Launch of the all-new Hyundai Accent solves the riddle of the Korean giant’s Australian model lineup.
The sharply priced and handily equipped Hyundai Accent slips in between the budget-busting Hyundai i20 and larger i30 models. The newcomer’s arrival is timely as stocks of the evergreen Hyundai Getz are just about gone (139,000 sold in Australia since launch).
All-new Hyundai Accent (hatchback and sedan) is stickered from $16,990 to $22,990 and is available in three model grades (Active, Elite and Premium) all powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine and offering the highest five-star ANCAP safety rating. Technology is impressive and includes standard Vehicle Stability Management plus rear-view camera and reverse park assist (standard in Premium models).
And even though the Hyundai Accent is only just being launched, additions are already on the way – a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine and a new, high-tech petrol – gasoline direct injection with dual variable valve timing.
For those on a tighter budget, the Hyundai i20 (starting price $15,490) is Hyundai’s star. From the 2012 model year, the Hyundai i20 will be rationalized to two model grades (entry-level Active and higher-grade Elite) both powered by Hyundai’s 74kW/136Nm, 1.4-litre, four-cylinder engine.
So while the departure of the popular, $13,990 Getz was always going to be sad, effectively the i20-Accent-Elantra-i30 lineup leaves Hyundai very handily placed with compact and small cars priced between $15,490 and $30,000.
Especially when you consider word from Korea is the all-new i30 (due next year) will be larger than the current model…well, looks like Hyundai has it well and truly sorted.
Hyundai Accent Overview
Where does Hyundai gets these names and “I’s” from? Actually it’s simple as vehicles with “i” (i20, i30, ix35, i45 and upcoming i40 Tourer) are targeted at global markets, while those with names (Accent, Elantra, Santa Fe and upcoming Veloster) are primed for North America (where Hyundai is going gangbusters and likely to sell around 500,000 vehicles this year).
Value-for-money is the strong suit of the all-new Hyundai Accent. Plus it’s safe, drives nicely and delivers the latest Hyundai style inside and out, hatchback or sedan.
Car Showroom put the all-new Hyundai Accent through its paces over city and suburban roads around Sydney’s lower north shore. While our high-speed mountain roads test loop will have to wait until we have an Accent for week in Melbourne, the reality is the roads selected for the national media launch represent the sort of conditions most Hyundai Accents will tackle every day of the week.
The full range is:
Hatchback and Sedan Active Elite Premium
Five-speed manual $16,990 $18,490 $20,990 (hatch only)
Four-speed auto $18,990 $20,490 $22,990
Hyundai Accent Engine
All-new Hyundai Accent is powered by Hyundai’s all-alloy, 1.6-litre ‘Gamma’ petrol engine which delivers 91kW at 6300rpm and peak torque of 156Nm at 4,200rpm. Drive is to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic with sequential manual mode – both designed and manufactured by Hyundai.
The Gamma engine employs CVVT (continuous variable valve timing) and returns combined cycle fuel consumption of 6.0l/100kms (manual) or 6.4l/100kms (automatic).
All-new Hyundai Accent compares favourably with, for example, Honda’s 1.5-litre Jazz/City models which deliver 88kW/145Nm.
Hyundai Accent The Interior
Climb behind the wheel of the all-new Hyundai Accent and there is an immediate impression of spaciousness – in fact Hyundai says the Accent provides best-in-class front head, leg and shoulder room. Initially we felt the front seats needed some more under-thigh support and the lack of reach adjustment would impair the driving position – but in fact a reasonable driving position was achieved plus the Hyundai Accent provided excellent all-round visibility.
There are the familiar Hyundai contemporary design cues – the Y-shaped dashboard, stylish steering wheel with chrome trim and remote control buttons and blue instrument illumination.
And there are the now expected high quality trim materials throughout the Hyundai Accent interior. Elite and Premium models gain metallic and piano-black trim finishes.
Rear seat accommodation is on par with others in this segment and the 60/40 split rear seat provides access to a large luggage area.
Premium models also secure proximity key entry, push-button start and the rear-view camera system which displays its image on an 8.4cm colour LCD screen housed within the interior rear-view mirror.
Hyundai Accent Exterior & Styling
All-new Hyundai Accent is the fourth model to headline the company’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design philosophy. And as with Elantra, i45 and ix35, the latest Accent is all about curves and swooping character lines – impressive for a compact hatch/sedan.
At the front, Hyundai’s hallmark hexagonal grille is surrounded by modern, wraparound lights housed in a two-piece black bezel (Elite and Active models score front fog lights too) and on top, the bold character lines of the bonnet deliver a strong overall look.
From the side, again like i45 and Elantra, Hyundai stylists have given the al-new Accent a thoroughly contemporary look accented by its bold side character lines and swooping roof.
At the rear, the look is clean and highlighted by the sedan’s wraparound rear lights and stacked light design for the hatchback.
Hyundai Accent On The Road
Hyundai engineers are becoming frequent Australian visitors during prototype development. Like the Elantra, the all-new Hyundai Accent benefits from local testing with unique tune for rear struts and springs and the front struts as well as the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS).
Hyundai Accent runs a MacPherson strut front end/coupled torsion beam rear and a new H-Frame chassis for extra stiffness.
And Hyundai says the Accent is the first vehicle in its segment to come with Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) where the central ECU integrates electronic stability control, traction control, ABS anti-lock brakes and the power steering. This co-ordination means in emergency situations, even torque and steering weight is adjusted to help drivers’ responses.
As mentioned, our drive route was city and suburban roads around Sydney’s lower north shore. In the environment in which most Hyundai Accents will live their days, acceleration was lively enough, road-holding was good and refinement levels were impressive.
We certainly rate the Hyundai Accent highly for its chassis balance and suspension compliance – in fact the chassis out-gunned the 1.6-litre engine somewhat, so we will be curious to see how the upcoming gasoline direct injection (GDI) power plant stacks-up.
Hyundai Accent Challenges
It’s hard to criticize the Hyundai Accent at these prices. If pushed, we would like cruise control and reach adjustment for the steering wheel, but really these quibbles are overshadowed by positives like its standard six airbags and five-star ANCAP safety.
Hyundai Accent The Competition
The all-new Kia Rio will be launched within a couple of weeks so we’re ruling out the current model awaiting our drive of the latest range.
Ford’s Fiesta and Focus remain the benchmarks in this league – five-door Fiesta starts at $16,990 but both Fords get pricey as they head upscale in the model range.
Honda Jazz and City present as direct rivals for the Hyundai Accent. Nice Honda quality, but the 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre engines are outgunned by the Hyundai Accent which is also in front in the value-for-money stakes.
Mazda2 is out-powered by Hyundai Accent’s 1.6-litre engine, is pricier and a tad squeezier inside. But it’s sharp on-road dynamics score points.
Nissan Tiida’s 1.8-litre engine delivers plenty of grunt while the Micra is underdone in comparison, but very keenly priced (albeit it’s smaller than the Hyundai Accent).
Hyundai Accent Verdict
Nice work Hyundai. The all-new Hyundai Accent joins the i20, i30 and Elantra in forming a formidable compact/small car lineup.
Like its siblings, the Hyundai Accent delivers considerable car for your coin, wrapped in a very slick modern design and high-standard interior.
Hyundai Accent Pros:
Nice looks; value; safety
Hyundai Accent Cons:
Needs reach-adjustable steering wheel and cruise control
