Hyundai Accent
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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We'll finally see what was hidden on the spy shots shown in this discussion
Since Hyundai said it wants to differenciate its brand from its sister company Kia, I think the new Accent will be a little more upscale than the 2006 Rio, on which it's based.
At least, I hope it will be different enough in styling.
It seems it wasn't shown in Toronto after all, contrary to what I read on MSN Autos (I won't trust them anymore...)
~alpha
http://www.hyundaiaccent.com/index.html
I'm glad it doesn't look at all like the 2006 Kia Rio, but it has some Toyota Corolla resemblance imho.
According to the specs, it seems to be a mechanical twin to the new Rio: 110hp 1.6L engine, same wheelbase and dimensions, same suspension layout. Sadly, the rear suspension is no longer independent, which was a characteristic unique to the Accent in its class (correct me if I'm wrong on that).
There is a resemblence to the Corolla in front, but the Accent is more teardrop-shaped and the rest of the car doesn't look like the Corolla, IMO. The tailights remind me of the Protege. Nice rear end and side profile I think. A rather stand-out feature is the very high trim strip on the side--the better to tackle those SUV doors I guess.
Unfortunately ABS is not standard (as it will be on a competitor, the Fit), but at least Hyundai retained the trademark 8-way driver's seat.
I think the dash looks better in grey--the tan looks a little cheap to me, with no trim around the HVAC dials. See the photos:
http://new-york-auto-show.autoblog.com/entry/1234000730037482/
If the crash test results are good, this is definitely a car I'll look at when it's time to turn over my '01 Elantra to my oldest son in 18 months.
I am very curious to see what the EPA ratings for the new CVVT engine in the Accent will be. It should be at least in the upper 30s, based on the numbers from the current Elantra and the new Sonata.
I am mighty impressed by the new Sonata, though.
~alpha
One thing that impresses me about the Accent is its equipment for an entry-level car, e.g. fold-down center armrest in the rear, what looks like plush fabric in one close-up I saw, power everything. I wonder if we'll see another instance of the Elantra/Spectra situation, where the Rio undercuts the Accent in price, but by the time you equip the cars comparably the Accent costs less? Then for Hyundai owners like me there's (we hope) the lure of loyalty rebates on the Accent...
Let us also consider the Honda Civic. Hyundai now, I would argue, has the same levels of techonology and sophistication as Hondas. If we compare the new Accent's 1.6 liter engine to the Civic's 1.7 liter engine, we can find a few things. They both have continuously-variable valve timing, are the same size, and have similar powertrain layouts. Also, they are both ULEVs. The Accent weighs 2375 pounds on average (that's the new model, half way between the auto and manual), and the Civic weighs 2612 with an auto and I'm sure is less aerodynamic and it gets 31 city / 38 hwy with an auto, and 32 / 37 with a manual. The current Accent gets 25 / 36 with an automatic, and 29 / 33 with a manual. Considering that the new Sonata 2.4L I-4 engine gets 25 / 34 with 160 horsepower, I think we can expect the new Accent to at least obtain over 30 in the city, and approaching or surpassing 40 on the highway. The Civic weighs more and is an older engine design, but still gets 31 / 38.
If you're wondering why I had to compare a Civic EX to an Accent, it is because DX, and LX models do not have VTEC.
My supreme estimates for what mileage this car will achieve are as follows:
Manual Automatic
35/42 33/39
Exactly the same as the Toyota ECHO.
***
Has anyone noticed that Edmunds has really been slumping when it comes to coverage of auto shows lately? They don't even have all of the new models on their NY Auto Show page. It is getting to the point where I have to double-check things and go to different sites, just because of how unreliable this site is getting. What's the deal with that? The Accent isn't even on the NY Auto Show page, which Edmunds had an article about in the Inside Line daily news last week. It was about how Hyundai would debut both the Azera and Accent at the show. They should be rather embarassed to have reported (or posted, seeing as how their news comes from Global Auto Systems or something like that) on something, and not followed up on the thing they explicitly eluded to covering. That's bad journalism.
I also wonder if Hyundai has any plans to drop their new 1.8L engine into the Accent and Rio down the road...
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Did you know that the 2005.5 Jetta, the new one that just came out has what you would deem an "old" engine. It's 2.5 liter inline-5, is derived from the old Jetta's 2.0 liter I-4, and both are still related in design to the original Jetta's (that's like 1983 or something) I-4 engine. Somehow, these engines are still relevant. I don't think that Hyundai, who I would argue is more tech-savvy than Volkswagen, would allow this engine to be continued if it were made irrelevant.
Also, lexi4life eluded to something about Accents competing with ECHOs. ECHOs are in their last year of production. They have sold less than 25% of what Toyota expected them to sell annually, every year they've been sold. I think that the Accent nameplate has already won. Also, the cars that this car is now competing with is the Scion xA and xB. The higher-end low-end cars, if you will. Both of these cars have 108 horsepower, and 105 pounds of twist. These cars are also heavier. Adding in the price premium these cars will have, I think the Accent has nothing to worry about.
Also, drawing back to my earlier attention to the fact that Jetta's are still related to their roots. The Scion xB and xA are essentially re-packaged ECHOs. They are on the same platform, and same powertrain. They cost a lot more, although this doesn't hinder their sales.
~alpha
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I'm worried about this wagon talk. The Accent is an entry level four banger that is perfect for cash-strapped teens like myself (of course, even when I dominate the world and am a googolplexaire, I will still drive a 5 speed GLS). All these variants could increase the price down the road.
They better bring the 5-door to the States. Its all over Europe and Australia... HOT!
By the way, what is the official top speed for the GL automatic? I pushed 112 and I'm not sure just how close this is to the top speed (I'd have put this in another board, but all relevant ones are closed) .
Thanks.
-Speed Freak (not the drug)">
When and if they bring a five door or wagon into the states I will truly give it a thought. Until then I'm over at the Kia store.
Any pics of the 5 door Accent?
Ask any 18 year old to choose between a Hyundai and a Scion. They will obviously choose the Scion, the 'hipper' car. If Hyundai wants to truly compete with Scion, they need to spice their model a bit to make it less conservative.
Even the new Sonata looks less conservative.
Highly disappointed. I think Hyundai seriously needs to add some spazz into their line up. The quality is there; now they need to focus on the 'image'.
Manual 32 City/ 35 Hwy
Auto 29 City/ 38 Hwy
You would think 2006 Accent would be about the same.
A good improvement over 2005, but the highway mpg for the manual should be 38-41 especially with the auto's numbers.
2006 KIA RIO
They should have broken the mold and put in a 6 speed manual. You get the feel of speed up through 5th, and then stick it in 6th for maximum highway fuel economy.
5-speeds with a taller 5th with intestinal fortitude would do.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Do you really expect the MSRP to drop more than a 1000 to $10,000? The last 5 years the actual out the door cost of the Accent has not been competitive to the more discounted Elantra. For just a 1000 more you get better power, more amenities, and not significantly worse fuel economy. No wonder the sales of the Accent have been miniscule.
But as I said who expects good highway fuel economy in a light, small car, with a low power engine? Everybody.
Everybody but Mini Cooper owners I guess.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I entered the new car market with the Scion xA as my favorite. It still has a lot of things going for it, but acceleration is not among them. I think the 05 Accent is ugly in a down-scale sense (as opposed to the xB, which is ugier, but in a cutting-edge sense).
Anyway, I'm looking for a hatchback with AT. In the Hyundai line, the Elantra is my choice. If the Accent comes in a hatchback for 06, it will get a long, hard look from me.
Bottom line is that if there is a hatchback Accent, it is a DIRECT competitor of the Scion xA & xB. If not, I'll look at the Rio Cinco for 06.
~alpha