Car Pool: Hyundai ix35 SE diesel

The price: $34,990

Vital statistics: 2.0-litre, 4cyl turbo diesel; 135kW and 392Nm; six-speed automatic transmission; 7.5L/100km and 198g/km CO2; AWD.

The tester: David McCowen

Why we're driving it: Hyundai has bolstered its ix35 lineup with new Czech-built SE models that bring extra features at a reduced price.

Likes: The ix35 SE offers strong value, and is $2600 cheaper than the similarly equipped ix35 Elite diesel. The car is packed with goodies such as heated leather seats, a reversing camera and cooled glove box. It has a slightly revised look featuring a revised front bumper with projector headlights along with different alloy wheels that separate it from South Korean siblings. Diesel motor has plenty of grunt and the auto does a good job keeping it on the boil.

Dislikes: Rear seat legroom is limited. Dashboard layout and infotainment system feel dated. Automatic lacks paddle shifters and Hyundai's FlexSteer system is absent. Stereo easy to use but lacks thump. Not the sportiest drive in its class. Fuel use well behind class-leading Mazda CX-5.

Would I buy one?

The European-sourced ix35 SE presents strong value and is worthy of consideration.