I must admit that I was quite excited when Hyundai launched the new ix35 in May this year, not only because I get excited every time a new vehicle is launched, but because I never really liked the Tucson. Yes, it was immensely popular and certainly more than capable – tough even – but I just never saw it as ‘pretty’, or even attractive. With an ever more competitive market staring Hyundai right in the eye, the ix35 came at a crucial moment. The Tucson was definitely showing its age, and Hyundai needed something fresher and funkier, with good specification and exceptional value for money to reposition itself in the competitive crossover/SUV segment.
Demand for the ix35 is proof of this, with many customers complaining about the waiting period. However, Hyundai has taken this in their stride and I have heard only impressive stories of the effort Hyundai is putting in to satisfy this demand. In one example, a friend was told that she’d have to wait two weeks, which over night turned into two days! This may seem like a simple sycophantic ramble, but if you’ve tried to buy a car in the past year, you will know how insolent and incompetent some dealers are.
Back to the ix35, it’s styling is striking and confident, discarding the Tucson’s bulbous hatchback look for a sleek, low-line, one-box shape that’s fluid, sweeping and decidedly modern whilst retaining an athletic sportiness. It’s slightly lower than the Tucson, but longer and wider, making a big impact on interior space but also giving it a low-to-the-ground feel. The sportiness is emphasized by the 18-inch alloy wheels and clever use of black plastic and chrome accents. The new hexagonal grille with its chrome styling line gives the ix35 a classy feel, echoed by the elongated taillight clusters and rounded off by the sloped rear window and pronounced spoiler.
Subjectively I find the ix35 magnificent to look at, and based on the rapidly growing number of them gracing our roads, it’s safe to say that the car’s looks have objectively also won over many fans. In fact, a car dealer friend confirmed that the brand he represents – playing in a slightly higher segment – is losing a scary number of sales to the ix35…
Inside the ix35 also impressed with its ample interior space and high quality finishing with subtle chrome accents, like on the leather-trimmed four-spoke steering wheel (that reinforces the ‘x’ theme). The instrument cluster borrows Supervision technology from the Genesis luxury sedan and displays critical information with clarity and very little eye stress. All instruments and gauges are backlit in Hyundai’s signature blue colour, while all controls are ergonomically sound: easy to reach, read and use.
Our 2.0 CRDI 4X4 Auto came standard with steering wheel-mounted audio remote controls, multimedia interface, reverse camera in the rearview mirror, leather-trimmed gearknob, full-function driving computer, 60:40 split rear seats, auto-arming central locking, electric windows all round, black leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, electric folding mirrors, cruise control (with switchgear on the steering wheel), an electrically-adjusted driver’s seat with lumbar support, dual panoramic sunroofs, push button start with smart-key proximity sensor, and – to maximize the sound quality of the 6-speaker/6CD sound system – a separate amplifier. Yes, it’s surprisingly extensive…
With 130 kW at 4 000 r/min and 392Nm between 1 800 and 2 500 r/min, the CRDi R2,0-litre is the newest member of Hyundai’s ‘R’ diesel engine family and benefits from the third generation common rail system developed by Bosch, whose piezo-electric injectors deliver fuel at 1800 bar pressure, providing an unprecedented degree of accuracy and control. An electronically-controlled variable geometry turbocharger and an advanced engine control unit eliminates turbo lag, while it also has a lower balance shaft to eliminate vibration, and a 16-valve dual overhead camshaft cylinder head.
Weight-saving features include a serpentine belt with isolation pulley, a plastic head cover, plastic intake manifold and plastic oil filter housing. It’s also fitted with a close-coupled diesel particulate filter. Hyundai’s all-new six-speed automatic transaxle has helped the company meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions while providing the highest possible shift quality. In addition, Shiftronic provides the option of more sporty, manual shifting via a sequential gate. Fuel consumption is a claimed 6.4-litres/100km while carbon emissions are rated at 170g/km, adding a R3750 (ex VAT) premium to the price come September 1st.
Suspension is courtesy of a multi-link setup at the rear and McPherson struts at the front, giving the ix35 excellent ride and handling characteristics, further enhanced by a pair of stabilizer bars that limit body roll. Our 4X4 test model also feature shock absorbers with ASD technology (Amplitude Selective Damping), which allows unhindered movement of the internal piston for a plush ride over small undulations. However, when a sudden, larger suspension movement occurs, the damper stiffens up almost instantly, ensuring control by limiting unwanted body movement.
Extensive work was done to isolate sounds and eliminate vibrations and the ix35 is remarkably quiet whether cruising, or idling along in stop/start traffic. The underside of the bonnet is fitted with a high-density insulator, while booming is reduced thanks to a sub-frame dynamic damper. The rear luggage area gets extra soundproofing to isolate exhaust sounds and road noise has been minimized by improving stiffness in the front and rear struts and rear trailing arms.
In terms of safety, particular attention has been paid to increasing the stiffness of the front side members, while the B-pillars serve as the anchors of the new ring structure which improves overall side structure stiffness while also creating more room for the door armrest and seat. The entire body shell has been made stiffer and lighter, while the use of Tailor Welded Blanks has been expanded on key structural members (TWBs reduce body weight while enhancing crash energy management).
Our test model is also fitted with side and curtain bags (a total of six in the car), as well as three-point inertia reel belts throughout. Pre-tensioners with load limiters are fitted to the front belts. Active headrests – designed to maximize neck and head support in the event of rear-end collision, hazard signals which activate in emergency braking, high level brakelight and anti-submarining seats all add up to a holistic approach to occupant safety.
The braking system is an all-disc affair, with ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution integrated to maximize stability. Finally, the 4×4 versions are fitted with an Electronic Stability Programme, which uses a mixture of selective braking and engine torque reduction to prevent the vehicle from deviating from an ideal path, based on feedback from steering and yaw rate sensors.
The ix35 2.0 CRDI 4X4 automatic is the range topper, but surprisingly only retails for R369 900, which includes a 5 year/150 000km manufacturers warranty, rust warranty and roadside assistance, as well as a 5 year/100 000km service plan. Service intervals are spaced at 15 000km. To put this in perspective, you need only look at the ix35′s competitors to see what a remarkable offer it is. In fact, there’s so much to choose from in the SUV/crossover market that it’s not easy for consumers to always keep track of options.
On the premium side of the market, especially in terms of styling, there’s Audi’s Q5 2.0TDI quattro (R420 000) and the BMW X1 xDrive20d Steptronic (R434 600) to keep in mind, with especially the X1′s funky looks drawing many people. Also under consideration is Land Rover’s Freelander 2.2D HSE Auto for R466 000.
Other options include Chevrolet’s Captiva 2.0 VCDi LTZ (R404 850), JEEP’s Cherokee Sport 2.8 CRD Auto (R392 900), Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport 3.2 DI-D GLS (R426 700), Nissan’s Qashqai 2.0 dCi Tekna (R331 500) and X-Trail 2.0 dCi SE (R378 900), Renault’s Koleos 2.0 dCi Dynamique Premium (R394 900), Toyota’s popular Fortuner 3.0 D-4D (R363 000), Volkswagen’s Tguan 2.0 TDI Sport & Style 4Motion Tiptronic (R399 000) and Volvo’s XC60 D5 Geartronic (R490 700). Kia’s new Sportage is also about to be launched (see our launch report next week)… Also, keep in mind that not all these models are 4X4′s, and not all models are available with automatic gearboxes.
With styling that’s funky, sporty and simultaneously classy, a magnificent engine, exceptional fuel consumption, extensive standard specification and the best warrant in the country, not to mention it’s ridiculous price tag of only R369 900, it’s no wonder that Hyundai can’t keep up with demand for the ix35. Objectively it makes more sense than any of the crossovers and SUVs listed above and is in my opinion the first choice for anyone in the market to buy a vehicle of this nature. The i10 and i20 hatchbacks has done much to increase brand awareness and popularity of Hyundai in South Africa, while the latest Sonata is introducing consumers to Hyundais never thought possible. Yet none of these cars will do for Hyundai what the ix35 is already doing, and I will be extremely surprised if it doesn’t make the cut for the 2011 SA Car of the Year. It’s that good.
- Text & photography: Christo Valentyn
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