2007 Hyundai Accent Review

Specifications

Hatch of the Day

Enthusiasm, has never been particularly high for subcompact cars. Purchasing one has always been likened to buying an appliance, something useful but hardly pulse-rising, such as a refrigerator or dryer. But recently, however, things have been getting a little more interesting in the little car segment. Small is big again, and luckily for us, automakers have kept in shape by training abroad. Hyundai, as a participant has always been involved in making small cars; thats what its most famous for. Though vehicles like the Sonata and Santa Fe have turned it into the success story of the first half of the new decade, its with the Accent that things are set to pick up the pace even further and hold strong momentum.

The new Accent has been turning quite a few heads, as its quickly becoming the subcompact vehicle of choice for the masses who want simple transportation that wont require any limbs for payment. As such, it was with great pride and enthusiasm that Hyundai introduced the new Accent 3-Door SE, the Accent with more style, more sport, and verve than any before it. Very clearly, you can see the sport factor: unlike Nissan, Honda or Chevrolet, the Accent Hatchback is only available in a three-door body style. You wont be able to get anything else either, as Hyundai doesnt have any plans to introduce a five-door hatchback in the near future. One might assume thats what its fraternal twin, the Kia Rio5 hatchback is for.

In the metal, the Accent hatchback is an extremely convincing proposition. Todays micro compacts have morphed into scrunched, cartoon-eyed machines, stretched on the Y-plane, and standing on their tippy-toes. Great if youre trying to maximize the number of gymnasts youre attempting to wedge inside, but the design is so far eschewed from standard convention that you cant help but scratch your head and wonder. Instead, the Accent manages to provide excellent interior space in a much more familiar shape, with a design thats distinctively European, fleshed out with a bulkier shape, fronting a sizeable hood with chunky headlamps and details that arent at all dainty. Check out the swooping crease through the bodys midsection, and that dramatically arched tail for strong, visual confirmation.

This latest Accent really strikes home on real hatchback roots, with a kinked rear window and spoiler, a clever extension of the curved roof line. When viewed directly from the back, it seems a tad less well-proportioned than I remember it being in the photos; the rear glass is unusually small in terms of width and height and when puckered between the haunched rear flanks, you get a bit of a Crossfire-lite vibe. None of the compromises you might have expected were made, with excellent rear visibility thanks to diminutive-sized rear shingle head restraints, and a third rear seatbelt that doesnt dangle from the roof.

Pop the heavy hood, and youll find the most powerful engine in the subcompact class, delivering 110 horsepower and 106 lb-ft of torque. But theres still much to be said about the Accents sole Alpha-series powerplant: its just as advanced as any of its rivals, featuring CVVT continuously variable valve timing, DOHC and four valves per cylinder technology. No, not groundbreaking stuff, but very much with the times; and for some sure to surprise, no less with utmost composure and refinement.

A five-speed manual is standard, but its nothing to write home about. It may have tight-knit ratios, but the shift linkage feels like its made from rope and the clutch has the same weight and feel as the gas pedal. The optional four-speed automatic is better, and with longer gearing, its able to cruise more efficiently and quietly: at 60 mph, the engine turns at 500 fewer revs. Both cars are good at minimizing NVH levels, although things get a bit more vocal as revs climb beyond 4,000 rpm.

The interior in the old Accent was one of the prominent reasons why the car was branded as being bargain basement. It had plenty to do with the abundant use of hard, plastics that K.Od with a one-two assault on your senses, with blinding glare, poor feel and overbearing petroleum distillate odors. Hyundais sudden turn for the better yields results that are infinitely more appealing. The dash, for instance isnt modeled after a cliff face; its modern and curvy with the stereo and HVAC controls canted towards the driver for easy use. The seats offer true comfort, with good lateral support and a fold-down drivers armrest, and there are plenty of bins and storage containers to stow the clutter that subcompacts magically seem to collect. Though the materials on the whole are better, the rougher textured stuff on the door and around the lower parts of the center console, were easily scratched by my less than lethal fingernail.

Because the Accent hatch is a giant in the subcompact segment, some 8.6 inches longer than the Yaris three-door hatchback, its only direct competitor, its sufficiently roomy to carry four full-sized people on board for a considerable amount of time, and five in a pinch. Interior volume is some 11-percent greater than in the Yaris, not to mention the fact that its considered a compact by the EPA for interior volume. Makes sense; its also got more interior volume than a Civic Coupe. Granted, headroom may be a more pressing issue due to the sloping hatch, especially in the Sport model which includes a sunroof, but thatll only be problematic should you extend over six feet. Trunk space also bests the Toyota, offering 15.9 cu-ft of cargo volume in a deep, wide bay, which expands once the seatbacks get folded. The rear seats dont recline or slide as they do on the Yaris, but a 60/40 split folding back is standard.

The local backroads that entangle Merrickville, the location of the Hatchbacks launch, were former stages in a local rally. As you can imagine, our proving grounds consisted of narrow roadways complete with bumps, ruts and cracks all thrown in with a complex array of decreasing-radius corners, varying in camber with hill crests and valleys scattered about. Driving the Accent hatch on such roads stresses how far Hyundais dynamics have come, and the surprising adroitness of Koreas latest offering. The base and more “luxury” oriented models deliver a ride that provides great bump absorption without immoderate amounts of body roll, typical to subcompacts. Adding a few sporty options rates highly on the comfort index too, although the upgraded suspension gives it a noticeably firmer ride thanks to lower profile tires, and springs and dampers that are effectively 24-percent stiffer up front, 11-percent in the rear with body roll resistance thats on par with the Tiburon. Remarkably, the car wont thump or crash about, even on distressed pavement, and the interior remained free of chirps and squeaks.

To drive, the Accent is better than its ever been; the steering on the previous generation was criticized for being too slow with a gluey action, not so with the new car. The new three-door hatch features a rack thats even quicker than the current four-door sedan, and incorporates servo assistance drawn off engine speed. Around town, its short work to pilot the Accent, the steering wheel is easily twirlable, but all cars, especially the sport-tuned version could do with less assistance and more feel when things heat up. Turn-in is accurate, and its easy to place the Accent where you want it in a corner, with enthusiasm, but in many ways its uni-directional experience failing to transmit the feedback that inspires confidence. Dont get me wrong, its better than any rival that uses electrical assist, but, itll take a bit of tweaking to turn the Accent into a serious backroad blasting rally machine, which the sorted chassis is ever so capable of managing. Brakes too are good; the disc/disc ABS combinations pedal feel is calibrated too sharply, but the standard ABS-less layout with rear drums is spot on with better modulation and superior pedal feel.

I never thought that I would be saying this, but the Accent really does feel like a quality machine, and its something the competition probably wasnt expecting. Poke your nose in that engine bay, and youll find that theres weather-stripping all around to keep dust and dirt out, a jacket to insulate the battery so that it stays warm in the winter, and no wiring left exposed to the elements. Even the seams where metal meets metal around the bay are properly joined, a sign of true quality. You cant find these things in a Yaris, Im told, and sure enough, under the nose of a Yaris, these things werent there. Granted, I wouldnt blame you for being a skeptic; such details need to be pointed out, or you go through life not taking notice. But, after all this, it really does make you really wonder if Hyundai needs that 5-year 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warrantee after all.

While exact details are yet available, the Accent 3-door should fly in the face of de-contenting, at least the ones we were driving didnt take much pointing out to have the equipment seen. Some features were an 8-way adjustable drivers seat with armrest, plus manual mirrors with remote toggles. Also available is a rear windscreen wiper, a critical feature that any hatchback driver in wetter climes will attest to. Power windows can also be had, plus heated power mirrors and keyless entry with an alarm, while top of the line models get 14-inch alloy wheels, heated seats, fog lamps, six airbags and ABS. Sport options will be avialable too, such as that aforementioned sport-tuned suspension, perforated leather trimmed wheel and shift knob, fog lamps and the big wheels, plus a power sunroof and overhead console. No matter which model you pick, the Accent hatch should be an absolute bargain, but well have to wait and see what numbers Hyundai Motor America comes up with.

There is one last bit worth noting - Hyundai is preparing some cool components designed to spice up the regular car and give it some street cred. A healthy dose of street style is on the way, with a full bodykit, exhaust tip and cold-air intake. Other modifications will include a cat-back exhaust system, 17-inch alloy wheels, a carbon fiber-like interior kit, and a pounding stereo developed by Clarion. As far as serious performance upgrades, such as forced aspiration, theyre some ways down a long pipeline. In the meantime, if its a three-door hatchback or sporty small car youre looking for without breaking the bank, then the Accent more than fits the bill.