I've just had a new ix35 on hire in Spain with 5 adults on board.

It was very economical, with excellent Air con,roomy boot with slide top cover.( and a full size spare.)

Comfy front seats ,quiet on the motorway and tyres with reasonable depth (225/60/17 I think.)

and    erm.... that was it......

 

On the debit side it had a variably rattly diesel engine with rubbery gearshift.

Strangely weighted power steering which seemed to want to wind on lock under power.

Awful onboard visibility,especially 3/4 rear.

I couldn't see much out of the back because of the sloping rear roofline.

I got a crick in my neck getting in and out because of the sloping windscreen.

On driving home in the Yeti my rear seat passengers remarked on how it seemed larger than the hyundai, with better shaped seats.

The turning circle was noticeably larger too.

I'm afraid it was a big NO from me...

I'm on my second Hyundai...albeit the tiny i10. Both bought new.  Realistically it's here coz the Mrs likes a smaller car.

 

It's a shame but I now think that even if Hyundai brought out the definitive and class leading car, of whatever size, I couldn't - no, wouldn't!  - buy it.

 

If I were to document the to-ings and fro-ings I've endured with all manner of ranks, from the highest to the lowest, within Hyundai Head Office, and also my local dealer, then it would run to many pages.  The vast majority of them not good.

 

As I say it's a shame as the idea of a five year warranty appeals, but, as I've found out, claims on the  warranty aren't simply a matter you going there and telling them something doesn't work, can you fix it please....no, quite the opposite in fact.

 

In my view it's a pity Toyota and Honda don't produce more appealing models as I have a degree of trust in them based on previous purchases.  And compared to Hyundai, Skoda are, going by my experience, far better than Hyundai.... my claims on the Skoda warranty were fairly limited but they seemed to deal with them OK.

Edited 9 July, 201412 yr by oldstan

I have noticed that virtually all the Yeti competitors seem to have left the interior the same size as a normal car, but just raised the body up & put a 'suv ' type body shell on it.

 

Is it lazy design, or major parts sharing to save money ?

The Sante Fe suffers from exactly the same steering 'problems' as the 35.

It's so unnatural that it ruled itself out of my buying equation.

Rear seat leg room for adults was a 'plus point' when choosing a Yeti in the first place, for us.

Have friend with ix35 and am listening for comments as they get used to it.......

Still in love with my Yeti!