If you're shopping for a new Hyundai ix35, that brawny 130kW/383Nm 2-litre turbodiesel version would most certainly be at the top of your wish list.
Yet if you really want a diesel but the price tags of R409 900 for the Elite manual and R469 900 for the AWD auto are just a nudge or two out of reach, you might want to look at the new 1.7-litre turbodiesel that's just joined the range.
The new 1.7-litre turbodiesel model is offered with a six-speed manual gearbox only and costs R50 000 less than the 2.0 CRDi, the new model setting you back R359 900. The 1.7 pushes 85kW at 4000rpm and 260Nm between 1250 and 2750rpm, and matches its bigger brother's EU laboratory fuel consumption average of 6.5 litres per 100km. Forget the latter ambition and it'll sprint from 0-100km/h in 12.4 seconds and reach 173km/h.
The 1.7 will be sold with the 'Premium' specification grade, which entails 17-inch alloys in a gun-metal finish, cruise control and a 160-watt six-speaker audio system mated to a 4.3-inch colour touch-screen, which links to a reverse camera. The seats are upholstered in a cloth-leather combination.
After-sales back-up comes in the form of a five-year/150 000km warranty and five-year/90 000km service plan.
PRICES
2.0 NU Premium 6-speed manual (petrol) - R324 900
2.0 NU Premium 6-speed auto (petrol) - R339 900
2.0 NU Executive 6-speed manual (petrol) - R359 900
2.0 NU Elite 6-speed auto (petrol) - R385 400
U1.7 Premium 6-speed manual (turbodiesel) - R359 900
R2.0 Elite 6-speed manual (turbodiesel) - R409 900
R2.0 Elite 6-speed auto (turbodiesel) - R469 900