there was no hesitation. We expect this derivative to appeal to an SUV buyer who is looking for the benefits of a frugal turbo-diesel engine, but at a more affordable price and with a specification level that still offers the luxury driving experience that made the ix35 a top-seller for us,” says Stanley Anderson, marketing director of Hyundai Automotive SA.

 

An improved six-speed gearbox with slightly different ratios from those of its two-litre turbo-diesel partner delivers the power to the front wheels. Its top speed has been clocked at 173 km/h, and acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h takes 12.4 seconds.

 

The same attractive body that reflects the Fluidic Sculpture design theme which is to be found throughout the rest of the ix35 range as well as other Hyundai model ranges is being used for this model. The front and rear bumper and exterior mirror housings match the body colour of the ix35 to create a pleasing and attractive exterior with the flowing lines of the Fluidic Sculpture theme. The front bumper houses fog lights that are part of the standard 1.7 Premium Package.

 

The exterior picture is rounded off with 17-inch alloy wheels with a gun-metal finish.

 

The ix35 boasts a roomy and ergonomically well-planned cabin with a commanding view of the road and one’s surroundings. The high-tech cockpit comes standard with Hyundai’s signature blue lighting, tilt and telescopic steering wheel to find the most comfortable driving position, with steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, with electrically powered windows and door locks, and with remote keyless entry. The doors lock automatically at 15 km/h for added security. The dashboard air vents are finished with a silver-ringed trim, and the windscreen has a shade band, which is a welcome comfort in our harsh sunlight.

 

The ix35 1.7 Premium is equipped with a 160-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers. This system includes iPod®/USB auxiliary inputs housed in the centre console underneath the air-conditioner controls.

 

 

The audio system information is displayed on a 4.3-inch colour touch screen, which is also the display screen for the standard rear-view, park-assist camera. The sound system plays compact discs as well as digital music files employing Bluetooth streaming audio. It also allows driver and passenger to access their personal music devices through the iPod/USB/auxiliary inputs.

 

The ix35 1.7 Premium features 19 different storage places and drinks or cup holders, including:

• A console storage tray.

• A glove box with a port to keep soft drinks cool with the help of the air conditioner.

• Overhead sunglasses storage.

• An armrest storage compartment with tray.

• Two front-seat drinks holders.

• Two rear centre-armrest drinks holders.

• Four bottle holders – one in each door.

• Four map pockets – one in each door.

• Two seatback pockets.

• A cargo area storage compartment.

 

The ix35 drives through all four wheels and is fun to drive, as its road performance on tar and gravel is excellent and comfortable.

 

Airbags and advanced seatbelt mechanisms form part of a state-of-the-art passive safety system unique to the SUV market – and a tribute to the latest technology and Hyundai’s unwavering commitment to safety. The ix35 achieved a five-star rating in the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) in a 2010 crash test.

 

What really impressed me was the array of safety features found among the specifications of the ix35.

They include:

• Dual advanced front and side airbags.

• Curtain airbags.

• Height-adjustable head restraints.

• Disc brakes on all four wheels.

• An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist.

• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).

• A steel unibody with integrated crumple zones.

• A high-tensile front subframe.

• Internal guard beams on all four doors.

• Centre pillars that serve as the anchors of a ring structure.

• A body shell made stiff and light as a result of extensive use of ultra-high-tensile strength steel, which comprises 68.9% of the shell.

• Tailor Welded Blanks (TWB) on key structural members.

• Three-point safety belts at all five seating positions.

• Front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters.

• Child-seat anchors.

 

 

Pricing

Part of the new Hyundai ix35 package is a five-year/150 000 km warranty; a five-year/90 000 km Service Plan; and five-year/150 000 km Roadside Assistance.