Spy Video: 2016 Hyundai ix35 Testing at the Nurburgring

Korea, not Hollywood, is the plastic surgery capital of the world. They can turn anybody into a French actress or a Norwegian stud. Not surprisingly, their car redesigns are equally as impressive. For the ix35, squinting eyes and a butch grille will mean masculine looks that appeal to both soccer moms and weekend getaway dads.

We could be looking at an all-LED headlight arrangement here. There are at least two very small beams in the main lights and no fog lights, which is uncommon for a high-spec car unless the headlights can do an extra job.

Even if it's an option, all-LED lights on a normal compact SUV is pretty much a class first. However, Volkswagen and SEAT will also launch new models to compete in this segment, and based on the Golf/Leon, we can safely say they will also have LEDs.

Compact SUV represent on of the biggest and most highly competitive markets in the world. Fortunately for Hyundai, their next-generation ix35/Tucson is backed by strong reputation. Not a lot is known about their next-gen cars, but Hyundai have been secretly working on some new engines over the past year.

Downsizing Is a Possibility

One of them is a small 1.2-liter turbo petrol that can do the job of a 1.6-liter for the European market cars with front-wheel drive. Nissan also offers such an engine on its Qashqai crossover, which can be considered a rival. Diesel options should continue to include updated 1.7 and a 2.2-liter engines that meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standard.

In America, the 2.0-liter GDI DOHC is likely to carry over with the same 6-speed automatic. The 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder will get a slight increase in output from 182 hp to 185 hp, together with a few mpgs being added. Rumors coming from Hyundai USA say we should expect a Sport Turbo model, but we can't tell you if it's the 204 hp 1.6-liter or the 2-liter Theta II making 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft.