W HEN Hyundai launched its Tuscon in 2004, you could count its direct rivals on the fingers of two hands. Back then, the market for compact 4x4 vehicles hadn't yet gone supernova and buyers interested in this type of vehicle had a comparatively easy task deciding which model to plump for.
Hop in your Tardis and fast forward to 2009, the year that the Tuscon's replacement, the Hyundai ix35 was unveiled.
Suddenly, sock removal is essential for anyone attempting to assign a digit to all the various compact 4x4 contenders.
If you include the growing cluster of crossover models that split the difference between 4x4 and family hatchback, you would need another pair of hands altogether. To stand out in this crowded marketplace, the ix35 – priced from £17,555 to £25,450 – needs to be special.
With a modern approach to the compact 4x4 market that prioritises style and road-going performance over off-road ability, the ix35 is a viable choice amongst the hordes of compact off-roaders out there at the moment. Its tight pricing and generous equipment levels are powerful weapons.
Not all ix35 models are four-wheel-drive. As has increasingly become the case with crossovers and compact 4x4s designed mainly for road use, the entry-level ix35s will be front-wheel-drive only.
This means the extra traction to help you out in slippery conditions is lost but all ix35s still have the extended ground clearance to stop them coming to grief on speed humps and high kerbs.
Of course, if you feel like a bit of a fraud driving a front- wheel-drive "4x4", the more expensive ix35 versions will deliver the goods.
Features such as Downhill Brake Control (which stops the vehicle running away with you when heading down steep gradients) and Hill-Start Assist Control (which ensures a smooth getaway when driving back up), will help should you decide to venture off the Queen's highway.
The latest crop of Hyundai products have elevated the brand into serious contention at the top of some of the European market's biggest sectors. If you had to criticise models like the i10, i20 and i30, however, it would be on grounds of their somewhat formulaic styling.
A bit of visual drama is helping propel Hyundai to the next level and the ix35 confirms that things are moving in the right direction. It's the most adventurously styled Hyundai we've seen for a long while. From the front, there's definite scope for mistaking it for Ford's handsome Kuga.
The size of the ix35 places it in the middle of the compact 4x4 class. It's around 10cm longer than a Nissan Qashqai but smaller than the Honda CR-V and Chevrolet Captiva. It retains the elevated ride height whether customers choose two or four driven wheels, so getting in and out should be straightforward as should loading. Decent head and legroom in the back make this a bona fide family car and the build is as sturdy as recent Hyundai efforts have led us to expect.
By positioning the car in the gap between road-biased crossover 4x4s and the traditional compact off-roaders, Hyundai is hoping to maximise the appeal of the ix35. It's roomy and practical enough to fill the family car role and has the dramatic looks to stand out, even in this crowded marketplace. In the end, it's the competitive pricing and long warranty which are likely to play the biggest role in convincing would-be buyers to take the plunge.