The presentation of the ix35 model took place not in Germany or France, where one could effectively tout its advantages. The Koreans, with a sly smile, brought us to Rome, to the very heart of Italy. And there, in a decent four-star hotel, the fun began: windows won't close, the toilet after the first flush runs non-stop all day, the TV shows only static, and the air conditioner hums as if a turbine is taking off under the windows. Sleeping in such conditions is not for the faint of heart.
VIVA ITALIA!
In the morning, getting into the Hyundai ix35, I felt relief. Finally, something that works! On the first day, that was the only thing that impressed me—my nervous system simply refused to perceive anything else. Then we were taken to the Pantheon. A pagan temple that now serves as a Catholic cathedral, but inside hangs an Orthodox icon. I won't go into a long explanation of why that happened. The main thing is that it's a great metaphor for the new Hyundai car.
ECO-SPORT
We came to see a family crossover that looks like a character from "cyberpunk," and on its sporty instrument panel there's an indicator that suggests when you're driving in eco mode. But that's far from the strangest detail of the new model.
The old Tucson was much simpler. It twice became the sales leader in Russia. The price was low. In character—soft, wobbly. And how did it handle? No one really knew. First, no one was interested. Second, even professionals couldn't say anything specific about it. Saying "normal" or "satisfactory" is like saying nothing. Same with the design. It was non-irritating, and that's it.
"WE ARE AFRAID"
Now everything is different. The car has a bright, memorable appearance, and inside—a real revolution. The front panel is curved as if it has an interesting position, and the instruments resemble the face of a guy who first got punched in the face, then was greatly surprised (most likely, it was his girlfriend's father). His face, pushed inward, with eyes bulging in surprise.
In fact, the Koreans simply copied this panel from Mazda or Nissan, or maybe from Subaru or Peugeot. In short, from Mercedes.
I asked a provocative question to the designer responsible for this plagiarism. He replied: "Customers like it." What nonsense! These customers have never seen anything in their lives except two simple wells for the tachometer and speedometer. I'll have to answer for him: "We are afraid to experiment. Let Honda and Citroen take risks."
STIFFNESS
After all the talk, we hit the road. Italian roads, by the way, imitate ours quite well! Asphalt full of potholes, local daredevils honk and drive on the wrong side, ignoring lane markings. Trash lies along the roadsides, and a black BMW 5 Series without plates and with a flashing light darted between lanes.
But even this road chaos couldn't hide the main thing—the ix35 has become noticeably stiffer than the Tucson. It rolls and pitches less in corners, but reacts more sharply to asphalt irregularities.
In Russia, two two-liter versions will be sold: a gasoline one with 163 horsepower and a diesel one with 185. The suspension of the gasoline car is tightened to the limit, and the steering is made heavier. But how it handles mountain serpentines! The Tucson couldn't even dream of that.
The diesel ix35 is tuned differently by the Koreans: softer suspension, lighter steering. And here's the puzzle. If you liked the comfort of the diesel version, know that the diesel itself is much more sporty in character than the gasoline. So choose: a calm gasoline engine with a stiff chassis or a bold diesel with a soft suspension.
Most likely, like me, you'll choose the diesel. After all, fuel prices will only rise here; we're not in America... But then I have to disappoint you: this diesel is currently being tested for compatibility with our fuel, and there are no results yet.
"VOLCANO" AND "BLAST FURNACE"
In any case, you'll buy the ix35. In which version—doesn't matter. The Koreans have calculated everything. The crossover market is growing almost as fast as before the crisis. Just this year, Hyundai plans to sell up to 50,000 ix35s.
This hardworking people know their business. Inexpensive family cars have always turned out well for them. And if you don't snob, driving the ix35 is easy and pleasant. Only the two-stage seat heating bothers me: "blast furnace" and "volcano." Everything else is conducive to purchase. The new ix35 left nothing of the old Tucson. Neither design, nor engines, nor settings. The only common thing is the unibody construction with independent suspensions. In everything else—it's a completely new level.
The question of off-road capability remains. Unfortunately, there was no off-road in the test. Only asphalt. There was no place to check the center differential lock, hill descent control, and ESP disable. How it works, we'll find out already in Russia.
