Today I checked out the all new Hyundai ix25, in my eyes a mini-Santa Fe.
The big SF had to go for it's (her?) first 5000 km / 3125 miles interval checkup where basically the only thing that was changed was the small oil-filter and the oil itself, replaced by Kixx 100% synthetic oil from Korea (that is basically around the corner here). I had no choice to accept this oil, I didn't bring (yet) any of my own and the price was decent (considering the prices here for anything car-related).
Back to the showroom. I already knew the ix25 was released.
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Here is a photo. This car comes in China in 2 variants ; with a 1.6 and 2.0 engine, both NA, non-turbos. Power between 91 kWh/121 hp and 121 kWh/164 hp. Nothing spectacular.
This small CUV is 20 inches shorter than the SFS ; total length is around 4.25 meters/167", width is 10cm/4" less than the SFS but the weight is a whopping 450 kilos/990 pounds less than my SFS AWD 2.0T ; 1350 kilos or 2970 pounds.
This made the 1.6 engine that I tested (to see if this car would be fit the GF) not that bad. Sure it missed the oomph of the 2.0T but it did go forward fast enough. As an NA engine it likes to rev a bit, but you want to shift (manually with the AT) before it hits 5000 rpm because then the sounds becomes unpleasant.
This is a city CUV. It is almost nimble but it can haul loads of 170cm/67" in the back with the rear-seats down. It misses the "secret" SFS cargospace under the bottom but it does have a lot of space in the back for your passengers. Legroom is sufficient and compared to most sedans actually 'a lot'.
In front the seat felt ok, I could fit in my 1.94m/76"/6.4 foot well in the car. I had around 1.5" headroom left even with the panoramic sunroof which is equally nice to have as the one in the SFS, though the sunroof in the SFS is again, a bit bigger.
Space for my shoulders and left-arm felt a bit more cramped, but I was wearing a thick sweater and thick coat so if you take that off it probably would be pleasant. Room for my legs was ok, not perfect.
The version me and GF drove had the 1.6 engine and was basically the top-model in that line. Big center navigation unit with rear-view camera. Pano sunroof. At least 5 airbags IIRC, 6 speakers (not tested), leather seats. Electric adjustable driver seat, manual adjustable seat for the passenger. Heated and 'cooled' seat for the driver.
The dashboard is lower than the SFS. For me it is too low, it feels like I am about to fall forward. It is a strange feeling, I felt that as well in the Ford Kuga/Escape. For some reason I like a high dashboard so I can feel 'safe' behind it.
Seats in the back felt thinner and of less quality than in the SFS.
The driving on the road in the city did not reveal a lot. A seller from the dealer rode the first stint and he did some emergency stops that showed the stopping power (impressing) and U-turn at relative speed that showed the ESP/ABD/ABS/whatever doing it's work. I would never make a U-turn like that in a city so it is assuring that you could do that.
The ground clearance is like the SFS, around 180mm / 7" which is enough in the city but not that much outside (I found that out in my SFS already and left behind several pieces of the protective plastic on the bottom that simply were ripped off when I had to traverse a ditch).
My impression ; 8 out of 10. I expect this car to become a hit in China. If they ship it to Europe it could be a hit too. There is no small CUV out there that has the style/looks and the luxury that many young urban couples love to have.
Prices here are from $22k USD to $35k USD which is unfortunately not very much in China. Yep you guys in the US can consider yourselves lucky. As comparison, an SFS 4WD 2.0T costs around $52k here. Buyers that are happy with a 6 speed manual 1.6 and almost no luxury can drive a very spacious and good looking 'storm edge' mini-CUV for a very sharp price in the Chinese market.
If Hyundai can lower that price outside China then this car MUST be a hit. I'd almost start to buy Hyundai stock
Improvements possible : add a 1.6T engine with at least 130 kWh/180 hp. That would crush competition (like entry level Ford Escape/Kuga, VW Tiguan, Buick Encore, perhaps even the Mazda CX-5. Now 'sportive' buyers are forced into the SFS with the meaty 2.4 or oomphy 2.0T while they might not need that space.
The Honda XR-V might be the major opponent for the ix25, both cars come in metallic orange (a good looking color to be honest).
Disclaimer ; I was NEVER a Hyundai-fan. I still am no fan, just a very "logical" buyer. When shopping for a city-SUV I ended up with the SFS. I don't really like complete other line-up of Hyundai, except the SFS and now the ix25. So I have a specific taste. I had a VW Passat before and found the typical sedan to be impractical. The space of the SFS already proved to be very useful when I hauled around 300 kilos/600 pounds of camping-gear up the mountains at near 9k ft. Loved it. Bad roads. No problem. This ix25 is less of a mountain-goat than the SFS but it comes also in a AWD version (with independent rear-suspension, the 2WDs come with a semi-independant rear).
Some more photos:
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In white:
![Image]()
Champagne
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Red
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Blue/purple
![Image]()
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The big SF had to go for it's (her?) first 5000 km / 3125 miles interval checkup where basically the only thing that was changed was the small oil-filter and the oil itself, replaced by Kixx 100% synthetic oil from Korea (that is basically around the corner here). I had no choice to accept this oil, I didn't bring (yet) any of my own and the price was decent (considering the prices here for anything car-related).
Back to the showroom. I already knew the ix25 was released.
Here is a photo. This car comes in China in 2 variants ; with a 1.6 and 2.0 engine, both NA, non-turbos. Power between 91 kWh/121 hp and 121 kWh/164 hp. Nothing spectacular.
This small CUV is 20 inches shorter than the SFS ; total length is around 4.25 meters/167", width is 10cm/4" less than the SFS but the weight is a whopping 450 kilos/990 pounds less than my SFS AWD 2.0T ; 1350 kilos or 2970 pounds.
This made the 1.6 engine that I tested (to see if this car would be fit the GF) not that bad. Sure it missed the oomph of the 2.0T but it did go forward fast enough. As an NA engine it likes to rev a bit, but you want to shift (manually with the AT) before it hits 5000 rpm because then the sounds becomes unpleasant.
This is a city CUV. It is almost nimble but it can haul loads of 170cm/67" in the back with the rear-seats down. It misses the "secret" SFS cargospace under the bottom but it does have a lot of space in the back for your passengers. Legroom is sufficient and compared to most sedans actually 'a lot'.
In front the seat felt ok, I could fit in my 1.94m/76"/6.4 foot well in the car. I had around 1.5" headroom left even with the panoramic sunroof which is equally nice to have as the one in the SFS, though the sunroof in the SFS is again, a bit bigger.
Space for my shoulders and left-arm felt a bit more cramped, but I was wearing a thick sweater and thick coat so if you take that off it probably would be pleasant. Room for my legs was ok, not perfect.
The version me and GF drove had the 1.6 engine and was basically the top-model in that line. Big center navigation unit with rear-view camera. Pano sunroof. At least 5 airbags IIRC, 6 speakers (not tested), leather seats. Electric adjustable driver seat, manual adjustable seat for the passenger. Heated and 'cooled' seat for the driver.
The dashboard is lower than the SFS. For me it is too low, it feels like I am about to fall forward. It is a strange feeling, I felt that as well in the Ford Kuga/Escape. For some reason I like a high dashboard so I can feel 'safe' behind it.
Seats in the back felt thinner and of less quality than in the SFS.
The driving on the road in the city did not reveal a lot. A seller from the dealer rode the first stint and he did some emergency stops that showed the stopping power (impressing) and U-turn at relative speed that showed the ESP/ABD/ABS/whatever doing it's work. I would never make a U-turn like that in a city so it is assuring that you could do that.
The ground clearance is like the SFS, around 180mm / 7" which is enough in the city but not that much outside (I found that out in my SFS already and left behind several pieces of the protective plastic on the bottom that simply were ripped off when I had to traverse a ditch).
My impression ; 8 out of 10. I expect this car to become a hit in China. If they ship it to Europe it could be a hit too. There is no small CUV out there that has the style/looks and the luxury that many young urban couples love to have.
Prices here are from $22k USD to $35k USD which is unfortunately not very much in China. Yep you guys in the US can consider yourselves lucky. As comparison, an SFS 4WD 2.0T costs around $52k here. Buyers that are happy with a 6 speed manual 1.6 and almost no luxury can drive a very spacious and good looking 'storm edge' mini-CUV for a very sharp price in the Chinese market.
If Hyundai can lower that price outside China then this car MUST be a hit. I'd almost start to buy Hyundai stock
Improvements possible : add a 1.6T engine with at least 130 kWh/180 hp. That would crush competition (like entry level Ford Escape/Kuga, VW Tiguan, Buick Encore, perhaps even the Mazda CX-5. Now 'sportive' buyers are forced into the SFS with the meaty 2.4 or oomphy 2.0T while they might not need that space.
The Honda XR-V might be the major opponent for the ix25, both cars come in metallic orange (a good looking color to be honest).
Disclaimer ; I was NEVER a Hyundai-fan. I still am no fan, just a very "logical" buyer. When shopping for a city-SUV I ended up with the SFS. I don't really like complete other line-up of Hyundai, except the SFS and now the ix25. So I have a specific taste. I had a VW Passat before and found the typical sedan to be impractical. The space of the SFS already proved to be very useful when I hauled around 300 kilos/600 pounds of camping-gear up the mountains at near 9k ft. Loved it. Bad roads. No problem. This ix25 is less of a mountain-goat than the SFS but it comes also in a AWD version (with independent rear-suspension, the 2WDs come with a semi-independant rear).
Some more photos:
In white:
Champagne
Red
Blue/purple
