Hyundai Accent 2011 Review

Name: Hyundai Accent 2011 Review
Brand: Hyundai

The latest Hyundai to wear the Accent name is no longer just a shopping trolley

Hyundai Accent hatch and sedan

Local launch
Sydney, NSW

What we liked
>> Attractive styling
>> Segment-stretching roominess
>> Sensible blend of fuel economy and comfort

Not so much
>> Market perception that it's short a gear?
>> Cheap headlining
>> Accent Active appears Spartan

See more photos of the new Hyundai Accent

OVERVIEW
-- Accent hits the market right between the 'i'-s
The Hyundai Accent is a new car bearing an old name. Those with long memories may recall that in Australia the original Hyundai Accent replaced the third-generation Excel in 2000 — a couple of years before the importer introduced the original Getz. In markets overseas, the car we knew as the Excel was also marketed as Accent… Thus it's a name of quite long standing in the global history of the Hyundai brand.

This latest car is significantly larger and fills a barely visible crack in the range between the smaller i20 and the larger i30. Depending on one's point of view, it's an economy car with plenty of kit, or a well-rounded small car that's easy and practical to use in the city and suburbs.

Whatever the case, it straddles the light and small-car segments. Hyundai has chosen to revive the Accent name for this model rather than an i-prefixed alphanumeric code because the parent company and its outliers around the world have changed their model naming strategy.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

-- Plenty of gear, for a buying price below $17K
For a lot of prospective buyers, it won't matter that the Accent is not a direct competitor for 1.8 and 2.0-litre small cars. All they'll see is small-car packaging — and plenty of equipment at a downright affordable price.

That, of course, is measured against the larger cars with the bigger engines. The disparity is not quite as great in comparison with the light segment cars that are its natural rivals, although the Accent remains a solid competitor in the lower-priced segment also, thanks to its comprehensive spec list.

The Accent range comprises three levels of trim and two body styles: hatch and sedan. Starting at $16,990, the entry-level Accent Active provides the buyer with remote central locking, tilt-adjustable steering, trip computer, electric mirrors/windows, a four-speaker audio system with USB/Aux/iPod compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, 60/40 splitfold rear seating and 14-inch steel wheels. For a further $2000 ($18,990), the base-grade Accent can be ordered with a four-speed automatic transmission in lieu of the standard five-speed manual.

Occupying the mid-range position, the Accent Elite is priced just $1500 higher than the Accent Active —$18,490 for the manual variants — and comes with premium steering wheel/gear knob/centre console, piano black/chrome decorative trim, front fog lights, four-speaker audio with two tweeters, luggage hook/net and 16-inch alloys; all fitted as standard. Automatic transmission is also available as an option, again raising the overall purchase price of the car by $2000 — to $20,490.

As the flagship of the range, the Accent Premium is priced at $20,990 for the manual hatch or $22,990 for the two auto variants; there's no manual variant available as a Premium sedan. The Accent Premium adds to the Accent Elite specification standard 'leatherette' trim, climate control, premium instrument cluster, Rear Park Assist, electrochromatic mirror, reversing camera and keyless push-button starting.

MECHANICAL
-- Conventional mechanicals — for now
Codenamed 'Gamma', the 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that powers all variants in the new Accent range drives through a standard five-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic to the front wheels.

It's a largely conventional engine that produces 91kW and 156Nm, although the powerplant does boast continuously variable valve timing to ensure the torque curve is relatively flat across the rev range. This complements the vehicle's gearing, weight and aerodynamic drag for a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100km (manual) or 6.4L/100km (auto).

Hyundai plans to introduce a direct-injected petrol engine and a common-rail diesel to the local Accent range before the end of the year. It's likely at that time Hyundai will also offer the cars with upgraded (read: six-speed) transmissions.

MacPherson struts uphold the front end and a torsion beam axle keeps the rear from dragging along the road. Steering is an electrically -assisted rack-and-pinion setup and brakes comprise ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear.

Hyundai has put in place local testing and tuning to ensure the Accent's suspension and steering traits meet the standards demanded by Australian consumers and motoring media.

PACKAGING
-- Big enough to be small?
The Accent is the latest in a line of Light segment cars that are impinging on small-car territory. In other words, this is a car that's relegated to the shopping trolley category, but is closer to second-string family car in size; it's a car that will carry kids as well as the shopping. To us, it's a car that would entice retirees too; at the same time, not a car that shouts "I'm cheap".

There's one reason why Hyundai would be happy for the Accent to remain in the light-car segment — its 1.6-litre engine. Most small cars are powered by engines displacing at least 1.8-2.0 litres. As you'll read below, the Accent doesn't feel short of breath for performance, but small-car buyers do often judge a vehicle by its on-paper specs, including power and torque.

One of the reasons we feel the old folks will go for the Accent is its mix of styling, comfort and build quality. As a whole, the Accent's fit and finish set a high standard for the segment, exemplified by the doors that closed securely with little effort, although the headlining was unlikely to win awards for design or tactile properties. It's the dreary old moulded cardboard with a woven pattern — that 21st Century answer to dimpled vinyl. To the Accent's credit, switchgear such as the indicator stalk feels nice to the touch. There's no cheap and nasty click-clack operation.

Plastics were soft and thick where they should be. The decorative trim in the Accent Active was a painted plastic in a light metallic grey finish. For the Elite and Premium levels of trim, the look moved upmarket with a mix of chrome and piano black finishes.

Arguably the entry-level Accent Active's interior might benefit with a hint of chrome for the gearknob, to use one example. Without that the Accent Active's interior borders on bland, even by the standards of a $16,990 car.

There's one thing about the disconnect between the interior style of the base-grade Accent and the pairing of the mid-range model with the flagship… Buyers lobbing at a Hyundai dealership drawn in by the sub-$17k price will soon be talked into one of the upmarket variants by any smart salesperson.

Rear interior accommodation was up to standard for adults, although a little more room under the front seats to stretch out and wriggle the toes would have been welcome. Luggage capacity in both hatch and sedan approaches that of some small cars and the sedan's volume (465 litres) is just two litres short of the Honda City's — the leader in the class.

According to Hyundai, the Accent is the leading car in the light segment for front-seat accommodation; measured as headroom, leg and shoulder room.

SAFETY
-- VSM guides active safety in a new direction
According to local crash-safety testing authority, ANCAP, the Accent is a five-star car. To achieve that result, it features as standard six airbags (front, side-impact and side curtain) plus Vehicle Stability Management (VSM).

Hyundai's staff present for the local launch of the new car emphasised that VSM is more than just a stability control system. A central processing unit monitors inputs from the car's various electronic safety aids and regulates braking and steering in the event of an emergency to avoid a crash. The car's stability control, traction control and antilock brakes are coordinated by the one CPU, in conjunction with the electric steering system.

As Hyundai explains it, VSM varies the level of assistance to the steering, thus guiding the driver in the course of avoiding a crash.

COMPETITORS
-- Ground-floor Accent is a winner for value
Hyundai has pitched the Accent at the sub-$17,000 crowd, but that's really a distraction. The importer wants your business if you're in the market for a reasonably sophisticated car above that price. Frankly, the mid-level Accent Elite seems like the car to have in this range. It's only $1500 more than the Accent Active, but it offers substantially more appeal.

At $16,990, the base model Accent Active is priced lineball with the Ford Fiesta CL manual and the Honda Jazz GLi manual. It, and the Ford and Honda, are more expensive than basic Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris, but the Accent is ahead of everything else for value.

It lacks the Fiesta's knee airbag for the driver, but has rear disc brakes, for instance. While the Fiesta otherwise comes closest to giving the Accent a run for its money, it lacks the Hyundai's rear power windows, but has voice control.

Rivals from Japan in this end of the market segment are generally powered by smaller-capacity engines, which would normally prove handy for lower fuel consumption. In practice, only the 1.3-litre Honda Jazz uses less fuel than the Accent in combined-cycle testing. The 1.5-litre Mazda2 uses more fuel and the 1.3-litre Toyota Yaris uses the same.

Other cars that would compare with the Accent — in one way or another — include the Holden Barina, Nissan Micra and Suzuki Swift. Kia has a new Rio on the way and we've already driven it for the local launch, so keep posted. That car, however, is closer to Hyundai's own i20 — which could also be said to compete with the Accent at a pinch. As for most of the Accent's rivals already mentioned however, the i20 is powered by a smaller engine.

Some of the up-market Accent variants will be cross-shopped against more expensive variants of the cars already listed, but also, as noted above, the Accent will undoubtedly provide a serious contest in any comparison with some of the more affordable small cars in the market.

ON THE ROAD
-- Harbour city drive not so enlightening
Hyundai's drive program for the Accent was confined to Sydney's metropolitan environs. There was little opportunity to assess the Accent for its dynamics, so a better appreciation of the Accent's cornering and braking will need to wait for a seven-day test.

What impressions could be gained were positive overall. Handling seemed lively and turn-in was as responsive as we've come to expect of better-bred light cars. The steering was well-weighted to meet the needs of the different drivers likely to buy the Accent, and there was laudable feedback through the wheel.

One journalist complained of vagueness at the straight-ahead, but the only concern for this writer was an apparent reluctance for the entry-level Accent Active's steering wheel to centre by itself. The base-grade Accent was also a little noisy on its 14-inch wheels. Contrary to expectations the Accent Premium on its 16-inch alloys seemed to ride well, without detriment to handling, as far as could be discerned.

All three Accent variants rode a little firmly, but that's the downside of better cornering ability. The specification of tyres made up the difference between the variants over smaller-amplitude bumps in the road surface.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine makes optimal use of the CVVT (Continuous Variable Valve Timing) system and its undersquare design (narrower bore, longer stroke) to deliver useful torque clear across the rev range. It will ease away from a start with judicious use of the clutch and just 1500rpm in hand, but will also pull strongly higher into the rev range.

By the standards of light cars, it's not a ‘thrashy’ sort of engine, but most drivers will be content to change up a gear at 5000rpm or earlier. Developed in-house by Hyundai, the five-speed manual transmission is pleasant to use, with a light shift action that's in harmony with clutch take-up and throttle response for smooth gear changes.

If there's one bullet can't Hyundai can't dodge with this transmission, it will be shot by those wanting a sixth gear. While a six-speeder might be a premium feature in a car at this price level, it's only a matter of time before six-speed manuals become commonplace in this market segment. While the Accent is perfectly acceptable around town with the five-speed box, an extra ratio would confer improved touring ability, with lower drivetrain noise, lower fuel consumption and longer range at open-road speeds.

The four-speed auto suffers from the same objections as the manual; it could do with another ratio, if only to placate those consumers who won't drive anything with less than five forward gears.

That said, the four-speed unit is a competent transmission that shifted smoothly and without hesitation during the drive, which was altogether too brief. Thanks in no small part to the engine, the Accent Premium sedan with the auto would get off to a fairly fast start too.

Fuel consumption in the urban environment, and according to each car's trip computer, was 8.2L/100km for the Accent Elite manual hatch, or 8.3L/100km for the Accent Premium auto sedan.

In the driving position seats were generally comfortable and supportive, and there was a clear view of the instruments through the steering wheel, including the easy-to-use trip computer readout.

Barely 40km of Sydney traffic is hardly enough to say for certain that the Accent will kick goals for Hyundai, but that's the distinct impression we're left with from the short exposure to the new model.

If there's one particular word of advice to offer would-be buyers it's this: if you can, take both the Accent and a competitor known for its dynamic ability for a drive in the country before you sign on the dotted line.

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Hyundai Accent 2011 Review

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