Hyundai ix35 Crossover full 9 point review

  • Performance

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad The 1.6-litre petrol is punchy for a comparatively small engine, so acceleration is perfectly acceptable. By contrast, the 1.7-litre diesel is a bit flat at low revs, although it’s better than the petrol when overtaking on the motorway. Performance is strong from the two 2.0-litre diesel models: in fact, there’s so much shove that it’s easy to set the front wheels spinning if you pull away swiftly in the front-wheel-drive version.

  • Ride & Handling

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad Despite being designed for comfort above thrills, the ix35 isn’t as supple as it could be: there’s some jiggle over city streets and a bit too much bounce on bumpy roads. The light steering makes low-speed manoeuvres easy, but it is too vague to inspire much confidence on twisty roads. Body control could be tighter, too.

  • Refinement

    2 out of 5 stars

    Review-OnRoad This is the ix35’s weakest area. The diesel engines are noisier than many rivals’ and are boomy when revved hard. Even when you’re cruising in sixth gear, there’s a steady drone. The petrol engine is quieter, if not exactly hushed at medium revs. Road- and wind noise are also present at speed, so you may find yourself turning up the stereo uncomfortably loud to compensate.

  • Buying & Owning

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership The ix35 is cheap compared with most rivals and it will hold its value pretty well in the long term. Opt for a front-wheel-drive petrol or diesel model and running costs will be reasonable, too. The higher emissions and fuel consumption of four-wheel-drive models mean you'll have more to pay.

  • Quality & Reliability

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership The ix35's dashboard is stylish, but it's a shame that the plastics aren't more appealing: unlike in many rivals, there's not a soft-touch plastic in sight. Everything feels solidly put together, however, and there's the reassurance of Hyundai's five-year/unlimited-mileage warranty.

  • Safety & Security

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Ownership All versions of the ix35 come with six airbags, stability control and whiplash-reducing front head restraints - and very effective they are, too. The car achieved a maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests, which provides plenty of peace of mind.

  • Behind The Wheel

    3 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin The raised driving position gives the ix35 the feel of a 4x4 and good forward visibility; the rather small rear windows mean that over-the-shoulder visibility could be better. There's a decent range of adjustment for the seat and steering wheel, and the dashboard is easy to find your way around. The optional sat-nav can be hard to read in strong sunlight, however.

  • Space & Practicality

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin The ix35 makes a good family car, with lots of head- and legroom throughout. The cabin is wide, too, and the almost-flat floor and large door openings make it child-friendly. There are no clever gimmicks to boost versatility; just a large, well-shaped boot and 60/40 split rear seats that fold down so you can carry bigger loads.

  • Equipment

    4 out of 5 stars

    Review-Cabin All versions have plenty of kit. Entry-level Style trim includes air-con, alloy wheels, Bluetooth, heated front and rear seats, four electric windows, USB connection and rear parking sensors. Upgrade to Premium trim and the extras include climate and cruise controls, leather trim, keyless entry, automatic lights and wipers, and a panoramic sunroof.

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