Good handling, but the engine, however...
The Cataraqui Trail, a twisty and sinuous 20-kilometer stretch of road that Hyundai made us discover, is a fabulous location for evaluating the handling of a car. On this road, the Accent amazed me. Behind the wheel
of a 5-speed GS Premium model, I was eating up the curves and hills with a large smile on my face. The steering is precise, the brakes are powerful, and the clutch is easy to manipulate. The GS Sport, with a 24% stiffer suspension and larger tires, provides even sportier handling.
The engine is not as impressive. Without being lethargic, it seemed to quickly run out of breath, despite its 110 horsepower. Maybe the power and torque curves aren't as linear as those in competitors' cars. I had to think twice before passing slower vehicles on the country roads. 0 to 100 km/h acceleration with the 5-speed should be approximately 12-seconds.
The shift lever had, let's say, a rubbery feel to it, but does the job anyhow. Above 3,500 rpm, the 4-cylinder becomes noisy. At 120 km/h with the manual gearbox, engine speed is about 3,700 rpm, and its sound becomes tiresome. At the same speed with an automatic-equipped car, engine speed is about 3,000 rpm, and it's much quieter in the cabin. But in general, the Accent's powertrain is efficient, and fuel economy is improved over the previous generation.
Accent SR coming soon
Because the Accent SR Concept was popular at the 2005 Frankfurt show,
Hyundai announced that it will produce an SR version for next September. A Canada-exclusive model, the Accent SR will be equipped with a bunch of accessories that should please those who like small cars with hot looks. Including anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, six airbags, a sunroof, a ground-effects body kit with fender flares, 17-inch wheels with P215/45R17 tires, a chrome exhaust tip and special trim on the inside, the Accent SR will be available in three colours: black, red and silver. Pricing has not yet been announced.
Conclusion
The Accent GS has a very interesting base price of $13,495. It's not
expensive, since it offers comfort and a ride which is just as pleasing as in more-expensive rivals. The GS Sport, with its list of equipment, seems to be a steal at $16,195.
It's sad that Hyundai won't offer a 5-door Accent for 2007, since that's what the competition offers. It might a purchase factor that will turn customers away from the Accent Hatchback, but otherwise, the Yaris and Fit will soon see a larger-than-life little Hyundai coming up in the rear view mirror.
The Cataraqui Trail, a twisty and sinuous 20-kilometer stretch of road that Hyundai made us discover, is a fabulous location for evaluating the handling of a car. On this road, the Accent amazed me. Behind the wheel
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| 2007 Hyundai Accent Hatchback (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com) |
The engine is not as impressive. Without being lethargic, it seemed to quickly run out of breath, despite its 110 horsepower. Maybe the power and torque curves aren't as linear as those in competitors' cars. I had to think twice before passing slower vehicles on the country roads. 0 to 100 km/h acceleration with the 5-speed should be approximately 12-seconds.
The shift lever had, let's say, a rubbery feel to it, but does the job anyhow. Above 3,500 rpm, the 4-cylinder becomes noisy. At 120 km/h with the manual gearbox, engine speed is about 3,700 rpm, and its sound becomes tiresome. At the same speed with an automatic-equipped car, engine speed is about 3,000 rpm, and it's much quieter in the cabin. But in general, the Accent's powertrain is efficient, and fuel economy is improved over the previous generation.
Accent SR coming soon
Because the Accent SR Concept was popular at the 2005 Frankfurt show,
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| 2007 Hyundai Accent SR (Photo: Hyundai Canada) |
Conclusion
The Accent GS has a very interesting base price of $13,495. It's not
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| 2007 Hyundai Accent Hatchback (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com) |
It's sad that Hyundai won't offer a 5-door Accent for 2007, since that's what the competition offers. It might a purchase factor that will turn customers away from the Accent Hatchback, but otherwise, the Yaris and Fit will soon see a larger-than-life little Hyundai coming up in the rear view mirror.
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