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Hyundai puts the X-factor into its 4×4

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11 February 2010

Hyundai ix35 134PS 2.0D Premium 5dr

Hyundai ix35 134PS 2.0D Premium 5dr

Hyundai ix35 134PS 2.0D Premium 5dr

What is it?

A REPLACEMENT for the Hyundai Tucson and rival to the Nissan Qashqai in the compact SUV or 4×4 market.

Like the Qashqai the Hyundai ix35 small off-roader is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

There’s a choice of a 136PS 2.0-litre diesel or a 163PS 2.0-litre petrol. But most company car buyers will gravitate towards the 2.0-litre diesel 4×4 version tested here, coming in at an expected £20,725.

What’s hot?

  • Stylish looks of the Hyundai ix35 give it a mini-Infiniti classy appeal
  • Good in the corners and comfortable too
  • Even in 4×4 form CO2 is below critical 161g/km Corporation Tax break
  • Price is several thousand below the equivalent Ford Kuga or Qashqai
  • …Which means low company car tax payments for this type of vehicle
  • Like all latest generation Hyundai cars, interior quality is from a class above
  • Interior space is better than rivals, particularly in the boot
  • Well equipped: standard Bluetooth, parking sensors, anti-skid ESP, a/c…
  • Five year warranty
  • Five year breakdown cover
  • 20,000 mile service interval

What’s not?

  • Engine refinement fine on a motorway cruise…
  • …but gets noisy under acceleration
  • Visibility approaching roundabouts is hampered by a thick A-pillar…
  • …at the price of an expected 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating
  • Looks don’t set it out from the crowd
  • Doors auto-lock when you pull away…
  • …but the rear doors don’t then auto-unlock when you stop

Business Car Manager Road Test Verdict

The new Hyundai ix35 is highly capable, good to drive and a serious alternative to the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai. It also costs less, is better on company car tax and there’s the substantial feel-good factor of the Hyundai warranty. Start the queue here, then.

Hyundai ix35 specification

  • Price £20,725 (est)
  • Engine 2.0 4cyl 16v turbo diesel
  • Co2 emissions 154g/km
  • Power/torque 134hp/236lb ft
  • Fuel economy 48.7mpg

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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