2011 Hyundai Accent Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the first, second and third generation Hyundai Accent from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 as a used buy.

Hyundai Accent arrived in Australia in June 2000 to replace the extremely successful Hyundai Excel. Hyundai attempted to push it a bit more upmarket than the Excel and that included a price rise that took it out of the cheap-and-cheerful category. The lower cost Hyundai Getz also stole sales from Accent.So sales of the Accent have never been as high as the Korean importers planned, but there are plenty on the used-car market and if you shop around there are some excellent buys out there.Hyundai’s build quality, which was a bit hit-and-miss in the company’s earlier years, had improved noticeably and the Accent benefited from being an all-new design. The later the car you buy the better it’s likely to be. The main structure of the Accent generally holds up well when subjected to the rigours of rough Aussie roads. Anything that squeaks and/or rattles, particularly inside the cabin, during your test drive should be treated with suspicion.There's good interior room in this small-medium Hyundai and buyers with pre-teen children can use the Accent as a full family car. The boot is roomy and easy to use and has a good shape that’s reasonably easy to load.Hyundai's Accent has good handling and the feel through the steering is better than average for an Asian import. There's some understeer if you push hard but the car is reasonably neutral until then. A good set of tyres can markedly improve things in the handling department and won’t set you back a huge amount of money.Model choices are quite limited because slow sales meant that the upmarket Accent hatchbacks, and all sedan variants were pulled off the Australian market in 2002. The sedan made a return in May 2006 with the introduction of a virtually all-new Accent.In September 2003 the Accent received a facelift to move it away from the somewhat bland look of the original model. This facelifted version is more popular on the used scene and it’s worth paying the extra if you’re looking for a bit of pizzazz in an affordable car.At the time of the 2003 body revamp, the Accent’s engine was increased in size from 1.5 to 1.6 litres. Performance from the new 78 kW unit made the small-medium Hyundai reasonably zippy on the road. It’s still not really sporting, but the car became more pleasant to drive, with shorter overtaking distances and the ability to climb hills with fewer gearchanges.Gearbox options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic. This means it’s lagging behind more recent competitors with multi-speed manuals and autos. The manuals are generally good in their gearchanges but can bind up at times for no obvious reason. Automatics do sap a fair bit of engine power in a car of this size and are probably best left to those who do a lot of heavy-duty commuting in serious traffic.These days Hyundai is a fully established as part of the Australian automotive scene. The dealer network is large and widespread, though as is often the way in a car in this class, representation in the bush can be on the sparse side. We have heard of no real complaints about the cost of servicing or spare parts.The Accent is a simple design and has good underbonnet space, so it’s easy enough to work on. A lot of routine work can be done by a good home handyperson, though safety related items should be left to the professional. It’s always a good idea to have a workshop manual on hand before starting your own servicing and repair work.Insurance charges are moderate and there doesn’t appear to be a great deal of difference between companies as to the premiums they charge. Shop around but, as always, make sure you are doing a full apples-with-apples comparison before making your final choice.WHAT TO LOOK FORWe have seen Accents reach 200,000 km without any real problems. These cars had obviously been driven sensibly and serviced by the book - ask to see the full service records. Look over the interior, including the boot, for signs of rough usage. This may be a sign that other out of sight areas have also been mistreated.Rust isn't normally a problem, but look at all the lower body areas and around the front and rear windscreens to be safe. Any cars we have seen with rust in their bodies have been poorly repaired after crashes.Do an engine check for easy starting and smooth idling. Where possible this should be done with the engine cold, preferably after it has been sitting overnight.Feel for a manual gearbox that baulks during fast gear changes, especially during the three-two down change.Turn the steering wheel all the way from one side to the other whilst travelling at a very low speed and listen for clunking noises near the front wheels. These probably indicate the universal joints are worn.CAR BUYING TIPSellers will ask more for cars with a full service history, but it’s generally worth the extra outlay. Having paid the higher price it’s smart to keep its logbooks up to date. That way you can get most of your added investment back when it’s time to trade up. 

AFFORDABLE, practical, value for money and even fun aren't terms you'd aim at the baby end of the car market. Yet those definitions - and more - fit the Hyundai Accent better than a shoebox fits new shoes. Who will buy it? Anyone, it's that useable.The size fits any city carbay, the fuel economy is outstanding and the feature list - particularly handy stuff like Bluetooth and iPod connections - make it easier for us to cope with our fast lifestyles. But it's not just about the city. The inclusion of a full-size spare wheel - a commodity not even standard on Australia's "big six" cars - ensures it will cope with out-of-town adventures.Hyundai offer the Accent in three trim levels: Active ($16,990), Elite ($18,490) and Premium ($20,990) with an extra $2000 for the automatic. That puts it hard up against some equally serious players so Hyundai opens Santa's bag and drops in standard Bluetooth, full-size spare wheel, six airbags, iPod/USB connection, a five-star crash rating and a comprehensive vehicle stability management package.Pricing overlaps Hyundai's own i20 and i30 hatchbacks but the former isn't on par with the Accent's dynamics and the latter is ready for a replacement.Gee guys, how hard was this to design? It looks like a Canon photocopier took on an i30 hatch and set it to a 3 per cent reduction. Don't believe me? Get the calculator and make the comparison yourself. Actually, that's not a bad thing because the i30 has been the darling of the middle-class commuter set since it won Carsguide's Car of the Year in 2007.Accent comes as a hatch or sedan and looks good as either, streets ahead of its pregnant predecessor but not quite up to Elantra status. The shape boasts good cabin room, a very neat and workable dashboard and sensible fittings.The engine is the new-ish Gamma long-stroke 1.6-litre unit with a modest 91kW/156Nm output. Modest because the 91kW is available at 6500rpm - and you're never going to get to 6500rpm and survive with your licence intact - which equates to enduring a prolonged taser attack. But it has a linear torque spread - and needs it because the automatic transmission has only four cogs.Yes, there is a sequential shift mode so you can pick your own gear, but this box competes with the Ford Fiesta's slick six-speed unit. Otherwise, the Accent is beautifully simple to suit its role.The drivetrain may be unstartling but there is a lot to get excited about with the safety gear. The Accent gets a top-notch five-star rating, comes with electronic stability control (which is law from January 1), traction control, electronic brakeforce distribution and the latest anti-lock braking system.The umbrella system for all this is Hyundai's Vehicle Stability Management designed to automatically select the best electronic aids to suit any disaster. Or near disaster. Failing everything, there are als o six airbags.On paper it all looks so good. But the fly in the soup is the electric steering. Yes, it's wonderfully light at parking speeds so the muscle-challenged motorist can ease themselves into any carpark. But send this down a straight road at highway speeds and neighbouring motorists will think you've spent a hard afternoon at the bar. It is prone to wandering because, when the wheel is straight ahead, it has no assistance.A minor adjustment of the hand becomes a knee-jerk reaction from the awaken steering box, and then you have to correct by turning the other way and then back again and so on. That aside, it is comfortable - though there is some low-speed thump - and even enjoyable through winding roads. It is also very economical, surprisingly roomy and a doddle to park.This car makes so much sense it would make a perfect partner to that 4WD you have in the garage. And I know what I'd prefer to drive.

The sausage machine at Hyundai keeps on grinding them with the launch this week of a new Accent.It joins the new Elantra that went on sale a few weeks ago and is the second Hyundai model to get a name instead of a number.Confused?I am and I can only wonder what the man in the street must make of it all . . .To put things in perspective, models with a name like the Accent are targeted primarily at the North American market while those starting with the Applesque “i” are designed with Europe in mind.Lucky Oz gets to pick and chose which models it takes.In terms of size, the new Accent slots between the i20 and i30 models, but is available as both a sedan and hatch, powered by the same 1.6-litre four cylinder petrol engine.The hatch looks suspiciously like the i30 and doesn't appear to be that much smaller, but difference is likely to become greater with a new, larger i30 due early next year.Available in three grades; Active, Elite and Premium, the lineup is likely to change with the arrival later in the year of a 1.6-litre diesel and more powerful 1.6-litre GDI direct injection petrol engine.The latter is likely to power a sportier SR version of the car with an a body kit and the works. Disappointingly, at this stage, the choice is either five-speed manual or a pedestrian four speed auto (albeit a sequential).But this too could change with the introduction of a six-speed auto, probably at the same time the GDI gets here.The launch of the new Accent has also precipitated some changes to the i20 range which in future will be available only with a 1.4-litre engine.Prices for the new Accent start at $16,990 for the Active manual rising to $22,990 for the Premium auto (sedan and hatch are the same price).We were able to sample the manual hatch and automatic sedan at the launch in and around Sydney. Accent is a surprisingly impressive offering, maybe better than the best-selling Mazda2 which is starting to show its age.It looks smart, fit and finish is good, it's nice and quiet inside and is a snack to drive around town. For the time being at least the 1.6-litre engine is close to the most powerful in its class with 91kW of power and 156Nm of torque and fuel economy of 6.0 litres/100km.The manual change is slick and easy to use while the four-speed auto makes a fair fist of it, with the option of changing gears manually if you're looking for a little spark.The ride has benefited enormously from local tuning and this was particularly evident in the sedan which soaked up speed humps like they didn't exist.Rear legroom is good, the boot is generous and a full size spare is provided.We look forward to giving the Accent a more searching test drive later.Standard equipment includes Bluetooth and full iPod connectivity with AUX and USB inputs, along with steering wheel mounted controls for phone and audio.

BUYERS who think the i20 is too small and the slightly larger i30 is too big now have a compromise. Hyundai has shoehorned the new Accent in between the i20 and i30 in size, features and price. To see the three hatches on the road, it is difficult to pick them apart in size. But the Accent differentiates itself with a four-door sedan as well as a five-door hatch.Hyundai Australia boss Edward Lee says the Accent is the new premium model in the light-car segment. That comes as a bit of a surprise because the Accent - last available here from 2006-09 - was best know as cheap, reliable transport.Hyundai has taken the 1.6-litre engine out of the European-made i20 line-up and has priced the Korean-made 1.6-litre Accent range above the i20 and below the i30. Prices for the i20 range from $14,990 (drive away) to $16,490, while Accent prices start at $16,990 and end at $20,990, overlapping slightly with the i30 from $19,590. Roland Rivero senior manager product planning says the Accent comes in three trim levels - Active, Elite and Premium - which is consistent with all its new passenger vehicles.The Active comes standard with a trip computer, height-adjustable seat, iPod connectivity and 14-inch steel wheels with a full-size spare. The Elite ($18,490) adds a "premium" steering wheel and gear knob, piano black trim, front fog lamps and 16-inch alloys. Premium trim adds a reversing camera, leather trim, rear parking assist, auto climate control, push button start and keyless entry. The only factory option available is metallic paint.Hyundai says it is packed with technology and features, but a big let-down is there is no cruise control available yet. Rivero says are working on getting the must-have feature, but it will remain a big stumbling block for many buyers. There is also no diesel available yet, but Hyundai promises a 1.6-litre turbo diesel is coming. Rivero says we can expect to pay up to $2500 extra. There will also be a more powerful gasoline direct-injection (GDI) 1.6-litre model but also no word on when it will arrive.The only engine available now is the same 1.6-litre petrol engine from the i20 with 91kW of power and 150Nm of torque. Fuel economy is an acceptable 6L/100km in the five-speed manual which is better than the previous Accent at 7L/100km. There is also a four-speed torque-converter automatic with sequential shift available for an extra $2000.Rivero says the suspension has been tuned in Australia for our rough roads, a point Hyundai is keen to emphasise given criticism of the original suspension tuning on the i45 sedan and their commendable work to refine it.The hatch looks a little saggy in the bottom, but the sedan is quite attractive with a coupe-like swooping roof. This is Hyundai's fourth model in the "fluidic sculptured design" philosophy, featuring a hexagonal grille and curved headlamps that wrap around the front corners. The interior will look familiar to new Hyundai drivers with its curved dashboard, controls and blue illumination.Rivero says there are ample storage compartments for sunnies, CDs and phone, but there are no cupholders or door pockets in the rear. The boot has plenty of space in both the hatch and cavernous sedan, despite the fact that there is a full-size spare tyre under the floor. The 60-40 rear-fold seats add to the cargo versatility. The Accent is just 175mm longer and 10mm narrower than the i20 and 125mm shorter and 75mm narrower than the i30.Like all vehicles these days it has stability control, but this also comes with vehicle stability management which assists steering in low-grip situations. Basically it lightens the steering in the direction the driver should steer and it is the first vehicle in this segment with this feature. It also comes with six airbags as standard across the range including full-length curtain airbags to the rear seats. ANCAP this week announced the Accent had achieved a five-star safety rating.Despite the inspiring views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Sydney Harbour, the route for the launch was an uninspiring trip around the northern suburbs that left an uninspiring impression of the car. It may be a city car, but not being able to drive it above 80klm/h also leaves an incomplete impression of the vehicle. Not that the Hyundai put a wheel wrong.The handling and ride are fine for the potholed suburban streets and the engine is quiet with enough power for inner-city driving. The manual gearshift is light with a matching clutch and the four-speed auto is quick to respond with no indecisiveness. It is impossible to know if four gears are enough as we never hit the highway.Criticisms are the lack of steering feedback, no cruise control, no reach adjustability on the steering wheel and the low vision in the rear of the hatchback. Praise goes to the legroom in the rear.Hyundai has positioned it as a more premium package in the light-car segment, but it is still really just an affordable and honest, if uninspiring car. It will appeal for its style, reliability, refined and quiet petrol engine, and solid warranty.