The new HyundaiAccent is really nothing like the car we saw being dumped into Mzansi during the mid-1990s. For oneit’s got style. Secondly, it actually doesn’t feel like it will fall apart within the next 5 kilometres. Thirdly, so packed withfeatures is the Accent that you could mistake it for a movie theatre.
Designed in the mould of other new Hyundais – clear convex and concave lines, strong frontgrille, coupe-like fastback, andlarge lights, both front and rear, it gives some sort of class to a rather dullsegment. Quite attractive for a reasonably-priced family sedan. The only thingstanding between it and a Red Dotdesign award are those 5.5JX14 steelrims with matching 175/70 R14 tyres.But then again, this is not a premium executive sedan, although you’d beforgiven to think it was from all the features.
To put you in the picture, Accent competes with cars likethe Volkswagen Polo Sedan, ToyotaYaris sedan and Ford Fiesta sedan among others. Choose one of these, or theAccent. Should you go with the Koreans, here’s what’s in store for you.
A new 1.6-litre,4-cylinder engine with natural aspiration is used. It features an aluminiumblock and 16 valves. With 91kW made at6300rpm and 156Nm at 4200rpm, it hasa little spark under the proverbial belly, but not quite enough to light acandle, let alone start a veld fire. Drive is via the front wheels, actuated bya 5-speed manual gearbox. The gear leverfeels sporty, thus encouraging shifts all the time. With a 43 litre fuel tank, one expects good returns at the pumps. Hyundai claimsan average of 6.1 litres per 100km,suited by a C02 figure of 145 g/km. Asfar as performance, 0 – 100km/h is stated as 10.2 seconds but I suspect itwould take just a little longer.
I understand the family /fleet car angle but a little bit ofsteering feel would be welcome. Driving it around the Gauteng area was notparticularly challenging, but it did peel off some indications as to everyday suitability. Undulated surfaces don’t feel so bad, although crosswinds tend to affect the car more than what I’d considernormal. Those McPherson type strutswith stabilisers, coil springs and gas shock absorbers though, are majorcontributors to the high comfort levels.
So do the seats, which although aren’t leather but cloth, are lovely to sit on. Multi-adjustable too, for extra comfort. Even taller drivers willfind a good sitting position. The interior is fresh, reflecting on the exteriorin terms of the shapes found on the dashboard.At 4.3 metres long and 1.7m wide, theAccent is the largest car in its class, translating to being the most spaciousas well.
Some standard features across the range include manual air conditioning, four speakers, powersteering, front electric windows, and a trip meter among others. The two more expensive models, GLS manual and GLS automatic, also feature rear park assist,rear automatic windows, a Bluetoothaudio system and others. Although there is a boot release lock on the floor nearthe driver’s door, there isn’t one under the boot lid itself. So you either usethe release or the key to open. That’s so 1999!
Regardless, this is going to be yet another hit for Hyundai,one that represents the second-last block in the product lineup refresher phase. Major operator Avis isbuying 8000 Accents in 2012. Other possiblefleet buyers include various governmentdepartments. Who would have thought that our government would one day buyHyundais?
2011Hyundai Accent Pricing
GL manual (R146 900)
GLS manual (R156 900)
GLS auto (R167 900)
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