HYUNDAI fared better in the recession than most car makers.

Historically, considered a value-for-money brand, its excellent i10, i20 and i30 trio of city car, supermini and family hatchback brought swarms of drivers eager to take advantage of the car scrappage scheme to the showroom doors.

You might consider the i10, i20 and i30 as providing a foundation stone on which Hyundai could confidently build its market share elsewhere.

And if you want to look at how that confidence translates into an upmarket offering, then take a look at the ix35. It follows the trend for family crossovers that combine the practicality and sensible proportions of hatchbacks with the high-rise driving position of SUVs.

But, more than that, it shows how the brand is now perceived. One that offers top-notch build quality.

Initially available with a 2.0-litre petrol or 2.0-litre diesel engine with the option of on-demand four-wheel drive with the diesel unit, a super-efficient 1.7-litre diesel unit offering average fuel consumption of 48.7mpg has now joined the line-up.

You might expect a sensible, value-for-money proposition from Hyundai, but the ix35 also oozes cutting-edge styling. It’s a struggle to find an angle from which the iX35 suffers aesthetically. Granted, it’s not supercar exotica, but its exterior is awash with interesting lines and creases and more than a match for its European rivals.

Inside, there’s a similar appeal. The layout is decidedly smart and stylish, the ambience near-premium class.

An attractive set of dials greets the driver and there are obvious nods towards convenience.

It’s roomy, too. Headroom is naturally very good for a car in the crossover sector, but legroom in the rear is generous – even if three adults might find it a bit too cosy.

This cosiness is because the ix35 is no wider than the average five-door C segment hatchback, which means it will take up no more space on your drive or in the supermarket car park.

Like all good crossovers, it doesn’t feel like a big car in town, but offers an excellent driving position with a commanding view that adds to the enjoyment.

Hyundai reckons the typical ix35 buyer will live out of town, have two or more children and will enjoy a more active-than-normal lifestyle.

The 1.7-litre diesel unit provides evenly distributed torque, making it an undemanding car to drive.

Refined on the motorway and with a duly responsive and a well-behaved chassis on a B-road, it’s hard to find fault.

In terms of road-holding, the four-wheel drive chassis has obvious benefits, but the two-wheel drive version is very capable.

Both two and four-wheel-drive models come with two important safety innovations, courtesy of the standard Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). The first of these is Hillstart Assist Control, which helps prevent the car from rolling backwards in a hill-start situation.

The second is Downhill Brake Control, which limits the car’s speed on steep descents. It allows the driver to maintain full control without needing to feather the brakes or hold in a low gear.

The four-wheel-drive option is expected to prove popular with customers coming from the conventional SUV market.

The iX35’s piece-de-resistance is its equipment list. Two trim levels are available, Style and Premium, with upgrade packages bringing satellite navigation, upgraded dials and a more powerful sound system.

Yet even the entry-level model gets 17-inch alloy wheels, ESP, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, heated front and rear seats, electric heated door mirrors with integrated LED-type side repeaters, leather steering wheel and gearknob, reverse parking sensors and a trip computer.

The upper grade is even more comprehensively equipped, with 18-inch alloys, a double-length panoramic glass sunroof, automatic headlights, chrome door handles, chrome interior trim, cruise control, dual zone climate control with humidity sensor and Ioniser, electric folding door mirrors, front windscreen wiper de-icer, keyless entry with engine start/stop button, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, part-leather upholstery and roof rails, plus optional leather seats, touch-screen sat-nav and a reversing camera.

What’s more, all ix35s are backed up by Hyundai’s five-year warranty and a ten-year anti-perforation corrosion warranty.

At the iX35’s asking price, I can think of very few cars that offer so much and look so good.


Hyundai ix35 1.7 CRDi 2WD fact file

Price: Range from £19,345.

Engine: 1.7-litre diesel unit producing 85bhp.

Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels.

Performance: 0-62mph in 12.4 seconds; top speed 108mph.

Economy: 48.7mpg combined.

CO2 Rating: 139g/km.