Upgraded Hyundai ix35 offers an even better driving experience, increased value
The new ix35, an upgraded version of one of Hyundai’s best-selling models locally and in the global market, has made its debut in South Africa with a range of technological and styling enhancements, an improved new two-litre petrol engine and a new six-speed manual gearbox.
The Hyundai ix35 costs between R319 000.00 and R449 000.00 in South Africa depending on the configuration of the car
The original ix35 model, launched in 2010, has generated a high level of consumer demand and has been one of the stalwarts in Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s range.
A new petrol engines and gearboxes and new equipment now add further refinement, enhancing the driving experience in this popular sports utilility vehicle in the local Hyundai line-up.
The new ix35 model range in South Africa consists of 6 derivatives – the 2.0 NU Premium with the two-litre petrol engine linked to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; the intermediate ix35 2.0 NU Executive with the two-litre petrol engine and six-speed manual transmission; and topped by the Elite derivatives, of which one is powered by the two-litre petrol engine and the other two by the two-litre turbodiesel. The range-topping R2.0 Elite is equipped with the two-litre turbodiesel, a six-speed automatic transmission and All-Wheel Drive. All other derivatives are driven through the front wheels only.
The exterior enhancements of the new ix35 include:
- New projector headlights with LED accents;
- LED taillights;
- New body-coloured front grille;
- Roof side rails with panoramic sunroof; and
- New 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheel designs.
The cabin of the new ix35 feature interior enhancements that include:
- Two-stage latch-type reclining 60/40 split rear seats;
- Standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel;
- Standard steering-wheel mounted audio controls, and cruise control buttons for the Executive and Elite derivatives;
- Bigger cupholders with blue light illumination;
- Smart key with push-button start for the Elite derivatives;
- A new audio system (radio+CD+MP3) with Bluetooth;
- A standard Bluetooth hands-free phone system with controls on the steering wheel; and
- A TFT 4,3-inch color LCD touchscreen audio system with a rearview camera display in the Executive and Elite derivatives.
One of the most significant upgrades for the model is the replacement of the 2,0-litre Theta II petrol engine with a new, super-efficient Nu 2-litre Multi-Port Injection engine. The new engine offers a more even and efficient delivery of power and torque – with peaks of 116 kW at 6 200 r/min. and 192 Nm at 4 000 r/min. respectively.
The new petrol engine delivers higher peak torque at lower engine revolutions for enhanced everyday driving dynamics when compared with the previous multi-port fuel injected engine. Performance gains were achieved by equipping the engine with an efficient, responsive MPI fuel delivery system.
The new petrol engine is available in combination with a new six-speed manual gearbox or an improved, very responsive and smooth-changing six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. The gated gear shifter for the automatic transmission has also been upgraded to a straight-type with a boot cover for ease of use.
Two of the new derivatives in the enhanced ix35 range are equipped with the 2-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine that is also available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.0 which features All-Wheel Drive to make this the range-topping ix35.
The six derivatives in the new ix35 range offers a variety of specifications for every budget and taste of Hyundai’s customers – from the entry-level Premium to the Executive package and the three Elite derivatives.
All benefit from a number of exterior changes from new alloy wheels to restyled headlights featuring a bi-function projection type halogen headlamp and LED type positioning lamp. The Premium derivative runs on attractive new 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Executive and Elite derivatives are issued with 18-inch alloys. The whole range is fitted with a new body-coloured front grille.
Flex Steer system
Buyers of the new ix35 Executive and Elite derivatives can now benefit from Hyundai’s FLEX STEER system, available on this SUV model for the first time. Three driving modes – normal, comfort and sport – allow the driver to vary the level of steering support and feedback to best suit the environment.
Further enhancements such as the new 4,2-inch TFT Supervision Cluster displays a wide range of information to the driver in high-resolution clarity in the Executive and Elite derivatives.
Enhanced interior
The high-tech cockpit comes standard with Hyundai’s signature blue lighting, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, electrically powered windows and door locks, remote keyless entry and fold-away mirrors with electric control for the ix35 Executive and Elite. Now even the front cupholders are illuminated with blue light for nighttime drives.
Another comfort feature in the Executive and Elite derivatives is dual front automatic temperature control with CleanAir Ionizer that helps to kills germs within the system when the heater or air conditioner is running.
Other Exective and Elite features include leather seating surfaces, lumbar support for the driver seat and automatic headlights.
The ix35 has always had outstanding rear legroom and now second row passengers can recline their seats for even more comfort. Inside the cabin of the new ix35 Executive and Elite the upper door trims are now finished in higher-quality materials.
All derivatives have dashboard air vents that are ringed in chrome, and the windscreen receives a shade band, completing the visual refreshment. The spacious cabin is further enhanced in the Executive and Elite derivatives by the panoramic sunroof.
Third-generation audio technology
All ix35 derivatives have a 160-watt AM/FM/ /CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers. This system includes and iPod®/USB auxiliary inputs.
The Executive and Elite derivatives are equipped with a 4,3-inch color touchscreen audio with a standard rearview park-assist camera. It also plays compact discs, accesses digital music files employing Bluetooth streaming audio and allows driver and passenger to access their personal listening devices through the iPod/USB/auxiliary inputs. Bluetooth audio wirelessly streams music from a phone to the audio system.
Storage galore
The upgraded ix35 features 19 different storage places and drinks or cup holders:
- Console storage tray
- Glove box
- Overhead sunglass storage
- Armrest storage compartment with tray
- Two front seat drink holders
- Two rear center armrest drink holders
- Four bottle holders – one in each door
- Four map pockets – one in each door
- Two seatback pockets
- Cargo area storage compartment
Fun to drive
The ix35’s athletic shape is complemented with agile handling. The ix35 uses MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems for more precise wheel control and a smoother ride. All four wheels are controlled by coil springs and gas-filled high-performance dampers for improved ride comfort with more body/wheel control and optimized road surface contact
The front suspension has a 24,5 mm hollow stabilizer bar to save weight, while the rear suspension has a 15 mm (AWD) and 17 mm (FWD) solid stabilizer bar. Larger stabilizer bars help to keep the vehicle flat during cornering and help provide quick turn-in response.
Due to the suspension geometry and wider track width that enables greater turn angles, the ix35’s turning circle is 10,58 m – an advantage ix35 drivers will appreciate in their daily driving and parking.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) performance
To make the ix35 even more versatile, Hyundai engineers added an advanced electronic AWD system which is standard in the range-topping Elite 2.0 CRDi. The AWD system will automatically activate under any driving condition when needed, distributing the power equally and optimizing driving performance.
Under normal driving, the system only distributes power to the front wheels, thereby reducing fuel consumption. The system includes a driver-selectable AWD lock allowing for a 50/50 torque split between the front and rear wheels for off-road and very slippery conditions.
For even more driver control, the ix35 Executive and Elite derivatives feature an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP); Hyundai’s Hill-start Assist Control (HAC); and Downhill Brake Control (DBC). HAC is designed to minimize rolling backwards on steep ascents. By selecting the DBC switch, the Hydro-Electronic Control unit manages the wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensor and acceleration sensor to maintain control and speed on steep declines without having to use the brake.
Advanced standard safety technologies
An extensive list of safety features can be added to the specifications of the ix35. They include:
- Height and reach adjustable head restraints;
- Four-wheel disc brakes;
- An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist;
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD);
- A steel unibody with integrated crumple zones;
- A high-tensile front sub-frame;
- Internal guard beams on all four doors;
- Center pillars that serve as the anchors of a ring structure;
- A body shell made stiffer and lighter due to extensive use of ultra-high tensile strength steel, which comprises 68,9 % of the shell;
- Tailor Welded Blanks (TWB) on key structural members;
- Three-point safety belts at all five seating positions;
- Front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters;
- Child-seat anchors; and
- Dual advanced frontal airbags.
The Executive and Elite derivatives are also equipped with front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors that cover both the front and rear seat rows.
The upgrades to new ix35 were designed and developed at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre (HME TC) in Rüsselsheim, Germany. The upgraded model retains Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” form language, introduced on production Hyundai cars in Europe by the original ix35, which was launched at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The upgraded ix35 is imported to South Africa from South Korea and from Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC), the Hyundai Motor Company’s state-of-the-art European factory in Nošovice in the Czech Republic.
Part of the new Hyundai ix35 package is a 5 year/ 150 000 km warranty; 5 year/90 000 km Service Plan; and 5 year/150 000 km Roadside Assistance.
How much does the New Hyundai ix35 cost in South Africa?
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2.0 NU Premium 6MT2 R 319 900
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2.0 NU Premium 6AT2 R 334 900
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2.0 NU Executive 6MT2 R 349 900
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2.0 NU Elite 6AT2 R 369 900
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R2.0 Elite 6MT2 R 389 900
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R2.0 Elite 6AT4 R 449 900
