Hyundai ix35 Series II | new car sales price

Hyundai's ix35 tops the small SUV sales charts, and the Korean carmaker is keen to keep it ahead of the pack. To that end, it's just been given a mid-life update with revised petrol engines, steering and suspension, and some extra features and cosmetic touches.

The 135kW/392Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine continues in the all-wheel drive mid-spec Elite and top-spec Highlander levels with 7.2l/100km fuel economy. But the line-up gets new direct-injected petrol four-cylinders: the 122kW/205Nm 2.0-litre adapted from the i40; and a 136kW/240Nm 2.4-litre.

Powering the two-wheel drive versions of the ix35, claimed fuel economy for the 2.0-litre is 8.2L/100km with the six-speed manual (base Active spec only) and 8.4L/100km for the six-speed auto, an improvement of 0.3 and 0.1L. However the all-wheel drive auto-only 2.4-litre has a fuel figure of 9.8L/100km -- a rise of 0.6L.

Hyundai says the ix35 has undergone comprehensive local tuning of the suspension and steering to better match them to Australian conditions.

Main exterior changes are the revamped headlight clusters, metal-finish roof rails and new 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the cabin gets a reclining rear seatback, new cloth upholstery for Active and soft-touch trim for other grades.

The drive launch is next week -- check back for our verdict -- however the ix35 Series II is already on sale, with the entry level manual Active two-wheel drive carrying over its $26,990 price tag but increases of $200 to $400 for other spec levels.

Hyundai ix35 Series II range

Hyundai ix35 Series II 2WD Active 2.0 (man) $26,990
Hyundai ix35 Series II 2WD Active 2.0(auto) $29,190
Hyundai ix35 Series II 2WD Elite 2.0(auto) $33,090
Hyundai ix35 Series II AWD Elite 2.4 (auto) $35,490
Hyundai ix35 Series II AWD Elite CRDi (auto) $38,090
Hyundai ix35 Series II AWD Highlander 2.4 (auto) $38,090
Hyundai ix35 Series II AWD Highlander CRDi (auto) $40,490
Hyundai ix35 Special Edition 2.0 (auto) $30,990
Hyundai ix35 Special Edition CRDi (auto) $35,990

This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott