500 rpm. Those are impressive figures – in fact the closest direct rival diesel engine is Nissan’s 2.5-litre fitted to the X-TRAIL which offers 127kW/360Nm (manual transmission models).
Fuel consumption for the ix35 is rated at 8.5l/100kms for the 2.0-litre petrol, 9.2l/100kms for the 2.4-litre petrol and 7.5l/100kms for the 2.0-litre diesel.
The Interior
With a wheelbase of 2640mm, Hyundai’s design team has provided impressive cabin space for ix35 occupants. All models have six-way electric adjustment for the drivers’ seat, while top-of-the range Highlander models feature all-leather upholstery (Elite gets a combination of leather and cloth while entry-level Active has good quality cloth trim).
The front seats are nicely sculptured and that electronic adjustment provides a comfortable driving position.
Elite and Highlander models come with push button start and proximity keys (manual unlocking of doors is obsolete). Range-topping Highlander also features an enormous front-to-rear panoramic glass roof.
Instruments are backlit in Hyundai’s usual blue colour and Highlander models gain a great reversing camera, which displays its image (with guidance lines) on the interior rear view mirror.
Air-conditioning is standard (dual-zone climate control on Highlander). The audio is a six-speaker system (in-dash six-CD stacker in Highlander) with USB and iPod connectivity and four-function steering wheel controls.
The luggage area isn’t massive, but with 728-litres (rear seats up) or 2885-litres (seats folded) should be enough for most families. All-wheel-drive models offer a towing capacity up to 1600kgs.
Exterior & Styling
You struggle to find a straight line on the ix35’s exterior. It’s certainly curvaceous – Hyundai calls it ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ – and contemporary.
Created by Hyundai’s European designers in Germany, the production ix35 is very similar to the ‘ix-onic’ concept car and brings into production that concept’s hexagonal grille - which the company says will henceforth be part of the Hyundai design DNA.
The sharp contours of the side profile form a ‘Double Z’.
We admire the steeply raked C-Pillar and triangular rear three-quarter windows, which wrap into the three-dimensional rear end sweeping rear lights.
Active models ride on 17-inch steel wheels; Elite models gain 17-inch alloys while Highlander looks great with 18-inch alloys.
The end result is a modern design - clearly European-influenced – with a tasteful colour palette. Combine this good work with the equally impressive Sorento, Cerato and Koup and you could argue – at least in the case of the Hyundai-Kia conglomerate – that the Korean automotive companies have shrugged-off their domestic design nuances as they focus on sales success in Europe and North America.
On The Road
Effective time management by the Hyundai team enabled us to test all ix35 variants in the one day.
The 2.0-litre diesel is a superb engine – uncannily quiet at all speeds and a lively performer either in full auto of when you opt for the self-shifting mode in the sequential automatic transmission. Hyundai is justifiably proud of its proprietary six-speed auto (joining only Toyota and the Ford/GM joint venture in producing in-house a six-speeder - everyone else uses outsourced technology).
Of the two petrol engines, the larger 2.4-litre does go about its work noticeably easier than its smaller sibling (less gear shifting climbing hills) but both are pleasant enough.
Although we didn’t encounter heavy-duty off-road action, ix35 comes with a driver-selectable center differential lock, 170mm ground clearance, approach angle of 28.1 degrees, departure angle 26.9 degrees and ramp-over angle of 17.0 degrees. So you get the impression this mid-size Hyundai would be a reasonable performer even though the standard Kumho tyres are clearly biased for smooth, refined on-road driving.
Overall, the three ix35 models were impressively refined and handled well.
Challenges
On secondary roads with relentless bumps, the ix35 did pitch somewhat in the suspension (meaning it took a little while for the rebound to settle). This was most noticeable in the Highlander which tips the scales at 1706kgs.
Verdict
Hyundai says most ix35 customers will be first time SUV buyers or that demographic loosely called ‘Soccer Mums’ - and for them, it adds-up nicely. Although just a few dollars more than the superseded Tuscon, the ix35 is clearly a ‘World Car’ for Hyundai with its European design, all-round quality and extensive features.
The Competition
Varies according to ix35 models, but you’d reckon Nissan Dualis and X-TRAIL, Holden Captiva, Mitsubishi Outlander, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Kia’s Sorento would be in the mix. At the top end, Volkswagen’s Tiguan and Toyota’s RAV4 are also in play.
Likes
Nice design, handy diesel, value-packed
Dislikes
Suspension control deteriorates in secondary roads.
