Hyundai has launched the new ix35 compact SUV on the Shanghai Auto Show in China, it will hit the Chinese car market in Q3. Styling is a surprise, very square with a straight front end. The lights are large and the grille is shiny, and it has black wheel arches in crossover style.

This is the current ix35, still in production in China at the Beijing-Hyundai joint venture that will also make the new car. Price of the current ix35 starts at 149.800 yuan and ends at 222.800 yuan. Engines: 160hp 2.0 and a 170hp 2.4.

Question is how new the new ix35 really is. It is marginally wider and higher than the current ix35 but the wheelbase is exactly the same, and this usually indicates that the platform didn’t change. Furthermore, Beijing-Hyundai  is very good in dressing up old cars like new, just look at the Celesta.

It is a fascinating company. No car ever retires there.  They still produce the third generation Elantra, the fifth generation Elantra, the fourth generation Sonata, the fifth generation Sonata, and  the first generation Sante Fe, among other oldies.

The ‘new’ ix35 will retain the 160hp 2.0 but the 2.4 will be retired. Instead, Hyundai will offer a 130hp 1.4 turbo, which seems barely strong enough for a car the size of the ix35.

Design a bit messy on the C-D pillar, with an odd and very small third-side window.

Grille looks great.

Bumper does not, too big and far too shiny.

How new are you really..?