The crossover market is a crowded affair. Manufacturers have realised that families want the reassurance and safety of a bulky 4x4 with the practicality and manoeuvrability of something a bit smaller and more wieldy.
There is tremendously capable competition about for any car brave enough to enter - from Ford's Kuga to Toyota's RAV4.
This is where the ix35 comes in - Hyundai's attempt at a fashionable yet practical crossover. It is the latest in a long line of valiant attempts to try and reposition Hyundai as something a little more desirable - the sort of car where the lower price is an unexpected boon rather than the principle appeal.
The Hyundai could make a case for itself on price alone - the £16k entry-level model still gets standard-fit 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, heated seats front and back, rear parking sensors and iPod connectivity. For just under £2,000 on top of that the Premium trim brings cruise control, a sunroof, keyless entry and auto lights and wipers.
You could almost sell the car on that information alone, but luckily it is dynamically very capable and not too shabby inside. The ix35 feels very well put together and shows that Hyundai is putting an increasing effort into making the experience of being in one of its cars that much more enjoyable.
Your first decision when buying an ix35 is whether or not to go for the four-wheel drive, but we'd certainly recommend it over the front-wheel drive option. Cars like this are never going to be particularly sporting and dynamic, but the four-wheel drive system adds peace of mind and a bit more confidence through corners. There isn't much of a difference between the two in terms of economy, either.
The two main engines available are both 2.0-litres, petrol or diesel. The petrol is definitely worth ignoring, because it disappoints both in terms of performance, being slower than the diesel, and also in economy - you have to work it so hard that it starts to drink fuel, returning around 37mpg. The diesel is by far the best choice, feeling decently rapid and returning up to 50mpg.
The ix35 makes a strong case for itself in a segment where there are no clear rivals - it is very subjective round here because there is so much on offer. The astounding standard equipment list brings it into consideration, but the ownership experience could seal the deal.