Hyundai Accent 2014 Review
Hyundai has pruned its Accent small car range with the previous flagship Premium model being dropped due to its closeness in price to the slightly larger i30 model
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Though the automobile scene in Australia is replete with hatchbacks, SUVs and wagons, there are buyers who refuse to give the boot the boot. Some people, especially those of a certain age, favour the privacy and security of an enclosed lockable cargo space. As well as the extra strength provided by the bracing provided at the base of the rear window.
The latest manufacturer to embrace the separate cargo hold is Mitsubishi with a Mirage sedan. The new compact four-door sedan, the first in 18 years of the Mirage line-up, easily fits the bill with 450 litres of usable trunk space.
Rear seat passengers also benefit from 944mm of legroom, thanks to a generous 100mm extension of the wheelbase over the Mirage hatch. Front and rear track are wider, meaning more shoulder space.
The Mirage Sedan comes to the market in two variants – ES and LS – the former with a five-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission, the latter with CVT only.
Prices start at $14,490 for the ES manual and top out at $17,490 for the LS automatic.
DESIGN
The Mirage sedan joins the likes of the Toyota Yaris with its old-style sit-up-and-beg stance. Modern styling comes with a chrome grille and fog lamp surrounds, colour-coded power door mirrors and door handles, and a chrome plated boot lid garnish. Smart 15-inch wheels start things rolling.
Entry to the spacious well-equipped cabin of the LS (the test vehicle) is keyless and further nods to more expensive cars come with dusk sensing headlamps, rain sensing wipers and privacy glass. Air-conditioning is standard on Mirage ES Sedan, with climate control fitted to LS.
The LS features add further touches of quality with black embossed knit trim and chrome and silver accents. Power windows have driver’s side auto up and down.
Occupants need feel no isolation from the modern world with the Mirage sedan offering Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming and voice control along with steering wheel phone and audio controls. AM/FM CD player has USB input and four speakers.
An Eco display on the instrument panel tells the driver when he or she is driving economically. It all helps.
ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
As with many premium value vehicles, the Mitsubishi Mirage’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder 57 kW petrol engine is fired up by pushing a start/stop button on the dashboard.
Mirage sedan’s CVT automatic ratio mapping has been adjusted for increased engine braking over a wide vehicle speed range and an updated torque convertor lock-up strategy optimises fuel efficiency and drivability.
Pulling the gear lever beyond ‘D’ for drive and into ‘B’ induces light engine braking at high speed, helps with steep inclines and applies engine braking on steep downhill gradients.
SAFETY
A rigid body structure is augmented by a wide array of safety features. The sedan has six airbags – driver and passenger front, plus two side and two curtain airbags.
Active safety includes Active Stability Control, ABS anti-skid braking with Electronic Brake Distribution, Hill Start Assist on automatic models, and hydraulic Brake Assist.
It also gains Mitsubishi Motors’ Emergency Stop Signal, which flashes the hazard warning lights under heavy braking to alert vehicles behind.
DRIVING
Mirage dynamics have been completely re-tuned for the sedan, producing comfortable and predictable performance across a wide variety of road conditions Springs and dampers have been calibrated to match sedan body characteristics, which are designed to take extra weight in the rear.
Quiet cabin acoustics are the result of additional sound insulation in the front fenders, front and rear floor areas, A and C pillars, dash panel and front cowl top. A booted body is inherently quieter than a hatchback one.
Further improvements have been made with new engine mounts that minimise noise and vibration.
Indeed, the motor resorts to a raspy reply only when pushed around. Don’t expect acceleration to induce any form of driving exhilaration. It’s flat and frumpy. As always, while climate control air-con makes for a favourable cabin ambience.
Fuel consumption is put by Mitsubishi at 4.9L/100km on the combined urban/highway cycle. The test car used far more, ranging from 8L/100km to more than 10L/100km in town traffic, while on the motorway 4.8L/100km was the best attained.
A tight 9.6 metre turning circle and electric power steering, tuned for light steering around town, make parking a breeze, while front brake discs, increased to 355 mm compared to the hatch, and rear brake drums up to 203 mm adequately attend to stopping.
Vehicle | Specs | Price* | |
---|---|---|---|
ES | 1.2L, ULP, CVT AUTO | $5,060 – 7,480 | 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 2014 ES Pricing and Specs |
Sport | 1.2L, ULP, CVT AUTO | $5,720 – 8,030 | 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 2014 Sport Pricing and Specs |
LS | 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN | $4,840 – 7,150 | 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 2014 LS Pricing and Specs |
LS Pop Green Plus Pack | 1.2L, ULP, 5 SP MAN | $6,270 – 8,800 | 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 2014 LS Pop Green Plus Pack Pricing and Specs |
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