Hyundai ix35 / Tucson ix

The Hyundai ix35 has now launched in Korea. Video below.

We reported a few days ago on the launch of Hyundai’s replacement for the Tucson – the Hyundai ix35 – in its home market of Korea, and once reports of the launch hit the Interweb Hyundai decided to issue a picture of the European version.

But now we have the video of the ix. Which admittedly has plenty of blurb splashing on the screen in Korean – and a Britney Spears soundtrack – but it’s still well worth the watch.

We’ve said umpteen times in the past that the Koreans in the guise of Kia and Hyundai are really starting to produce cars that are the match of the best from Europe and Japan. But this new ix/Tucson really does look to be a cracking car. Very European in styling (which is hardly a surprise as it was designed here) and appears to be very well bolted together.

But it’s not just a cheap alternative to a Kuga or Tiguan, it looks to be a viable alternative regardless of the Hyundai budget price point. And that will make for a very interesting market place. Badge snobbery has kept Hyundai ‘In its place’ to great degree until now, but with the world and his dog tightening their belts we could actually start to see Hyundais becoming the default choice in their sector before long.

Is this an SUV? Hyundai claim it is – a ‘Sexy Utility Vehicle’!