Sector: Crossover Price (October 2013): £20,210 Fuel: 54.3mpg CO2: 135g/km

Given the pace of generational change at Hyundai, the ix35 could be excused for looking dated against the latest models in the range. But it speaks volumes for the crossover that, for its mid-life refresh, so little has changed.

The ix35 remains an important model for Hyundai. Some 30,000 have found homes in the UK, and it’s put the carmaker firmly into the user-chooser arena. It’s the car with which Hyundai competes for a share of a segment containing the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan. And, post-facelift, it’s the model which makes Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain a series-produced reality.

So Hyundai hasn’t needed to radically overhaul its C-segment crossover. Updated versions are marked out by new LED-lined headlamps, optionally available with bi-Xenon technology, and the hexagonal grille is now bisected by a body-coloured bar.

Inside, there’s been a noticeable attempt to upgrade plastics on commonly touched areas of the dashboard and door cards, successfully adding a more upmarket feel, while the navigation system has been upgraded and now includes full postcode search – a bugbear with the old model.

Under the bonnet, the ix35 retains the outgoing car’s 1.7-litre, 115bhp diesel engine available only with two-wheel drive. The updated car features revised 2.0-litre diesel engines and 1.6-litre GDI petrols, but at the most economical end of the range the CO2 emissions are practically unchanged, at 139g/km dropping to 135g/km for the Blue Drive version which adds a stop/start system.

While this is a little behind some of the best performers in the segment, which are now under 120g/km, the ix35 easily comes close to its claimed figures, returning over 50mpg in combined driving with gentle throttle inputs. While the engine is never particularly brisk, it doesn’t feel laboured either.

The ix35 also scores well on comfort. It’s spacious inside, and on the SE’s 17-inch alloy wheels it rides impeccably both at motorway speeds and around town. Drop the rear seats and the load area swells to 1,436 litres, stacked to its high roofline.

There are some very strong competitors in this sector, and improvements to Hyundai’s own model range could easily have shown up shortfalls in the ix35. But with only subtle upgrades needed, it’s evident Hyundai got the crossover correct the first time around.

Verdict:

Nobody has achieved quite the same ubiquity in this sector as the Nissan Qashqai, but the ix35 continues to offer a well-rounded alternative against a strong pack of rival products. A downward push on CO2 would be helpful, though.