For large SUVs, a heavy-fuel unit is a rarity.
MY FAVORITE AMONG ENGINES
The three-liter diesel is my absolute favorite. I would boldly give such an engine the title of the best in history. Anyone who has ever driven such a unit will never look at other options. Here, the torque reserve is bottomless. Excellent acceleration from the very bottom. Power, composure, liveliness — all available on demand. If I had an SUV with a gasoline V8, I would immediately sell it for a version with a diesel V6.
The diesel modification is inferior to the gasoline one in dynamics, but this is not critical
Let me remind you that the gasoline engine with a volume of 3.8 liters, available for this Korean, develops 355 Nm at 4500 rpm and 260 hp at 6000 rpm. With it, the crossover reaches 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds, and the top speed is 190 km/h. The diesel version of the ix55 slightly loses to the gasoline one in power (by 21 hp) and in acceleration (by 2.4 seconds longer). But at the gas station, it wins against the opponent and gives a huge advantage in traction (plus 100 Nm).
WITHOUT TRACTOR-LIKE MANNERISMS
However, it's not just about newton-meters. The Korean diesel has almost no tractor-like roughness. By the way, the gearbox is also tuned for asphalt cruising. Those who like to churn mud will not like this high-speed philosophy, but the car itself is not designed for serious off-road. Its strengths lie elsewhere: for example, the absence of noise and vibrations.
The peak torque of 451 Nm for this diesel occurs at 3800 rpm. At low revs, it does not shine
The three-liter diesel engine of the ix55 should be perceived solely as a way to save on fuel compared to gasoline. Do not look for primitive rural power in it. It delivers peak torque at 3800 rpm. This gives it excellent pickup at speeds above 130 km/h, but deprives it of beastly traction at the very bottom.
Apparently, Hyundai engineers set such a goal. To make a version that would consume half as much fuel compared to the gasoline one. I checked this: 11–12 liters is enough for a hundred kilometers even with the most aggressive driving style, and in traffic jams it almost does not consume at all. The girl at the gas station advised me not to fill less than three liters and better buy myself a donut. That's what I did.
The suspension is well adapted for uneven terrain
IN PURSUIT OF ECONOMY
For dessert — an off-road excursion. All basic exercises that a crossover can handle were completed with a solid four. Diagonal articulation, descent and ascent on a slope, mud procedures... If only the geometric cross-country ability did not suffer due to the long wheelbase! Although size is an important marketing plus of the ix55.
There are no serious differences from the gasoline version on dirt. And on asphalt, it is only slightly less nimble. Want to save on fuel without losing much in dynamics? Then the diesel ix55 is your option.
