Review: Hyundai LM.I ix35 (2010-13)

Overview

Released in February 2010, the Hyundai LM Series I (LM.I) ix35 was a mid-size SUV. Initially manufactured in Ulsan, South Korea, the ix35 range consisted of three variants – 2.0, 2.4 and 2.0 CRDi – with the variant names referring to their engines.

The ix35 was initially available in entry-level Active, mid-range Elite and range-topping Highlander editions. In January 2013, however, an SE edition was released which was manufactured at Hyundai’s Zilina plant in Slovakia. From March 2013, the Slovakian-built SE editions were available with turbo-diesel engines.

G4KG petrol and D4HA diesel engines

Of the engines,

the 2.0-litre G4KD and 2.4-litre G4KG ‘Theta II’ petrol engines had aluminium cylinder blocks and heads, double overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing (D-CVVT), variable intake systems and compression ratios of 10.5:1; and,
the 2.0-litre D4HA ‘R’ diesel engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, common-rail direct injection with piezo-electric injectors (operating at 1800 bar), a variable geometry turbocharger, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, exhaust gas recirculation, a diesel particular filter and a compression ratio of 16.0:1.

Dimensions and body

Compared to its XD Tucson predecessor, the LM ix35 was 85 mm longer (at 4410 mm), 25 mm wider (1820 mm), 75 mm lower (1655 mm) and had a 10 mm longer wheelbase (2640 mm). Significantly, the new chassis achieved a 38 per cent increase in bending rigidity.

Suspension

The ix35 had MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, with coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bars front and rear.

Hyundai LM.I ix35 specifications
Variant	Engine	Edition	Years	Trans.	Drive	Peak power	Peak torque
2.0	2.0-litre petrol I4	Active	2010-13	5sp man., 6sp auto	FWD	122 kW at 6200 rpm	197 Nm at 4600 rpm
		Elite	2012-13	6sp auto
		SE	2013	6sp auto
2.4	2.4-litre petrol I4	Elite, Highlander	2010-13	6sp auto	AWD	130 kW at 6000 rpm	227 Nm at 4000 rpm
2.0 CRDi	2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4	Elite, Highlander	2010-13	6sp auto	AWD	135 kW at 4000 rpm	392 Nm at 1800-2500 rpm
2.0 CRDi	2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4	SE	2013	6sp auto	AWD	135 kW at 4000 rpm	392 Nm at 1800-2500 rpm

AWD system

The ix35 2.4 and 2.0 CRDi variants were fitted with a part-time all-wheel drive system which utilised a viscous coupling (i.e. no centre differential). As such, the ix35 was front-wheel drive in normal conditions. If traction was lost, however, the difference in front and rear wheel driveshaft speeds would increase the viscosity of the silicone fluid, causing the coupling to lock the driveshafts and transfer torque to the rear wheels. The all-wheel drive system also included ‘lock’ mode which provided a fixed 50:50 front:rear torque split for low-speed driving.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Hyundai ix35 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints, anti-submarining front seats and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The ix35 was also fitted with down-hill brake control and hill start assist.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the ix35 received a five star safety rating which included a 90 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 88 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious leg injury for both front occupants and a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test, though chest protection was rated as marginal in the more severe pole test. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.15 out of 37.

Features: ix35 Active, Elite and Highlander

Standard features for the ix35 Active included a six speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatiblity and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB), air conditioning, a power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, rear fog lamps, steering wheel audio controls, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear 12 volt power outlets, a cargo blind, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Beyond this, the ix35 Elite added 17-inch alloy wheels, combination cloth/leather seats, front fog lamps, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, proximity key, push-button start, roof rails and cargo net.

The ix35 Highlander was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, a sound system with a separate amplifier and subwoofer, a six-disc CD changer, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats, heated front seats, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, rear parking sensors, a rear camera, folding power mirrors, a panoramic glass sunroof and an electrochromatic rear view mirror.

October 2010: ix35 update

In October 2010, the ix35 underwent a minor update (for the 2011 model year), with the hydraulic steering system replaced by a locally tuned electric power unit. The electric system enabled the steering wheel to be adjusted for reach, while providing increased weight and reduced kickback. Standard features were also enhanced to include rear parking sensors and Bluetooth connectivity, though the power adjustable driver’s seat for the Active editions was removed. The range-topping Highlander also featured darker-tint privacy glass and was fitted with Hyundai’s Amplitude Selective Damping (ASD) system.

August 2012: ix35 update

In August 2012, the ix35 was updated (for the 2013 model year) and a 2.0 Elite model was released. As part of the update, Active editions received a new audio system with a five-inch touch screen, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity and Bluetooth audio streaming. Beyond this, Elite editions gained dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a reversing camera and an electrochromatic rear view mirror, while both the Elite and Highlander editions were fitted with a satellite navigation system which included a 6.5-inch touch screen, SUNA live traffic updates and Navteq maps.

Features: 2013 Hyundai ix35 SE

Compared to the entry-level Active editions, the ix35 SE was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, full leather/leatherette seat trim, heated front and rear seats, a cooled glove box, front fog lights, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, power folding mirrors and rear privacy glass. Visually, the SE editions could be identified by their unique front bumpers with in-set fog lights.

Brochure

Review: Hyundai LM.II ix35 (2013-15)