Hyundai Accent 2011 review

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.

Value

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.

Technology

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.

Design

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.

Safety

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.

Driving

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.

Verdict

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.