Hyundai debuts all-new Accent and Santa Fe

Hyundai has continued its rapid model renewal cycle announcing two new models this week. The new cars, the Accent small car and Santa Fe mid-size SUV were unveiled to the Australian motoring press in New Zealand yesterday.

The Accent arrives in two versions, a three-door hatch and four-door sedan. It will be priced from $15,990 for the three-door manual hatch. The sedan kicks off at $17,490 with automatic transmission a $2000 option on both variants.

The car is powered by an uprated version of Hyundai’s proven 1.6-litre  DOHC 16-valve Alpha four now fitted with CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing). Maximum power is 82kW at 6000rpm with torque up to 145Nm at 4500rpm.

Hyundai claims the new Accent boasts better driving dynamics thanks to “transmission improvements, new and tauter suspension with sharper steering and in the manual, lower gearing for sporty acceleration.”

The maker also claims fuel economy is “markedly improved.” Hyundai says the manual sedan and hatch return combined stats of 6.8lt/100km and 7.0lt/100km respectively. Autos are around 0.3lt/100km thirstier.

Standard safety features include four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD, upgrade crash and pedestrian-friendly front-end structure, dual airbags and front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load-limiters.

The Accent also boasts improved levels of finish and equipment.

The new Santa Fe has grown in both size and equipment levels. Hyundai claims the new wagon – now with an 80mm longer wheelbase and 175mm longer overall – has the credentials to challenge segment leaders, Ford Territory and Toyota Kluger. And yes, it will offer a seven-seat version.

Powered by a new Mu variant of Hyundai’s 2.7-litre all-alloy V6 equipped with both CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing) and VIS (Variable Intake System), the Santa Fe is, however, down on power compared to its stated competition. Peak power is just 138kW at 6000rpm with 248Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

By way of compensation, Hyundai claims the vehicle leads the medium petrol SUV class in fuel economy and is the only vehicle in segment rated at less than 11lt/100km (manual 10.4, auto 10.6).

A turbodiesel version featuring a common-rail, direct-injection, 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine will be offered later this year.

The new Santa Fe features an electronically-controlled part-time AWD system with lock mode for very slippery conditions. Transmission is a choice of four-speed auto or five-speed manual.

The Santa Fe is priced from $35,990 for the manual five-seater. The top of the range Santa Fe Elite auto is positioned at $42,990.

CarPoint will publish full launch reviews of the new Hyundai Accent and Santa Fe later this week.