It might come as a surprise to pistonheads who live and breathe buffcar magazine lore, that there are legions of people out there to whom 0-60
times, and sports-tuned suspensions mean absolutely nothing. Which is not to say that these people don't care about what theydrive. Far from it. For a lot of people, a new car is one of the biggest purchases they'll ever make. So, factors like value, customer support, quality, economy and comfortare really important.
And even though they would never consider themselves enthusiasts,there are a lot of people who actually like their cars, nicknaming them, personalizing them with decorations and regarding them as a lot morethan mere driving appliances. They want looks and comfort, even on a tightbudget.
It is exactly this kind of car owner who would appreciate the newHyundai Accent. For a base price of just $13,495, the Accent is proof thateconomical doesn't have to mean cheap.
At last year's press launch of the new Sonata, Hyundai Canadapresident Steve Kelleher talked about the company's goal of becoming one of the
top five automakers within the next few years. A lofty goal indeed - but thecompany seems to be moving towards it in leaps and bounds given the success oftheir recent releases. Their proposed method of achieving that goal is toproduce cars that people can afford, with reliability that will keep themcoming back. All Hyundais are sold loaded, and with great warranties to get theidea across to the buyer that they can be economical without cutting corners.Recent J.D. Power studies reveal that Hyundai moved from 11th position in 2005to 3rd in 2006 for Initial Quality, acheived a 31% improvement over its 2004ranking for vehicle dependability ( but still ranks slightly below industryaverage for long-term dependability, which may change once the new releasesstart to age).
The Accent has been in production for over 12 years - this being thethird generation. The new 2007 hatchback has a far more hip and youthful look thanprevious models.
For starters - the car's profile has been modernized - it's asporty, good looking hatch, similar in profile to the Mazda3 or earlier CivicDX hatchback. The swooping rooflinefinishes in a jaunty, uplifted spoiler, beneath which are large euro-styletaillights. The Accent GS Premium testmodel came in head-turning red - the same paint sported by the exoticallyeuro-looking Tiburon Tuscani I'd driven the week before. Side mirrors and doorhandles are body coloured and there are cool side markers above the frontwheels. Headlights are much larger, the grill more refined with fogs integratedin the lower air dam and without the squinting Pickachou look of the earliermodels.
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| (Photo: Lesley Wimbush) |
And even though they would never consider themselves enthusiasts,there are a lot of people who actually like their cars, nicknaming them, personalizing them with decorations and regarding them as a lot morethan mere driving appliances. They want looks and comfort, even on a tightbudget.
It is exactly this kind of car owner who would appreciate the newHyundai Accent. For a base price of just $13,495, the Accent is proof thateconomical doesn't have to mean cheap.
At last year's press launch of the new Sonata, Hyundai Canadapresident Steve Kelleher talked about the company's goal of becoming one of the
 |
| (Photo: Lesley Wimbush) |
The Accent has been in production for over 12 years - this being thethird generation. The new 2007 hatchback has a far more hip and youthful look thanprevious models.
 |
| (Photo: Lesley Wimbush) |