2007 Hyundai Accent Review

Specifications

Hyundais Smallest North American Entry Goes Big on Size, Performance and Value

In about the same time it took you to read the headline for this article, Hyundai has announced its all-new three-door Accent. Give or take a few days, within the period of a month, South Koreas biggest carmaker has made good on their Accent SR Concept, one of the unexpected surprises at this years Frankfurt Motor Show, translating it into a much tamer production ready vehicle.

Co-developed with subsidiary brand Kia, the third generation Accent is the paternal twin to the Kia Rio; both vehicles share the same drivetrain and architecture, plus many similar features. While Kia offers a practical five-door hatchback version in addition to a sedan, Hyundai aims to perk up its entry-level vehicle lineup by including a sporty 3-door hatch variant to offset the simple if not ordinary Accent four-door sedan.

While its obvious that the production version of the Accent wont be as slick or drool-inducing as the SR Concept, Hyundai has kept the basic design consistent. Due to cost related issues, the 3-door will share its more rounded nose with the sedan, as opposed to the concepts edgier and wider headlamps, while the grille is also different, featuring a color-keyed single-bar design.

Without the roof-top spoiler, body kit and rippling fender flares, the production Accent looks less pumped up, but its still a stylish vehicle. The three-door hatch bucks the trend of most economy cars by keeping its overall height profile low, unlike the new Toyota Yaris or GMDAT (Chevrolet-Daewoo) Aveo. A higher metal to glass ratio and high side beltline make it more car-like in appearance, and should help to lure in buyers who arent keen on tall-roofed two-box subcompacts.

The stylish new Accent is available in two value-packed trim levels: GS and GSi. The base GS model will come standard with ABS brakes, six airbags, color-keyed mirrors, and spoiler, plus Hyundais class-leading 1.6-liter 110-horsepower inline-four featuring performance and economy-boosting CVVT variable valve timing. Top of the line GSi models add air conditioning, power windows and door locks, fog lamps, heated mirrors and keyless entry, as well as 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 205/45VR 16 tires.

For its debut at the SEMA show, Hyundai not only showed the nicely equipped GSi, but a tuned version equipped with add-ons and goodies. The list of features includes everything from a racy body kit to a cold air intake system, power sunroof, sporty aluminum side sills and pedals, and a chrome-tipped exhaust. In terms of sound and hi-fi, the specially-tuned Accent 3-door features a 220-watt, six-disc CD equipped Kenwood satellite-radio head unit with iPod connectivity.

Hyundai is putting in an immense effort into improving its product lineup, and the new Accent 3-door is concrete proof. The message is clear - good value, great styling and impressive performance need not require breaking the bank; a message its competition will soon be waking up to.

Although the new 2006 Accent 4-door is arriving in showrooms shortly, buyers must wait until spring 2006 before the 3-door goes on sale in in North America - designated a 2007 model. Pricing will no doubt be extremely competitive.