2012 Hyundai Accent
Matt: Hit. A total hit. Ah yes, the Accent. For a few years now, I've been saying that small cars were on their way and that they will be cool and desirable. Thank you Hyundai for proving me right. The new Accent, hatchback and sedan, are now in direct competition with the Ford Fiesta. The engine is more powerful, the cabin is as hip and we'll see about the drive. If the Elantra is any indication, it should be good.
Lesley: Hit. Another great little hatchback! Are car makers finally getting the message that we North Americans really want good hatchbacks, and aren't simply settling for crappy ones out of economic desperation? The Accent has evolved from a cheap, vaguely rounded and largely forgettable runabout, to the handsome, sharp-edged "fluidic sculpture" themed design that worked so well on the successful Sonata and newly introduced Elantra. Proving that frugal doesn't have to mean frumpy, the Accent promises class-leading fuel economy 4.7L/100 km on the highway… with the same sticker price of the outgoing model.
Mike: Hit. Hyundai’s “Fluid Sculpture” design language lands on the automaker’s smallest North American vehicle line, and it’s a great fit. “Fluid Sculpture” looks almost too swoopy on the Sonata, but here it stretches the Accent out a bit, to make it look very non econ-box. And we expect Accent will continue the recent Hyundai theme of providing lots of value and refinement and fuel economy for the dollar.
2011 Kia Optima / Optima Hybrid
Matt: Hit. Call this one Kia's new home-run. I see a future where the Koreans will serve as inspiration to the Japanese and Americans, for both style and content. The new Optima and its non-identical twin, the Hyundai Sonata, are amongst the front-runners in the hotly contested midsize family car segment. I'm not just saying that; when was the last time you heard a 30-something say: “I'd love an Accord or a Camry!”? Where the Optima is concerned, if Kia can supply the demand, it should move.
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| 2012 Hyundai Accent (Photo: Michael Wong) |
Matt: Hit. A total hit. Ah yes, the Accent. For a few years now, I've been saying that small cars were on their way and that they will be cool and desirable. Thank you Hyundai for proving me right. The new Accent, hatchback and sedan, are now in direct competition with the Ford Fiesta. The engine is more powerful, the cabin is as hip and we'll see about the drive. If the Elantra is any indication, it should be good.
Lesley: Hit. Another great little hatchback! Are car makers finally getting the message that we North Americans really want good hatchbacks, and aren't simply settling for crappy ones out of economic desperation? The Accent has evolved from a cheap, vaguely rounded and largely forgettable runabout, to the handsome, sharp-edged "fluidic sculpture" themed design that worked so well on the successful Sonata and newly introduced Elantra. Proving that frugal doesn't have to mean frumpy, the Accent promises class-leading fuel economy 4.7L/100 km on the highway… with the same sticker price of the outgoing model.
Mike: Hit. Hyundai’s “Fluid Sculpture” design language lands on the automaker’s smallest North American vehicle line, and it’s a great fit. “Fluid Sculpture” looks almost too swoopy on the Sonata, but here it stretches the Accent out a bit, to make it look very non econ-box. And we expect Accent will continue the recent Hyundai theme of providing lots of value and refinement and fuel economy for the dollar.
2011 Kia Optima / Optima Hybrid
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| 2011 Kia Optima / Optima Hybrid (Photo: Michael Wong) |
Matt: Hit. Call this one Kia's new home-run. I see a future where the Koreans will serve as inspiration to the Japanese and Americans, for both style and content. The new Optima and its non-identical twin, the Hyundai Sonata, are amongst the front-runners in the hotly contested midsize family car segment. I'm not just saying that; when was the last time you heard a 30-something say: “I'd love an Accord or a Camry!”? Where the Optima is concerned, if Kia can supply the demand, it should move.