In 2010 if you don’t have a product with an “i” prefix you are probably so very last season. I suppose Hyundai’s recent renaissance has something to do with the fact that the Tucson’s replacement is called an ix35, which follows on the tyre tracks of cars like the i10, i20 and i30. The x is of course for “crossover”, which the ix35 is.
What it isn’t is an off-roader. That’s because ride height is some 10mm down on the Tucson. Even the 4x4 versions are not much of a dust buster. But what’s cool is that Hyundai already know all this. In fact that was the plan in the first place; to created an urban creature that can climb pavements with relative ease, be comfortable on the tarmac and leave a little dust on gravel. While there is all-wheel-drive (AWD) available in two models (2.4 GLS and 2.0 R diesel), it cannot be taken too seriously, no thanks to the lower suspension. That’s about it. Sorry adventurers, this is not the car for you.
On the other hand if you, like most South Africans, spend most of your driving life on the black stuff then the ix35 is worth considering. Among its chief rivals are the Toyota RAV 4, the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Nissan Qashqai. All three are highly competent vehicles with different things to offer. Where the Korean beats them hands-down is in the value stakes.
And there is no apparent “catch”. I drove the ix35 for over three hours last week and at no point during the drive did I ever feel cheapened, cheated or unsafe. Hyundai has come a long way since Mzansi first saw cars like the Accent back in the 1990s.
The design is fresh and appealing, something close to what the European premium brands are doing at the moment. Those concave and convex lines on the sides are dubbed “fluidic design” and are reminiscent of a style now known as Flame Surfacing. Fans of Bavarian products will know who came up with that. The front end is aggressive, some might even say intrusive, yet thankfully not offensive. It features a hexagonal grille large headlights and foglights. The upper rear end seems to be a medley of a number of other cars, including the BMW X1 and Audi Q5. A choice of either 16-inch or 17-inch wheels can be had, depending on the model bought.
Hyundai designers and engineers either had plenty budget to work with as far as the interior, or they are one creative bunch. For, while it’s clear this is not a premium car, it’s also obvious special materials and layout was employed. Details like the pipe-shaped speedometer cluster, start/stop button instead of a keyhole, abundant storage spaces, in-mirror reverse camera view and high-quality materials all point to a Hyundai no longer content to be seen as a cheapo but as a real player in a strong field of competitors.
When it comes to engines we all have our preferences. The 2.0-litre petrol motor is rated at 122kW at 6200rpm and develops 197Nm of torque at 4600rpm. It can either be mated to a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. Then there’s the 2.4-litre with 130kW at 6000rpm and torque of 227Nm at 4000rpm. The 2.4 seems willing enough but when push comes to shove it fails to live up to expectations. Rather get the 2.0 R turbo diesel, a stonker making 130kW at 4000rpm but much more torque of 383Nm or 392Nm between 1800rpm and 2500rpm in the manual and 6-speed automatic respectively. Quiet and responsive, the R diesel bears testament that not only can Hyundai build world-class cars, they can fit them with engines that can compete with the best from the west too. Unfortunately the R diesel uses only 50ppm super diesel and therefore cannot be driven just any and everywhere around the country. Remember that Mzansi is still so backward that most of our fuel stations still feature only the dirty, engine-killing 500ppm diesel.
As always, Hyundai offers the ix35 with a 5 year/100 000km service plan and a 5 year/150 000km warranty and roadside assistance plan.
Being the world’s fifth largest automaker, Hyundai now has real clout in the industry. Competitors look at it with envy and its customers seem highly satisfied with their purchases. The products are quite impressive, not just for Hyundai but in their respective segments too. A car like the ix35 just serves to entrench this new position of the brand.
Hyundai ix35 Pricing
2.0 GL 4X2 manual (R239 900)
2.0 GLS 4X2 manual (R264 900)
2.0 GLS 4X2 auto (R274 900)
2.4 GLS 4X4 auto (R319 900)
R2.0 GLS 4X2 manual (R299 900)
R2.0 GLS 4X4 auto (R369 900)
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