When a friend recently announced she had bought a Hyundai ix35, she had to endure questions such as: “What do you need a four-wheel-drive in the city for?”
Her meek response was the usual “I like sitting up high”.
What she should have said – apart from ‘‘mind your own bloody business’’ – was that like most small SUVs, the ix35 has big-car practicality with small-car economy, albeit with the ability to go some places the average car can’t.
The diesel-powered ix35 Series II has another feather in its bow: excellent performance.
The last thing I expected to like most about this car was its driveability. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel has great get up and go. There’s barely any lag through the six-speed automatic transmission’s gear changes and it has plenty of power up its sleeve from start.
Its fuel efficiency, particularly on the highway, is about as good as its little i30 hatchback brother. Climbing the West Gate Bridge at 80km/h, I was amazed to see the trip computer registering just 4.5l/100km.
This is no truck. It has a light ride and steering that’s good around town. The suspension has been improved to absorb Australian conditions, making its all-wheel-drive train ride well on dirt roads.
The little off-road driving I did was fun. If you meet rougher surfaces, it has a selectable differential lock, plus hillstart assist and downhill brake control. Its main limitation here is its ground clearance.
Inside, the top-of-the-range Highlander I drove had a ‘Panorama’ glass roof leather appointed interior and the well laid out gadgetry found in other top spec Hyundais, such as the user-friendly seven-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, reverse camera display and Bluetooth connectivity.
The front and rear seats are comfortable. The back has enough room for three adults.
As expected, there’s a decent amount of storage space in the rear cargo area despite the full-size spare wheel under the floor.
Hyundai’s improvements to the ix35 Series II have made it a leading competitor in Australia’s cut-throat compact SUV market. I can see why.
It is available at Werribee Hyundai, Cherry Street, Werribee. werribeehyundai.com.au
