Car Test
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R0303 | |
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January 2003 |
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| First Drive | Hyundai Accent | |
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model: Revised 5door | |
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The arrival of the Getz supermini has induced Hyundai to re-align the market positioning and scope of its Accent range. Gone are the three-door and lower-spec versions – it’s GSi and CDX only, in four or five-door guise from now on.
In fact, the ‘carry-over’ GSi five-door emerges as the best value in the new line-up, and you can have it with the latest 16-valve, 1.6 litre engine now, as well. So, £9200 (£300 less than the previous 1.5/88bhp CDX) gives you 104bhp and a very respectable list of standard equipment, including ABS, a split/fold back seat and even alloy wheels. The only significant omission is a sunroof or air conditioning – neither is available as an option. The CDX adds a significant £1800 to the price, but this has air-con plus foglamps, electric door mirrors, all painted mirrors/door handles, side airbags to augment the front pair and even lower profile tyres. So much for the new prices and spec, but how do the cars drive? This latest 1.3 seemed smoother and quieter than the version we tested two years ago, but both can cruise along at 30 or 70mph in top without fuss. Obviously, press-on types will appreciate the rortier, bigger engine’s responsive acceleration, but somehow, the Accent isn’t the sort of car you want to exploit – the 1.3 cruises very nicely. Bump reaction is a shade more abrupt on the latest lower-profile tyres, the steering lacks pin-sharp precision and the gearchange is still rather clunky, changing down. The driving position is satisfactory, but lumbar and cushion height/tilt adjusters on the CDX could be an important asset for some drivers; both models have precise stalks, clear dials and an ideally placed left footrest, however. Rear leg and kneeroom are limited compared with most lower-medium family cars, but the load space is generous enough and nicely trimmed. Is the Accent a good value alternative alongside rivals like the Xsara, Focus, Astra and Corolla? Hyundai’s main problem nowadays is that the size of the cheque that many buyers sign is significantly less than the list price. This has effectively eroded the price advantage of the Hyundai, bought from a main dealer, where discounts are a lot smaller. On the other hand, Hyundai has built a reputation for superior reliability compared with some European brands and because of this it’s now leading the field in offering a full five-year warranty – an industry first. |
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