By: IOL Motoring Staff
Johannesburg - Hyundai has treated its four-year-old ix35 SUV to a comprehensive upgrade, including an improved two-litre petrol engine and a new six-speed manual gearbox.
You’ll notice a new body-coloured grille and alloy rims (17" for the Premium, 18" on the Executive and Elite) restyled headlights with bi-function projector-type halogen headlights and LED positioning lights, LED tail lights and a new shade band on the windshield.
Under the cosmetics, the long-serving two-litre Theta II petrol engine gives way to the Nu two-litre four with multi-port fuel-injection engine, rated for 116kW at 6200rpm and 192Nm at 4000.
SIX OF THE BEST
The new engine delivers more torque at lower revs than its predecessor for easier everyday driving, mated to either the new six-speed cogset or an improved six-speed Shiftronic auto with a booted straight-pull shifter rather than a gated type as before.
The model range in South Africa now includes six derivatives - the Premium with the two-litre petrol engine with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, the intermediate Executive with the two-litre petrol engine and six-speed manual 'box, and the three Elite models, one with the two-litre petrol engine and the other two with two-litre turbodiesels, topped by the R2.0 Elite with two-litre turbodiesel, six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
UPGRADED INTERIOR
New in the cabin are two-stage latch-type reclining 60/40 split rear seat backs, a tilt and reach-adjustable steering column, bigger cup holders with blue-light illumination, and a new six-speaker, 160-watt radio/CD/MP3 player with Bluetooth connectivity, USB port and an auxiliary jack for an iPod, as well as satellite audio controls on the steering wheel.
The Executive and Elite now also have flex steer, available on the ix35 for the time, with three driving modes - normal, comfort and sport - so you can vary the level of steering support and feedback to best suit the environment.
The two higher grades come with a 105mm liquid-crystal Supervision Cluster display in the instrument panel, a rear-view camera, cruise control and a smart key with push-button start for the Elite.
PRICES
2.0 Premium - R319 900
2.0 Premium a/t - R334 900
2.0 Executive - R349 900
2.0 Elite - R369 900
R2.0 Elite - R389 900
R2.0 Elite a/t - R449 900
These include a five-year or 150 000km warranty, a five-year or 90 000km service plan and five years' roadside assistance.