Expert Review
Hyundai ix35 SUV (2013 - ) review
It may not look it at first glance, but the ix35 is one of the most revolutionary cars in Britain, using a hydrogen fuel cell instead of a conventional internal combustion engine
Words by: Andy Pringle
Published on 19 January 2016 | 0 min read
The Auto Trader expert verdict:
3.2
The ix35 proves that a hydrogen car is a realistic proposition for 21st-century motoring, even if it’s not without its limitations. If – and it’s a big ‘If…’ – you can live with its high price and the limited hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, it provides a decent zero-CO2 emission family car.
Reasons to buy:
- Zero CO2 emissions with everyday usability
- Almost silent running in town
- Range in excess of 350 miles
How good does it look?
“Hyundai has done its best to ensure that the car stands out from the crowd”
Given the pace of change in the motor industry, the ix35 is quite an old design. Indeed, the rest of the range has already been replaced by the Tucson. However, Hyundai has done its best to ensure that the Fuel Cell stands out from the crowd, not least because of the huge graphics down the side. On the other hand, even without them, it’s a striking-looking car, with plenty of styling touches: 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome door handles and body-coloured door mirrors.
Expert rating: 3/5
What's the interior like?
As outside, so inside, the ix35 shows its age a little: just one glance will show you that it’s certainly not the kind of high-quality interior you might expect of a £50,000 car. Mind you, that’s a criticism you can level at the other hydrogen-powered car on sale in the UK, the Toyota Mirai. Even so, there’s no denying that the hard, scratchy plastics on the top of the ix35’s dashboard and doors are disappointing. Still, Hyundai does a fine line in chunky, well-marked buttons, so it’s all easy to use. And, with height and lumbar adjustment on the (heated) front seats, it’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel – although the fact that the ix35 is only available in left-hand drive may be off-putting for some drivers.
Expert rating: 3/5
How practical is it?
Although the ix35 is a relatively old design, there are no great sacrifices in practicality. On the contrary, as far as the passengers are concerned, it’s all good: the two in the front have room to spare, and another couple of six-footers will fit in the back. Admittedly, the narrow centre seat means the rear bench is better for two adults than three, but there’s no large transmission tunnel in the floor. There’s plenty of stowage around the cabin, too, and the only slight price you pay for having hydrogen power comes – quite literally – in the shape of the boot. Because the fuel tank sits underneath it, the floor is a couple of inches higher than normal and therefore you have less depth to play with. And, for the same reason, when you fold the rear seats down, there’s a small step in the floor. Mind you, even with that caveat, there should be enough space for most people’s needs.
Expert rating: 4/5
What's it like to drive?
In some ways, this is the area in which the ix35 shows the relative age of its design most obviously. The ride is a little on the firm side around town – particularly prone to thumping its way over ridges in the road – and even when the speed picks up out of town, it remains unsettled. That said, it's nothing that'll put you off if you're dead-set on running a hydrogen car. In fact, the ix35 is perfectly easy to manoeuvre around town; and, although keener drivers will want a bit more feel through the steering and a bit less body roll through the bends, the ix35 is on a par with rivals such as the Mitsubishi Outlander, which also respond better to a more relaxed driving style.
Expert rating: 3/5
How powerful is it?
Perhaps one of the greatest attractions of the ix35 is that it’s effectively an electric car, so it gives you smooth and near-silent running around town. Admittedly, there’s a little hesitation when you first pull away from rest, but once the car is up and running, it’s responsive and gathers speed very nicely. That remains true out of town, and up to about 40- or 50mph. However, once you get beyond that, the rate of acceleration slows, so overtaking manoeuvres need plenty of planning. That said, the ix35 is more than capable of sitting very happily for mile after mile at the legal limit on the motorway, and as long you can maintain a steady speed, it doesn’t reduce the range too badly.
Expert rating: 3/5
How much will it cost me?
“The big issue is whether you live near enough to one of the handful of hydrogen refuelling stations”