Hyundai Accent

Replying to: tsgeisel (Jul 05, 2006 6:38 pm)

Believe it or not, my local Hyundai dealer recently got in a new 2007 Hyundai Accent SE. I stopped by for a test drive this morning.
 
First, the basics. It was a Tango Red SE with the Sun and Sound package and auto transmission (in other words, as expensive and top-of-the-line as you can get for an Accent). The sticker was $16,830 which included destination but no rebates, taxes, title, etc. Pretty expensive territory for an Accent. But boy did it look sharp!
 
Exterior wise, the 16 inch wheels really make this car stand out. Panel gaps were narrow and the large doors closed shut with a solid "whump". This is a Hyundai?!? Wow, compared to my 5 year old Elantra, Hyundai has come a long way forward in build quality. I liked the reddish-orange color, and the paint seemed uniform and of consistent quality. The rear hatch opens just like my Elantra by pulling on a concealed handle hidden above the license plate. The hatch is much more lightweight than the Elantra, and is supported by gas struts on both sides. A downside; the rear cargo cover does not move up when you open the hatch, although it is removable. Exterior likes: the foglights in the front bumper, the side marker turn signal lights (new on the sedan as well), the 16 inch wheels, the styled rear lights, the rear spoiler, big heated and foldable rear side mirrors. Exterior dislikes: the color-coded Hyundai emblem on the front grill, no chrome tail pipe exhaust finisher (may be an accessory?), no body side moldings to help prevent door dings.
 
Interior impressions in the next post...

Replies to this message:
• shado4 (Jul 08, 2006 8:35 am)
  • shado4 (Jul 08, 2006 9:02 am)
    • backy (Jul 08, 2006 9:18 am) and 1 more...

Replying to: shado4 (Jul 08, 2006 8:11 am)

Interior wise, I can see where Hyundai spent a lot of the money they charge you for this car. Everything fit well together and many things (like the sunglasses holder near the sunroof controls) opened with fluid precision. Very nice! The sunroof itself is glass and both tilts up and has a one-touch slide open feature. Two map lights are present and work with individual switches.
 
The climate control switchgear is electronic in nature (very precise and no "rubber band" feel at all), with separate buttons for AC and recirc. There is a MAX AC setting on the vent selector dial that automatically activates the AC and recirc functions. Simulated carbon fiber surrounds the radio, which included a 6-disc CD changer and a cassette. Pushing the audio button brings up selections for Bass, Midrange and Treble settings, as well as balance and fade. I briefly listened to the audio via a local FM station and the sound was good, with sold bass. I think there should be more treble response, but that could just be my old ears
 
There are 2 individual trip meters selected by a flush button to the left of the steering wheel. The steering wheel itself is wrapped in leather and is a nice 3 pointer. Instrumentation includes a tachometer, temp, fuel and speedometer gauges.
 
Seats are comfortable, especially the driver's seat which includes an 8 way adjustment. The hip point seems to be higher in the Accent compared to my Elantra, which makes for a better view of the road and easier entry and exit. Another downside; reaching for the seatbelt from the driver's seat after I had adjusted it to my frame required a little more stretching and arm bending than I would normally like. There is an armrest attached to the right side of the driver's seat which can be flipped up when not in use. The armrest does not include any storage space.
 
What really surprised me was the amount of room in the back seat area. I'm only 5'8", but entering the back seat from the passenger side was easier than I thought. Once in the back, I had plenty of head and knee room, but forget about putting 3 people back there.
 
Driving impressions coming up...

Replies to this message:
• shado4 (Jul 08, 2006 9:02 am)
  • backy (Jul 08, 2006 9:18 am)
    • shado4 (Jul 08, 2006 9:53 am)

Replying to: shado4 (Jul 08, 2006 8:35 am)

Driving the SE was a pleasant surprise. Considering the test drive included two people (myself and the sales rep) with the AC on max, the SE fared better than just me driving my current Elantra. It is no pocket rocket by any stretch of the imagination, however. Acceleration from a dead stop was leisurely, and the engine made a fair amount of noise when pushed to the upper reaches of the powerband. The four-speed auto is probably the biggest culprit here, even though shifts were smooth and quick, with none of the shift flair I am getting from my Elantra.
 
At normal cruising speed, the Accent was very quiet. Bumps were quickly absorbed without fuss. I was worried that the "sport tuned suspension" of the SE would translate into a harsh ride, but it wasn't that bad. What I really wanted to do was to take some corners at speed to see what the SE could do, and I got the chance.
 
On a twisty two lane road behind the dealership, I dropped speed behind a slow moving minivan in front of me to open up some space between us. Making sure that no one was behind me and the lane was cleared up front, I brought the Accent up to speed. Approaching a hard right corner, the sales rep beside me said something about holding on as he grabbed the handle mounted to the right above his head.
 
I took the corner at speed without touching the brakes. The Accent picked a line and stuck with it, even as I accelerated out of the turn. Body roll was minimal, the tires did not make a sound, and I had a big grin on my face as I exited the turn. Who needs straight line performance?
 
When all was said and done, I got out of the car, returned the keys to the sales rep and walked around the Accent one more time. The SE is a VERY nice car, but at $16.8K there are probably some better alternatives out there. Still, once the rebates kick in and there is more of a selection (I got the distinct impression that dealing on this car would be near impossible since the sales rep kept saying it was the only Accent of its kind in the tri-state area), I may be back to trade in my Elantra.

Replies to this message:
• backy (Jul 08, 2006 9:18 am)
  • shado4 (Jul 08, 2006 9:53 am)

Replying to: shado4 (Jul 08, 2006 9:02 am)

Replies to this message:
• shado4 (Jul 08, 2006 9:53 am)

Replying to: backy (Jul 08, 2006 9:18 am)

All in all I expect the Accent SE will have a tough time competing against cars like the Rabbit 3-door, Fit, and Versa at full MSRP. So I think discounts and rebates will be coming in the not too-distant future.
 
That's my thinking as well. Considering that the car I drove is the first (and apparently only) Accent SE in the surrounding area, I was reluctant to talk numbers with the sales rep. Sorry, but I don't want to pay for the "privilege" of being the first Accent SE owner on the block!
 
I'll probably bide my time and see what comes down the road at a later date. Besides, not having to make a monthly car payment is a benefit I'm not too keen on giving up.

Replies to this message:
• shado4 (Jul 08, 2006 8:20 pm)

Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Jun 17, 2005 2:54 pm)

Replies to this message:
• backy (Jul 09, 2006 8:55 am)

Replying to: azera25 (Jul 08, 2006 7:59 pm)