A POORLY performing economy forces most of us to consider how we spend our cash, and it often only takes a quick scan through the direct debit inventory, shopping list or - for the particularly organised - monthly budget to see where 'swinging cuts' can be made.

Sometimes, things don't need to be chopped at all. Instead, items can be replaced with a brand that offers better value.

Cornflakes are the obvious example. Breakfast is, after all, the most important meal of the day, but does it warrant the additional expense of the big name brand?

The only way to find out is to take the plunge. Many will find the economy flakes to be a more than suitable way to get the day started; others will be on their way to the cornershop for a box of the regular before the budget flakes have had a chance to get soggy.

The same goes for larger items, including cars.

Hyundai has had a better recession than most. Historically considered a value-for-money (aka budget) brand, the resulting badge snobbery has offered the Korean manufacturer little justice in the past.

Of course, with budgets squeezed, the 'value brand' has been of considerably more interest to many and rather than discovering a slightly pale and too quick to soften cornflake, it seems the 33,000 drivers who took advantage of the scrappage scheme to buy a new Hyundai found the quality to be up there with the big-name brands.

This is a point driven home by the fact that, as used car market experts are nervously pointing out, many of the drivers who purchased under scrappage don't intend to upgrade any time soon. Their new Hyundai is to see them right for a few years, with full advantage taken of the five-year warranty. A more emphatic recommendation is hard to find.

Can 33,000 people be wrong? Probably, but judging from the quality of Hyundai's latest arrival, they certainly are not on this point.

The iX35 follows the trend for family crossovers that combine the practicality and sensible proportions of hatchbacks with the high-rise driving position of SUVs.

Initially available with a 2.0-litre petrol or 2.0-litre diesel engine with the option of on-demand four-wheel with the diesel unit, a new 1.6-litre petrol and super-efficient 1.7-litre diesel unit are set to follow.

These elements are to be expected from an eminently sensible, value-for-money proposition, but the cutting edge styling is perhaps not. It's a struggle to find an angle from which the iX35 suffers aesthetically. Granted, it's not supercar exotica, but it's more than a match for its European rivals and a shape drivers can be proud to be seen at the wheel of - an important factor when considering the 'badge snobbery' issue.

Inside, there's a similar appeal. Build quality is strong and the interior layout smart and stylish. An attractive set of dials greets the driver and there are obvious nods towards occupant convenience; the window and door mirror switches are angled towards the driver for example (a trend that appears to be to comfort in the modern era what damped grab handles were to comfort in the previous decade).

It's roomy, too. Headroom is naturally very good, but legroom in the rear is surprisingly generous and the boot is not short of potential. The iX35 does not feel particularly wide however; three adults across the rear bench may find things a little cosy.

The sensible dimensions pay off in terms of road manners, however. Like all good crossovers it doesn't feel like a big car in town, but offers an excellent driving position with a genuinely commanding view.

The 2.0-litre diesel unit provides evenly distributed torque, making it an undemanding car to drive. Refined on the motorway and with a duly responsive and a well-behaved chassis on a B-road it's hard to find fault. The steering may be a little springy for some, with the wheel whipping around aggressively to the central position when emerging from a junction, but this does equate to a responsive feel. In terms of road-holding the four-wheel drive chassis has obvious benefits, but the two-wheel drive version is very capable.

The iX35's piece-de-resistance, however, is its equipment. Two trim levels are available, Style and Premium, with upgrade packages bringing sat-nav, upgraded dials and a more powerful sound system.

Yet even the entry-level model gets heated front and rear seats, reversing sensors and Bluetooth amidst a long list. The upper grade, itself only a small additional financial commitment, gets a full length sunroof, dual-zone climate control keyless entry and auto-lights and wipers and more.

At the iX35's asking price, that's a hard factor to ignore.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Hyundai iX35 2.0 CRDi 5-dr 2WD Premium, £19,745 on the road.

Engine: 2.0-litre diesel unit producing 134bhp and 236lb/ft torque.

Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels.

Performance: 0-62mph in 9.4 secs. Top speed 113mph.

CO2 emissions: 153g/km.

Economy: 47.9mpg