Range overview: diesel; manual or automatic; front- or all-wheel drive; crossover-SUV
Reliability: above average for class
Cost to repair: below average for class
Most common: Hyundai ix35 1.7 CRDi
Best for economy and long-distance driving: Hyundai ix35 1.7 CRDi Blue Drive
Best for urban driving: not recommended
The Hyundai Tucson, a mid-sized crossover-SUV, has been on sale for three generations since 2004, but here in Ireland the second-generation version went under the name ix35, rather than Tucson. It proved itself to be a reasonably attractive and highly dependable family machine during its six years of service.
While other markets had petrol models, here in Ireland the ix35 was only ever offered with an all-diesel-powered line-up. A choice of front- or four-wheel drive was dependent on which of the two engines you went for, as was the optional availability of an automatic gearbox.
On driving the ix35 for the first time, CompleteCar.ie said: “To take on the Nissan Qashqai at its own game was always going to be a tough call for the Hyundai ix35. In some areas it manages this, especially in terms of design and layout - and the performance of the diesel engine. Overall, though, the Nissan feels more polished and there’s now the small matter of the MINI Countryman to contend with too.”
Engine and range options for the Hyundai ix35
In various markets around the world, a 1.6-litre normally aspirated petrol engine was offered in the ix35 (or Tucson Mk2, where appropriate) and Hyundai also showed off its technical muscle by launching a prototype hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) version of the ix35 for evaluation. However, the reality is that the ix35 was a purely turbodiesel vehicle here in Ireland, with all second-hand examples powered by four-cylinder diesel engine.
Simply put, the range was also split by which of the two diesels you went for. These had capacity of 1.7 and 2.0 litres respectively, the former generating 115hp and 260Nm, the latter developing 136hp and 320Nm. Both utilised a six-speed manual gearbox as the standard transmission, but if you wanted four-wheel drive you had to have the 2.0-litre CRDi, as the 1.7-litre models were front-wheel drive only. Furthermore, the solitary six-speed automatic option was only offered on the 2.0-litre and fitting it saw the ix35’s peak torque rise to 373Nm (max power remained at 136hp), although it was still a less accelerative car than the manual 2.0 CRDi, which feels notably quicker off then line than the 1.7.
While these engines served the ix35 from launch until run-out, the ‘Blue Drive’ was a development of the 1.7 CRDi. It didn’t change the 115hp/260Nm numbers, but the addition of the company’s proprietary Intelligent Stop-Go (ISG) start-stop system, plus the fitment of low rolling-resistance eco-tyres and what Hyundai called ‘super-efficient alternator management’ saw the fuel economy and CO2 emissions data of the smaller-capacity ix35 model marginally improved. A non-Blue Drive 1.7 CRDi returned 5.6 litres/100km (50.4mpg) with 139g/km of CO2, while adding Blue Drive trimmed those numbers to 5.4 litres/100km (52.3mpg) and 136g/km, though it must be remembered that all of these official figures were recorded under now-discredited NEDC testing, so expect worse fuel economy from the ix35 in reality than this.
Although Hyundai employed an S, SE, SE Nav, Premium and then Premium Panorama trim hierarchy at first on the ix35, it was soon rationalised into a four-trim line-up running Celebration, Comfort, Executive and then Premium. Celebration models had air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, Downhill Brake Control (DBC) and Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC). Stepping up to Comfort added luxuries like cruise control, heated seats, Bluetooth phone connectivity and automatic wipers. Executive models were plusher again, adding dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloys, part-leather seats and a rear-view camera, while the top-spec Premium wanted for little, full leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof being among the toys on these versions of the ix35.
Aside from this, the ix35 was facelifted in 2013. Little changed, bar the addition of LED lights on the exterior, which are most notable at the rear of the Hyundai - sleeker ‘ring’-type LED clusters denote the updated examples of the crossover-SUV.
How much is it to tax the Hyundai ix35?
Refer to our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for the up-to-date cost to tax the Hyundai ix35.
How reliable is the Hyundai ix35?
Very. There were no official recalls for the ix35 in Ireland during its life and Hyundai felt confident enough in its own manufacturing abilities to offer an unlimited-mileage, five-year warranty on the model throughout production, as well as five years’ worth of complimentary roadside assistance through AA Ireland and five years’ worth of complimentary vehicle health checks, too.
You’re therefore going to need to run the usual used-car common-sense checks for things like the level of wear-and-tear not matching the mileage, or evidence of a hard life on the 4WD models (which won’t have likely seen off-road action, but it’s not an impossible idea), or excessive blue/white smoke from the exhaust pipes during cold start-up or during hard acceleration. Also ensure that everything electrical on the ix35 works as it should and that the air conditioning blows ice-cold.
There were two minor issues reported on some ix35s from the middle of the production run. For models built between September 1, 2011, and November 2, 2011, a potential fuel leak could lead to a loss of power and/or an excessive smell of diesel. Obviously, this should’ve been fixed by now by a previous owner if it even occurred in the first place but watch for it just in case. Also check that the seat-belt pretensioner on models built from November 17, 2011, until June 8, 2012, has been replaced, as there was the possibility it could fail to operate in the event of an accident.
When should I service my Hyundai ix35?
The ix35’s service schedule makes mention of normal or adverse conditions and, for the former, a service is only carried out every 30,000km or two years, whichever comes first. For a used car, we don’t recommend leaving services that long, so we suggest using the official ‘adverse conditions’ schedule, where an oil and oil filter service is required every 15,000km, or every year.
Otherwise, at that 30,000km/two years mark, along with the oil and oil filter, the cabin filter and fuel filter should be replaced. On top of that, both the brake fluid and clutch fluid should be changed. The air filter must be replaced at 60,000km or two years, while the engine coolant should be flushed out and renewed at 90,000km/five years and then every 30,000km/two years.
Does the Hyundai ix35 have a timing belt?
Nope. All of the engines used in the ix35 used timing chains instead of belts, and they’re designed to last the life of the engine.
Can I fit child seats and a buggy in the Hyundai ix35?
With a 465-litre boot with all five seats in place and up to 1,436 litres with the standard-fit 60:40 split-folding rear seats stowed away, the ix35 is a practical and capacious machine so stowing buggies shouldn’t be a problem. Fitting three child seats across the second row will be tough, but not impossible, depending on the size/shape of said child seats, but with two ISOFIX mounting points in the back of the Hyundai and plenty of legroom to play with, it should prove to be a useful family conveyance.
How safe is the Hyundai ix35?
Despite registering a modest 54 per cent for pedestrian safety, when it was crash-tested in 2010 the Hyundai ix35 picked up the full five-star EuroNCAP rating. That was largely achieved through scores of 90 per cent for adult occupant safety, 88 per cent for child occupant safety and 71 per cent for safety assist systems. Standard safety equipment included six airbags and electronic stability control, while the structure was cleverly designed so the B-pillars formed a rollover hoop in the event of the vehicle flipping and the head restraints were active items to minimise whiplash injuries.
Click here for the full EuroNCAP report on the Hyundai ix35
Alternatives to the Hyundai ix35
Audi Q3
BMW X1
Dacia Duster
Ford Kuga
Honda CR-V
Jeep Compass
Kia Sportage
Mazda CX-5
Mercedes-Benz GLA
MINI Countryman
Mitsubishi ASX
Nissan Qashqai
Opel Antara
Peugeot 3008
Range Rover Evoque
Renault Kadjar
Skoda Yeti
SsangYong Korando
Subaru Forester
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan
How much is a Hyundai ix35 worth?
For estimates of the current value of a given car, drop us a message using the Ask Us Anything page with as much detail as possible in it.