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Also, there isn't much markup on subcompacts, so the manufacturers have little incentive to sell them in large volumes.
Perhaps it's just paranoia based on demand. Perhaps the subcompacts haven't been selling well in your area at those dealerships, so the numbers are kept low - creating a lovely catch-22 effect. Where I am (San Jose), finding an xA isn't that difficult, and the Accent isn't that bad either. But finding an Elantra was much easier, and the local Toyota dealership had more Matrix's in stock.
As they say, your milage may vary.
BTW, is a 2007 Elantra with a 5-speed tranny, A/C and a reasonable stereo going to sell for around $14,000 or so?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I bet a base Elantra as you describe will be pretty close to $14k; the starting price on them is supposed to be "under $14k" but that is w/o destination. One change for '07 is that the base GLS doesn't have as much equipment as for '06; you will add option packages for things like all the power toys. But at least ABS and 6 airbags will be standard, and according to a note on hyundaiusa.com, ESC will be standard also (but I will believe that when I see it).
Look at the 2006 Accent...A decently equipped one ( and when I say decently equipped, all I mean is A/C and power) costs you an alarming $14,800. And thats for a fraking Accent! Edmunds didn't exactly find this class leading either in their recent review.
On the Accent, the list price of a well-equipped Accent (not just AC and power package but 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, remote locking with alarm, and 15" alloys) is $14,495. There is a $1000 general rebate and discounts are readily available, so for example the Edmunds TMV in my area now is $12,879, which is considerably less than comparably-equipped cars from Honda or Toyota.
There goes any hope for a decent resale value. It will be worth nothing like my 2004 Elantra. Wonderful.
If you save money up front, like I did on my '01 and '04 Elantras, resale value is not an issue. I'd rather have the money up front rather than waiting 5-10 years.
FYI, your credibility went out the window with the first insult. I dont think there is any need for the namecalling esp. from someone who's been a member for all of a month. Someone like backy has been here for way longer than you and some of us actually value his opinion. I'm sure that I'll be your next target but as a real bonafide grown up, I dont care. :P
Anyway, happy driving.
Regards,
Kyle
My friend sent me a pic of my old 2002 Hyundai Accent GL. It was plowed by an SUV (Pathfinder I believe) going 30-40mph last January. The right rear door was open which is why the right side is crushed. The left rear side held up okay. There were 3 passengers in the back and 2 in the front. All walked out okay with no injuries. Hyundai is not so bad after all with their crash rating. :P
http://www.carspace.com/kagedude/?50@@.59a409ce!photoLoc=.59a4ec82&skipNext=0&su- bmitNext=1&noThumbs=1#pic
It will be interesting to see how all these new low-end cars fare in the crash tests, since they all have side bags and curtains standard (except the Yaris). I don't think IIHS scores have been released on any of them yet.
I'm suprised by your friends's car. The 2002 Accent received some of the lowest scores from any car in recent years. http://www.safercar.gov/NCAP/Cars/1858.html
Chrysler Sebring
Dodge Stratus
Ford Taurus
Kia Rio
Kia Spectra
Mazda Mazda3
Nissan Altima
Pontiac Grand Prix
Suzuki Verona
Toyota Camry
VW New Beetle
At least the Accent got dual 5 stars for frontal impact and 4 stars for frontal side impact, which is better than any other car in the list above except the Camry (tie). And most of the cars in the above list are larger than the Accent. We'll have to see how the IIHS rates it. Since they take head injury into account, the Accent could come out better there with its standard side curtains.
Also, you should disclaim that although your cross weight class comparison is VALID for the side impact tests of the IIHS and NHSTA, comparisons across weight classes in FRONTAL impacts ARE NOT DIRECTLY comparable. A 5 star frontal performance of the Accent is not necessarily equal to a 5 start frontal performance of the Camry due to the weight discrepancy, though they are both top notch scores within their respective classes.
~alpha
If it were me, i'd take a car with a strong structure over a car with a flimsy, weaker structure like the Accent bolstered only by some bags of air.
Ever press your hand against the side of the new Accent...it feels like tin foil. Compare that with the feeling you get from the new Honda Fit (just drove it, magnificant!). I'd glady pay $1-1.5K more for that safe feeling.
Did your test of the Accent include taking off the door's outer panel to look at the crash protection inside? The outer skin of the door doesn't provide much protection in crashes. The steel beams inside the doors and the "safety cage" of the car frame does that.
I am not sure why you think the structure of the Accent is "flimsy" and "weak" when it achieved better NHTSA side impact star scores than many larger, heavier cars, and its frontal impact star scores are as good as any car in its weight class.
Hopefully the IIHS tests will give us some better information on structural integrity. I would certainly agreee that anecdotal evidence based on "touching" a door panel and extrapolating that into crashworthiness borders on the absurd.
~alpha
I didn't need to. The doors felt like they weighed half as much as what the Honda Fit's doors weighed. It wasn't a good sign that when I closed the door in my test drive, it sounded similar to my friend's Yugo back in the day Either way, I ran away shuddering at the thought of a SUV broadsiding me during the test drive.
Let me ask you a question: why do you continually try to support and defend a car that has and is sub-par? Is it because of such a strong brand loyalty to Hyundai that you refuse to ackknowledge its short comings? Can Hyundai do no wrong? I own an Elantra, and while its a decent car, I have no problem identifying its major problems. And I have no problem calling the Accent for what it is, a poorly designed POS.
I don't need to disclaim anything since you stepped right up and did it for me. Thanks.
As for the Accent managing "only" 4 stars for frontal side impact with side bags, note that is as good or better than 2006 MY cars tested with SABs such as:
Acura RSX and TL
BMW Z4
Buick Lucerne
Cadillac CTS and DTS
Chevy Aveo
Ford Taurus
Honda Accord and Civic
Hyundai Tiburon
Jaguar S-Type and X-Type
Kia Optima, Rio, and Spectra
Lincoln LS
Mazda RX-8
Mini Cooper
Nissan Maxima
Saab 9-2X
Subaru Impreza
Suzuki Verona
VW Golf (2 dr.)
If you think that I believe Hyundai can do no wrong, you haven't been around Town Hall very long.
Go back over your list and whittle it down to vehicles, with side protection that only mangaged 4/3. Suddenly, your list shrinks. Significantly.
And since the side impact scores are directly comparable across weight classes, I'll also go as far to say that the Accent's disappointing performance is not only worse that its predecessor's, is also among the very worst of ALL vehicles tested with supplemental side airbags, whether optional or standard.
~alpha
Don't be surprised. Its a real world scenario. Maybe the NHTSA tests are more harsh and stringent. All I care about is that all the passengers got out unscathed and that little POS did its job... even with the right rear door open before impact.
I agree a 3 on a side impact test is not good. But there is reason for hope. Note that some of the cars that have good IIHS crash test results didn't do much better than the Accent on the NHTSA side impact crash tests. For example, the Subaru Impreza wagon and Saab 9-2X (really the same car) are IIHS "Gold" picks and got a top score on the side impact crash test despite the 4/4 result in the NHTSA testing. Their NHTSA head injury scores were higher than those on the Accent on the rear crash, 613 to 439. So I would like to see the IIHS tests on the Accent before I strike it off my "potentials" list.
Anyway, I think you are incorrect that the Accent's NHTSA performance is worse than its predecessor's. The 2005 Accent 4-door got 4/4/5/4. The 2006 got 5/5/4/3. That looks like a tie to me, with the '05 doing one star better in each side test and the '06 doing one star better on the two frontal tests.
germancarfan1, as mentioned earlier, it's a moot point to speculate Accent's rear seat rating without SAB - NHTSA and IIHS tests cars with standard equipment. If you want poor rating, the upcoming 2007 Aveo has been rated by the Europeans @ 1 1/2 star.
I just feel you are misrepresenting the facts, which is why I bring up points like disclaiming the difference between comparing vehicles of different weight classes in frontal and side impacts; as stated with frontal you can't directly do so, but in side impacts you can. Also, I felt it important note that many vehicles that achieved similar ratings to the Accent were tested WITHOUT side airbags, so the "Star" ratings for those could potentially improve.
It's not that I'm not hopeful regarding the Accent's side impact test by the IIHS, whenever that occurs. But a 4/3 isn't a great baseline; you make the comparison between the Impreza and 9-2X... scores of both 613 and 439 are easily survivable, clearly the questions for the Accent is how thoracic injury will be mitigated, which is after all, why the Accent received a 3 since, as noted, the Accent did well in HIC for the rear passenger. That said, Hyundai has yet to field an entry that IIHS rates as "Good" in the side impact.
Again, please consider the context of my statements. The new Accent's NHTSA SIDE IMPACT, as MEASURED BY NHTSA is worse than it's predecessors. This is not arguable; both driver and rear passenger fell by an entire star. I did not make the statement "worse than predecessor's" in relation to the frontal test, because- hello- its not true.
~alpha
The customers lost from these crash test results are negligable, IMO, but one can agonize all they want to, I spose.
Drive responsibly.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
It would help if you are clear in your statements, because you didn't differentiate between frontal and side crashes when you said the Accent was worse than its predecessor. Since you were discussing both frontal and side tests, I thought you meant worse overall.
Anyway, I am not the only one who makes mistakes so maybe you would like to cut others who do some slack. Hyundai does have an entry that the IIHS rates "Good" in side impact. In fact, it rates "Good" in all three crash categories and is an IIHS "Gold" (best) pick. I won't beat you up over this mistake, but if you want to go check out the IIHS web site to find out which Hyundai this is and learn more about its excellent IIHS results, go right ahead.
"It would help if you are clear in your statements, because you didn't differentiate between frontal and side crashes when you said the Accent was worse than its predecessor. Since you were discussing both frontal and side tests, I thought you meant worse overall."
Actually, its pretty clear given the CONTEXT of the paragraph in which the statement appeared:
"And since the side impact scores are directly comparable across weight classes, I'll also go as far to say that the Accent's disappointing performance is not only worse that its predecessor's, is also among the very worst of ALL vehicles tested with supplemental side airbags, whether optional or standard."
You are indeed correct, and I apologize for my mistake. The (not yet on dealer lots) Hyundai Entourage does receive top rating from the IIHS based on the tests of the Kia Sedona. Neither of those is a sedan, however, and Hyundai (under the Hyundai or Kia label) has not yet offered a sedan that achieves a 'Good' rating in the side impact, though the potential remains for the Azera and Accent (Better, yes?).
~alpha
I don't know if I agree with that. Hyundai certainly advertises its impressive standard safety equipment as a strong competitive advantage, so the company must see some important marginal benefit of being able to advertise good test results.
~alpha
It's not the words but the repetitious beating on a mistake that was made and corrected that I don't think is really necessary--do you?
You didn't specify sedans before, but if you want to narrow it down now, fine. The only current Hyundai sedans that has been tested by the IIHS for side impact are the Sonata (Acceptable) and the six-year-old Elantra, which is being replaced with an all-new design in a few months. So there is a lot of potential here, with the Accent, Azera, Elantra, and the other recent all-new Hyundai designs like the Entourage, Tucson, and Santa Fe.
Overall the low-end sedan class is full of "potential." Only one low-end sedan has received a "Good" score on the IIHS side impact test--the barely-low-end Civic (in stripped DX trim).
There were also several new Accents there. One with manual locks had a rear door unlocked, so I poked around inside that car for awhile to make sure my earlier impressions about its comfort and solidity were not imagined. They weren't. Exceptionally comfortable driver's seat, with the dual-knob height adjuster and fold-down armrest. Smooth controls--the fan control actually felt smoother to me than that on the Sonata GLS V6 (one of those had a door open too). I slammed the doors and they closed with a solid "thunk"--nothing tinny in the sound to my ears. I noticed the doors have triple seals, which I think all Hyundais do (not sure about that--I know my Elantra has them). The sheet metal on the doors felt about as thick as any other car I've rapped on lately. Not like a Mercedes, but this is a $13k car.
Bottom line is that I like how the Accent looks, sits, and drives. It doesn't handle like a Fit, but it's smoother and quieter on the road and has a much more comfortable driving position for me, and I think has a nicer interior (although the Fit's gauges are really sharp). So I hope the Accent receives decent scores from the IIHS so I can still consider it.
Can the IIHS PLEASE TEST SOMETHING SOON? It's been awhile since they've done a big round of side impacts....
The Fit has some very nice interior details, including the gauges, steering wheel, and shift knob. The hard plastic surfaces are nice looking. But overall I prefer the feel and features of the Accent's interior. I am impressed by all the little touches Hyundai puts into their low-end car, things like fold-down armrests front and rear, dual lighted vanity mirrors, dual seatback map pockets, 8 cupholders, damped grab handles, dual power outlets, durable and (IMO) nice-looking tweed upholstery, decent carpeting, comfy dead pedal, smooth controls (including electronic recirc button), 6-speaker stereo, padded cloth door panels, remote control fuel door, and of course the 8-way adjustable driver's seat. The quietness of the interior is outstanding for such an inexpensive car also--it was the quietest small car in C/D's recent 7-way comparo and was as quiet at 70 mph as the Accord EX V6. All this makes me feel like I am not driving an econobox.
The IIHS is pretty SLOOOOW sometimes, isn't it? The fact that automakers can now run some tests on their own doesn't seem to be accelerating the reporting process much. But then, there are some cars that the automakers can't test themselves--e.g. models that didn't do well in previous frontal impacts. It appears the Accent falls into this category, or I would have expected a result for at least the frontal test by now.
I agree with you. Sitting in a Fit on the dealer lot, I was very impressed and how nice and even 'Acura-like' the Fit's interior was.
Pretty much the new benchmark for econocar interiors, I'd say. I sure haven't seen anything nicer in the class... maybe the Civic? Though that car is starting to be priced above econocar. :shades:
Ok...I'm only guessing on this. But the IIHS is not a government agency. They have no mandate to release their information in a timely fashion.
Car - Frontal driver/Frontal Passenger/Side Front/Side Rear
Honda Fit - 5/5/5/3
Hyundai Accent - 5/5/5/3
Honda Civic Sedan - 5/5/4/5
Scion xA - 4/4/4/4
Scion xB - 4/4/3/4
Toyota Yaris - Unrated
Toyota Corolla - 5/5/4/4
Toyota Matrix - 5/5/3/4
Toyota 04 Echo 4/4/3/4
Chevy Aveo - 5/5/4/4
Mazda3 Sedan - 4/4/3/3
Kia Rio - 4/5/3/3
Dodge Caliber - 5/5/NA/NA
The Fit's side tests just came out. Not terrible, but not the best either. Interestingly, exactly the same as the Accent. The Civic definately is ahead of its class though.
The Civic is actually a class above cars like the Fit and Accent in size and weight.
~alpha
The Fit's 3 star rear rating (obviously thoracic only) is unexpected and a bit disappointing, but then, with the NHTSA tests, I guess nothing should surpise.
As backy has already pointed out, a vehicle needn't be Quad 5 star rated vehicle to excel in the IIHS offset frontal and side impacts. Time will tell...
In addressal of a previous post, there have been several rounds of crash testing released in the summer- check out the former press releases- so I'm not quite sure that NBC would be the prohibitive factor.
~alpha