Hyundai IX35 Problems

Small SUVs are the auto equivalent of smartphones: you have to be seen with one. Those who haven’t already caught on are rushing to buy (or build) light and compact crossovers. In Australia, couples and families hold the view that SUVs represent the “best of both worlds”. With fuel economy and comfort to rival a small car; the space to carry furniture or friends and a high ride height for the “command” seating; SUVs are a multi-purpose lifestyle accessory. It’s just a case of which design suits that lifestyle. THE CARS Excluding the all-paw Forester, the rest of the fleet are front-wheel drive models. All are entry level automatic or continuously variable transmission versions. And all sold more than 1000 cars last month, making them as mainstream as a Toyota Camry. THIRST SkyActiv technology gives the Mazda CX-5 the lead in the weekly fuel costs at around $26.33. That’s more than $8.50 cheaper than the dearest vehicle here, Hyundai’s iX35. It is small change over a week but adds up to more than $425 a year being siphoned out of the wallet/purse, so it’s worth considering. SERVICING Caps off to the capped-price carmakers. Online disclosure means it is easy to see how much servicing of a Toyota or Hyundai will be. As yet, Honda doesn’t have the option of capped price servicing, while Subaru and Mazda want vehicle identification before they’ll quote the costs. Hyundai heads this pack with one yearly visit to the dealer that will cost $259. DEPRECIATION Buying a new car is an investment in emotion, not practicality. The best-performing of this group - the Mazda, Subaru and Honda - will be worth just 54 per cent of its new price value in three years, according to Glass’s Guide. The Hyundai and Toyota will have halved in value over that period. MISC Government charges vary by state; check with your local authority for registration on a specific vehicle. The capped price servicing won’t cover items subject to wear in the normal course of their life, such as tyres, windscreen wipers and brake pads. *Fuel costs based on April national average of 142.6c for 91 ULP and 15,000km travelled annually. Mazda CX-5 FWD  Fuel use @ 6.4L/100km = $1368.96 p/a = $4106.88 over 3 yrs Cost $29,880. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per cent Servicing: $394 first yr; $1745 over 3 yrs/60,000km Toyota RAV4 CVT Fuel use @ 7.4L/100km = $1582.86 p/a = $4748.50 over 3 yrs Cost $30,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 50 per cent Servicing: $340/yr; $1020 over 3 yrs/60,000km Hyundai ix35 Active Fuel use @ 8.5L/100km = $1818.15 p/a = $5454.45 over 3 yrs Cost $28,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 50 per cent Servicing: $259/yr; $777 over 3 yrs/45,000km Subaru Forester 2.5i Fuel use @ 8.1L/100km = $1732.59 p/a = $5197.77 over 3 yrs Cost $32,990. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per cent Servicing: $542.72 first yr; $1983.70 over 3 yrs/75,000km Honda CR-V VTi Fuel use @ 7.7L/100km = $1647.03 p/a = $4941.09 over 3 yrs Cost $31,790. Residual value after 3 yrs 54 per cent Servicing: $483.64 first yr; $1450.92 over 3 yrs/60,000km  

But the really important question is: what do women want in a car? Finding the answer keeps carmakers tossing and turning at night, because they are well aware that women choose more than half the vehicles sold in Australia. There are all the ones they buy for themselves, as well as the deciding vote on most of the ones bought by households. Sorry, fellas. It’s true. No matter how much you want that souped-up sports car, unless the head of household finances agrees you may as well back away from the vehicle now. One of the earliest attempts to deliver a car for women was the mid-1950s Dodge La Femme. It was actually a 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer under the skin, but the Detroit designers camouflaged that skin as thoroughly as a make-up artist doing Vogue covers. The car was decked out in pink paint, with an interior covered in pink vinyl, set off by pink rosebud tapestry. And to show that this was not merely a cynical marketing exercise, Dodge kitted the car with accessories they thought reflected the growing independence of post-World War II women moving into meaningful career paths - a pink handbag complete with office essentials like a matching powder compact, lipstick case and comb. Sales estimates run as low as less than 1000 cars. And the pink panderer was quickly dropped from the Dodge range at the end of the following year. Australia’s own Carla Zampatti tweaked a Ford specifically for women in the 1980s, but whether it won women - with accessories including a hanging hook for handbags - is still open to question. However, Dodge and Ford weren’t completely on the wrong track. Women want a car to be stylish, but also practical. Luckily, these days there are quite a few vehicles that fit the bill – without playing the pink paint card. These are the best style picks for women today, from a woman's perspective, with the figures for the basic car. Don’t agree with these? Let us know what YOU think women want in a car in our poll at left. LIGHT Mazda2 Price: from $16,030 Engine: 76kW/137Nm 1.5-litre petrol Transmission: manual Economy: 6.4L/km Emissions: 152g/km The baby 2 has cute and slightly edgy looks, is compact with usable space, and the long doors make it easy to get in the back seat. The auto will be preferred by most, but it adds to the weight of the little car. Close calls: Ford Fiesta from $16,990; Peugeot 207 from $22,490. SMALL BMW 1-Series Price: from $38,900 Engine: 160kW/270Nm 2.0-litre petrol Transmission: manual Economy: 8.2L/km Emissions: 190g/km A pocket-sized entry in German prestige – without breaking the pocket. Looks stunning, an amazing amount of room, and great to drive. Close calls: Mazda3 from $21,330; Hyundai i30 from $20,390. MEDIUM Ford Mondeo Price: from $31,990 Engine: 118kW/208Nm 2.3-litre petrol Transmission: manual Economy: 9.5L/km Emissions: 227g/km The best thing Ford has brought to Australia in … ever, possibly. Enough space to make you wonder if you’ll ever need a larger car, elegant design and well built. Close calls: Mazda6 from $31,834; Audi A5 Sportback from $78,400. LARGE Audi A6 Price: from $74,500 Engine: 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre petrol Transmission: automatic Economy: 5.8L/km Emissions: 153g/km There’s not a high chic quotient in this class - where the homegrown Falcon and Commodore lean more to aggressive styling - so the Audi’s restrained elegance makes it a clear winner. Close calls: Honda Accord from $36,381Mercedes-Benz E-Class from $80,900. PEOPLE MOVER Honda Odyssey Price: from $46,166 Engine: 132kW/218Nm 2.5-litre petrol Transmission: manual Economy: 8.9L/km Emissions: 212g/km In a class that’s dominated by lumpy boxes, the Odyssey is a sleek stand-out. It's low-slung, car-like and leading with a fashionable face. Close calls: Citroen C4 Grand Picasso from $39,990; Chrysler Voyager $60,990. SPORTY BMW Mini Cooper Clubman Price: from $36,600 Engine: 88kW/160Nm 1.6-litre petrol Transmission: automatic Economy: 6.8L/km Emissions: 163g/km A bonsai wagon with go-kart street cred and revamped retro lines, this one will get admiring glances from everybody. Close calls: Kia Cerato Koup from $23,690; Audi S3 from $69,100. CONVERTIBLE Volkswagen Eos Price: from $47,990 Engine: 103kW/320Nm diesel Transmission: automatic Economy: 6.0L/km Emissions: 158g/km The EOS is streamlined and sophisticated, looks equally good with the roof open or closed – and has enough room in the back to get a couple of extra friends in for short trips. Close calls: BMW Z4 from $86,200; Lexus IS250C from $80,150.  SUV Hyundai ix35 Price: from $26,990 Engine: 122kW/197Nm petrol Transmission: manual Economy: 8.5L/km Emissions: 201g/km There’s heaps of practicality but precious little style in the SUV paddocks. But Hyundai’s new compact ix35 proves you can have both. Ultra-modern lines, trim shape and space to spare. Close calls: Jeep Wrangler (medium) from $31,590; Land Rover Range Rover Sport (large) from $99,900.