BRAND NEW HYUNDAI ACCENT A SURE HIT

The new Hyundai Accent is really nothing like the car we saw being dumped into Mzansi during the mid-1990s. For one it’s got style. Secondly, it actually doesn’t feel like it will fall apart within the next 5 kilometres. Thirdly, so packed with features is the Accent that you could mistake it for a movie theatre.

Designed in the mould of other new Hyundais – clear convex and concave lines, strong front grille, coupe-like fastback, and large lights, both front and rear, it gives some sort of class to a rather dull segment. Quite attractive for a reasonably-priced family sedan. The only thing standing between it and a Red Dot design award are those 5.5JX14 steel rims with matching 175/70 R14 tyres. But then again, this is not a premium executive sedan, although you’d be forgiven to think it was from all the features.

To put you in the picture, Accent competes with cars like the Volkswagen Polo Sedan, Toyota Yaris sedan and Ford Fiesta sedan among others. Choose one of these, or the Accent. Should you go with the Koreans, here’s what’s in store for you.

A new 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder engine with natural aspiration is used. It features an aluminium block and 16 valves. With 91kW made at 6300rpm and 156Nm at 4200rpm, it has a little spark under the proverbial belly, but not quite enough to light a candle, let alone start a veld fire. Drive is via the front wheels, actuated by a 5-speed manual gearbox. The gear lever feels sporty, thus encouraging shifts all the time. With a 43 litre fuel tank, one expects good returns at the pumps. Hyundai claims an average of 6.1 litres per 100km, suited by a C02 figure of 145 g/km. As far as performance, 0 – 100km/h is stated as 10.2 seconds but I suspect it would take just a little longer.

I understand the family /fleet car angle but a little bit of steering feel would be welcome. Driving it around the Gauteng area was not particularly challenging, but it did peel off some indications as to everyday suitability. Undulated surfaces don’t feel so bad, although crosswinds tend to affect the car more than what I’d consider normal. Those McPherson type struts with stabilisers, coil springs and gas shock absorbers though, are major contributors to the high comfort levels.

So do the seats, which although aren’t leather but cloth, are lovely to sit on. Multi-adjustable too, for extra comfort. Even taller drivers will find a good sitting position. The interior is fresh, reflecting on the exterior in terms of the shapes found on the dashboard. At 4.3 metres long and 1.7m wide, the Accent is the largest car in its class, translating to being the most spacious as well.

Some standard features across the range include manual air conditioning, four speakers, power steering, front electric windows, and a trip meter among others. The two more expensive models, GLS manual and GLS automatic, also feature rear park assist, rear automatic windows, a Bluetooth audio system and others. Although there is a boot release lock on the floor near the driver’s door, there isn’t one under the boot lid itself. So you either use the release or the key to open. That’s so 1999!

Regardless, this is going to be yet another hit for Hyundai, one that represents the second-last block in the product lineup refresher phase. Major operator Avis is buying 8000 Accents in 2012. Other possible fleet buyers include various government departments. Who would have thought that our government would one day buy Hyundais?

2011 Hyundai Accent Pricing

GL manual (R146 900)

GLS manual (R156 900)

GLS auto (R167 900)