Johannesburg – Our favourite test-cars a couple of years back was a BMW 520d. It wasn’t particularly powerful or exotic nevertheless the car just gelled together as a perfect package with decent performance, great fuel consumption as well as a sane pricetag. It was a “sleeper” car that lurked under the radar delivering the goods while more powerful 5-series Beemers just like the 530d stole the limelight.
I feel the same way regarding the new ix35 1.7-litre CRDi, which Hyundai just introduced being a cheaper turbodiesel alternative to the existing 2.-litre CRDi. Despite being down on power, it gels together well as a solid all-round package that’s tough to criticise.
It’s economical, powerful enough for many situations if towing isn’t necessarily the initial concern, and it is loaded with a significant level of comfort and spec. At R359 900 the front wheel drive 1.7 supplies a hefty saving over the 2. front-wheel-drive ix35 which sells for R422 900. It comes with the same five-year/150 000km warranty including roadside assistance, and five-year/90 000km service plan, as the other six derivatives in the ix35 lineup.
COMMANDING, CUSHY RIDE
The ix35 1.7 CRDi Premium isn’t provided with all-wheel drive and has no pretensions to be an offroader, but its elevated ride height and high-profile tyres do make it sail more smoothly over dirt roads or pothole-infested tar compared to average car. It offers a particularly cushy and comfortable ride, along with the higher “command” driving position that so many drivers seem to like.
It doesn’t feel underpowered on the road, although compared to the 383Nm and 130kW outputs of the larger 2-litre CRDI, the new 1.7 CRDI might seem just a little flaccid featuring its 85kW and 260Nm. There’s still a gutsy volume of torque which gives this medium-sized SUV the ability to cruise comfortably in the fast lane, while delivering semi-respectable factory-quoted performance figures of the 173 km/h top speed and -100 km/h in 12.4 seconds.
IOL mot mar13 Hyundai ix35 b All considered, this is a great package.
It’s an easy, low-revving power delivery with the 260Nm peak torque on call between 1 250 and 2 750 rpm, and there’s no significant turbo lag. It’s a smooth-shifting six-speed manual using a light clutch action that doesn’t cause undue driving fatigue in heavy traffic, though no auto version is available.
The economy’s good too and our test vehicle averaged a budget-friendly 7.4 litres per 100km (Hyundai claims 6.5 litres).
Smoothness is the overriding theme here, and this ix35 seems to cocoon you in silk featuring its pillowy ride quality and soft-spoken refinement. While it’ll never be a fantastic vehicle it’s just so darned comfortable and pleasant to get. You feel like you’re slipping into your comfiest slippers and settling in to a Lazyboy chair.
It does all of this without feeling particularly wallowy in the corners, and the traction’s good.
You miss out on a couple of gizmos when compared to the 2-litre CRDi, such as rear-passenger air vents, electronic stability control, plus a light from the glovebox. But the 1.7 Premium remains to be quite highly specced with aircon, audio, electrically-powered glass, automatic headlights, reversing camera, and a tilt- and telescopically-adjustable steering column. side and Front ABS and airbags brakes deliver the requisite safety.
The infotainment is accessed by a small LCD touchscreen, and all the necessary connectivity is there including aux and USB ports and Bluetooth.
IOL mot mar13 Hyundai ix35 c The 1.7 diesel is only offered in six-speed manual form.
The larger family-sized cabin is packed with sufficient storage spaces and cupholders, and it’s an attractive interior with blue cloth and lightingleather and cloth seats that assist raise the upmarket ambience.
The boot’s large and carries a full-size spare, and the rear seats flip down to make a giant-sized hold.
