… Hyundai ix35 …
It can no longer be regarded as a ‘budget brand’, but you still get a lot of car for the money when you buy a Hyundai ix35. For a start, it’s four wheel drive and whilst the badge might not have the same street cred as some other compact 4x4s, buyers can park smugly outside the school gates knowing they’ve got more kit for their money.
It’s not the fastest thing on four wheels, and although the 2 litre CRDi diesel produces 134 bhp, it takes well over 10 seconds to get up to 60 mph from a standing start. But that’s not why folk will buy it. They will buy it for the 320 Nm of torque, the all wheel drive system, the commanding view ahead from the driver’s seat and comfort for five.
They will also buy it for the kit that comes as standard in a sub 25 grand motor. Inside the car it’s got heated front AND rear seats, privacy glass and solar control glazing, a 7 inch touch screen with full SatNav system, reversing camera and a premium 7 speaker sound system – with a sub-woofer!
Drivers will appreciate the heated and electrically folding door mirrors, rain sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, cruise control and alternator management system to eke out that fuel consumption just that little bit more.
Hyundai hasn’t skimped on the ‘driver aids’ either. In addition to the expected ABS, EBD and BAS, it has Downhill Brake Control, an Electronic Stability Programme and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
It also looks good sitting on its 17 inch alloy wheels with body coloured door handles, mirrors and bumpers with chrome trim highlights and its LED day time driving lights.
There was a wee bit of thump and bump from the 225/60 aspect tyres, but the soft suspension soaked most of that up, providing a pretty well cushioned ride. It was firm enough to avoid rolling on corners although some critics might find it not quite up to European expectations. That’s being picky considering the majority of the people buying the ix35 just want a comfy all wheel drive, all rounder at reasonable cost.
There was no serious off-roading during the drive in Ayrshire, but it was wet. Very wet. That depressing, grey, drizzly wet stuff that doesn’t feel like rain, but clings to clothing and just soaks through to the skin and into the bones. Scotland’s good at that, eh? Anyway, there were a few muddy forest roads and some wet grassy slopes to try out the grip.
As we all know, one of the slippiest surfaces in nature is in fact wet grass. There was one rather steep grassy slope outside the hotel which was so steep that it was unsafe to park a car facing downwards or backwards at the top of the hill. With the handbrake on, a car would just have slid, locked wheels and all, back down the slope. Anyway, with a wee bit of gas, the Hyundai romped up the slope, turned round and trickled, with the occasional slither, back down again. I was impressed by that.
Outwardly not everyone will like the styling, but that’s a personal thing. It’s still a bit plasticky inside on the dash and door trims, but the leather seat trim adds a little dash of luxury.
That aside, there is one other clincher for anyone considering the purchase. The ix35, like all Hyundais comes with a 5 year Warranty.
If I was spending my own money, I’d have one, and be happy with my choice.