Hyundai ix35 (10 on) - Review

There's generous passenger space, especially in the back where there's room for three - although the central seat is a little narrow and quite firm. But the floor space isn't hindered by a large tunnel while the high roof and comfortable seats make it great for longer journeys. It's also quiet on the move, aside from a hint of road noise and there's no vibration in the cabin from the diesel engine. Unusually, heated seats are standard in both the front and back - a feature which few cars apart from the Rolls-Royce Phantom can boast. Air conditioning is standard and Premium models get climate control with a humidity sensor and air ioniser.

It may look like a considerable off-roader, but the ix35 is more compact than it appears - in fact it's shorter than a Vauxhall Astra. It has a tight turning circle, so tricky manoeuvres are straightforward, while rear parking sensors are standard on all cars - ideal for tight spaces such as multi-storey car parks. But this compact size doesn't mean the ix35 is small inside - far from it. The boot is an impressive 591 litres with the seats up - considerably more than a Toyota RAV4 or a Ford Kuga. The rear seats fold down easily (although not totally flat or level) to boost space to 1,436 litres. There's plenty of storage on board including large door pockets, a cooled glovebox and a generous central cubby between the front seats that doubles as an armrest. Bluetooth connectivity is also included.

The ix35 is a huge leap forward from previous Hyundai models in many areas - not least the interior. It uses good quality materials with a high grade finish while the layout is stylish yet still user-friendly. The steering wheel with its metal inserts catches the attention first and is great to hold while the neat blue instrument dials feature digital displays in the centre which appear to float. All the switches and buttons have a quality feel to them and the plastics on the doors and dash top are soft to the touch. The only slight criticism is the steering column stalks which are somewhat dated - a fact made more evident by the modern feel of the rest of the cabin. The driving position is excellent though - high enough to give a good view out, but low enough to make it feel like you're driving a normal hatchback. It's aided by plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering column.