(Tue 23 Feb 10)

Hyundai's new compact SUV, the ix35, will go on sale in the UK on March 25, priced from £16,495. That amount will buy you the entry-level two-litre front-wheel drive Style model - all other versions use a two-litre CRDi turbo diesel engine and come with a choice of Style and Premium trim levels and front- or four-wheel drive.

Standard equipment on the Style includes 17" alloy wheels, ESP, air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, heated front and rear seats, electric heated door mirrors with integrated LED side repeaters, leather steering wheel and gearknob, reverse parking sensors and a trip computer. The Premium gets 18" alloys, a panoramic glass sunroof, automatic headlights, cruise control, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, electric folding door mirrors, keyless entry, a start/stop function, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, part-leather upholstery and roof rails.

The ix35 also comes with full leather seats, touch-screen satellite navigation and a reversing camera, but they are all optional extras. Without them, the diesel range costs between £17,995 for the front-wheel drive Style and £20,745 for the 4x4 Premium.

The range will be extended in the autumn with the introduction of a direct-injection 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 1.7-litre diesel which will undoubtedly provide the best fuel economy and lowest CO2 emissions.

Hyundai quotes industry expert CAP as saying that the ix35 will retain up to 45% of its value after three years/30,000 miles.

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