Open Road drives the new Hyundai ix35 alongside three established rivals from the intensively competitive company SUV sector. By Andrew Kerr
They’ve become more common than Commodores and Falcons. Compact SUVs (five-door, five-seat family wagons with modest off-road potential) are increasingly favoured among new car buyers – mainly those who appreciate an elevated ride height and enough room to load a mountain bike or two. In fact, the appeal of extra space means mid-size SUVs now compete with compacts for the fastest-growing market sector.
Hyundai’s ix35 is a replacement for the smaller (and dated) Tucson. We tested the mid-spec Elite auto version, lining it up against comparable petrol-engined models from the Forester, Outlander and Grand Vitara ranges.
The Subaru Forester is the benchmark, with an Australia’s Best Cars title under its belt. Mitsubishi’s Outlander is another established player, one that benefited from a freshen-up last year. And the Suzuki is the left-fielder of the group, a full-time 4WD offering (like the Forester) that also has useful off-road ability. Not that it was required on this comparison test; we stuck to 300km of varied blacktop, where these soft-roaders most often serve their busy owners.
Each model tested comes with stability and traction control, six airbags and ABS.
The ix35 is a marked improvement on the Tucson, offering excellent value and generous space. The adventurous styling, with creased flanks and high shoulders, is distinctive, and equipment levels are high: roof rails, fog lamps, auto headlights, push-button start, proximity opening for tailgate and doors, hill-start assist and downhill brake control to keep speed steady on the slopes. The driver’s seat has six-way power adjustment and the stereo offers full iPod integration. You even get a bit of superficial bling about the cabin. Plus, a full-size 17-inch spare alloy sits beneath 730L of luggage space, or 1579L with the rear seats folded.
The new 2.4-litre has a similar output to the other engines tested but delivers good throttle response from a standstill. We found pick-up on the open road less impressive. A smooth-shifting six-speed auto is standard on this model and proved a fine partner for the engine.
The part-time 4WD system is 100 per cent front-drive in normal conditions and can send up to 50 per cent of the power to the rear wheels if slip is detected. Ride quality is firm but still comfortable, and the hydraulic steering is accurate but too light for some tastes.
You sit quite high in the ix35’s well-appointed cabin. We felt a bit cheated by the front seats, which are flat, narrow in the back rest and don’t offer great support. Tall drivers will consider the absence of reach adjustment for the steering a nuisance and whether you’re short or tall the thick pillars hamper visibility. Head and leg room are very good front and rear, but the rear door apertures are too narrow for comfort.
| Engine | 2.4-litre four-cyl petrol |
| Power | 130kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 227Nm @ 4000rpm |
| Transmission | Six-speed automatic |
| Kerb weight | 1270kg |
| Fuel consumption | 9.2L/100km |
| Consumption on test | 10.4L/100km |
| Co2 emissions | 219g/km |
| GVG rating | 4 stars |
| Crash test results | Yet to be tested |
| Price | $31,990 |
Subaru tried its best to put us off the Forester by supplying a basic entry-level X model with a manual ’box, steel wheels and plain white paintwork. But it didn’t work; the base-spec Forester showed why the current third-generation car, which dates from early 2008, rules the roost.
What you see is what you get with the versatile Forester. For once, we had reach and height adjustable steering, allowing tall drivers to find an ideal set-up. Seat design and comfort are excellent, and passenger space is generous – almost luxurious – in the rear. A low window line means all-round visibility is outstanding and the load space is especially good as the 60/40 split rear seats fold completely flat. There are numerous good-sized storage pockets about the cabin including a big twin-lidded centre console bin. Like the underpinnings, the functional dashboard is borrowed from the Impreza model and looks fine in matt grey – although, to be fair, some of the hard-to-the-touch plastics are rather low-rent.
Steering is direct and well-weighted and cornering stability excellent with the security of permanent all-wheel drive. Performance is perfectly adequate but the free-revving boxer engine lacks torque below 3000rpm. And while we found refinement levels – especially ride quality – to be generally excellent, engine noise was intrusive at times. We suspect that had a four-speed auto been fitted to the test car, the Forester might have matched the Suzuki’s sizeable thirst.
At $36,490 the standard XS auto has alloy wheels, climate air-con, a leather steering wheel and six-disc CD stereo.
| Engine | 2.4-litre four-cyl petrol |
| Power | 122kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 225Nm @ 4000rpm |
| Transmission | Four-speed automatic |
| Kerb weight | 1620kg |
| Fuel consumption | 9.6L/100km |
| Consumption on test | 9.5L/100km* |
| Co2 emissions | 227g/km |
| GVG rating | 3.5 stars |
| Crash test results | 5 stars (ANCAP) |
| Price | $36,490 (X model tested $30,990) |
The Vitara was behind the eight ball in some respects, but still impressed with its build quality, comfort and simple design. Sound performance, decent agility and good steering countered a mediocre ride and body control, and a transmission that felt a bit off the pace. From the driver’s seat all-round visibility is great, as is access to a roomy back seat that split-folds.
The tailgate differs markedly from the others. It’s a single piece, side-hinged design that requires good clearance to open fully and the spare wheel is mounted on the outside of the tailgate. While its 2640mm wheelbase is identical to the Hyundai’s, the load compartment is the smallest here with a short floor.
Had we ventured into the rough stuff, the Grand Vitara’s locking centre diff and good approach and departure angles would have been very useful.
| Engine | 2.4-litre four-cyl petrol |
| Power | 122kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 225Nm @ 4000rpm |
| Transmission | Four-speed automatic |
| Kerb weight | 1620kg |
| Fuel consumption | 9.9L/100km |
| Consumption on test | 10.9L/100km |
| Co2 emissions | 234g/km |
| GVG rating | 3.5 stars |
| Crash test results | 4 stars (ANCAP) |
| Price | $33,990 ($37,490 Prestige) |
Scrapping for second place, the Outlander came up short. It can be harsh over rough tarmac and road noise from 18-inch wheels proved plain annoying.
It’s equipped with all the essentials, including very supportive front seats, although no telescopic steering wheel adjustment and a space-saver spare disappointed. The rear seats are rake-adjustable but not very supportive, while head room is very tight and the rear door openings are narrow. The clever split tailgate can be used as a picnic table or seat and makes loading and unloading simple. Luggage space is 589L or 882L with the rear seats flipped and folded forward. We found them heavy and awkward to manoeuvre.
The engine lacks low-down torque and driving dynamics are unremarkable. A rotary dial allows four-wheel drive to be engaged at speeds of up to 100km/h.
Mitsubishi offers a five-year warranty and a 10-year powertrain warranty. In some respects the Outlander is a good match for the ix35, but it was ultimately outpointed in terms of value, packaging and on-road comfort.
| Engine | 2.4-litre four-cyl petrol |
| Power | 125kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 226Nm @ 4100rpm |
| Transmission | CVT automatic |
| Kerb weight | 1593kg |
| Fuel consumption | 9.3L/100km |
| Consumption on test | 10.2L/100km |
| Co2 emissions | 222g/km |
| GVG rating | 3.5 stars |
| Crash test results | 4 stars (ANCAP) |
| Price | $40,490 (5-seat) |
There are nearly two dozen models in this cut-throat class, so any new entrant must endure a baptism of fire. Despite failing to triumph in this test, it’s hard to see the ix35 not adding to Hyundai’s growing sales success in Australia. It’s a well-priced, mostly convincing package.
But top marks go to the Subaru Forester. Its solid build quality, extra space and greater utility help explain its ongoing popularity. The sales trends are also in its favour, with buyers leaning towards more practical SUVs over strictly compact models with packaging compromises. The Forester remains a conservative but smart choice.
Open Road July/August 2010
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