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2012 Hyundai Accent Replacement "Verna"?

223 messages,  Last post on Nov 08, 2011 at 7:24 PM

You are in the Hyundai Accent Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Accent, Hatchback

    

Messages Page 5 of 23

#35 of 223 Re: boo hiss [carfreak09] by backy

Feb 03, 2011 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: carfreak09 (Feb 03, 2011 2:31 pm)
Let's look at this from a practical POV... if Hyundai could sell 5,000 Accent 3-door hatches in the USA per month, it would be a no-brainer to offer one. The fact they probably will not offer one in the USA tells us they know they won't sell enough of them to make it worth their while. They're not stupid, and they're not a charity--they are in this for profit. If there's profit to be made on a 3-door Accent, they'll bring it here.
 
During 2010, Hyundai sold over 5,000 Accents in only 3 months, and the most was 5,700--the other two months were around 5,300. I have a hard time believing Hyundai sold only 300-700 sedans in a month when it sold 5,000 3-doors. Possible I suppose, but unlikely given these sales numbers include retail and fleet sales.
 
If I were you, I'd go for the Golf (or slightly used Rabbit) vs. the Accent 3-door. Far, far superior car, and a real nice 2007-2008 VW Certified Rabbit 3-door with Tiptronic can be had for about what you paid for your Accent GS, or even less.
 
P.S. If 3-door hatches are so popular, why did the Versa and Fit both outsell the Accent hatch? Accent should have clobbered those other hatches in sales, yes? And where is the 3-door Yaris on that list?

#36 of 223 Re: boo hiss [backy] by carfreak09

Feb 04, 2011 (2:19 am)

Replying to: backy (Feb 03, 2011 4:00 pm)
But if 5 door hatches are all the rage, why is the Rio5 not selling? It's been a sales flop. I've only seen 1 on the road in my large city in the past 6 months. The Accent 3 door is everywhere. I'm not convinced a 5 door Accent will sell any better than the 3 door. So where is the added benefit to Hyundai? The market is flooded with 5 door hatches. There is more room for a 3 door to sell than a 5 door. Remember how the Focus ZX5 flopped while the ZX3 sold in decent numbers?
 
Sales of the Versa and Fit can be easily explained. The Versa is the roomiest car in its class and the largest. Americans love size and tend to gravitate towards the larger cars, even in the subcompact class. The Fit has Honda's name on it, the magic seat, and did better in crash tests. Hyundai has made huge strides in perception but Honda is still considered by many to be a superior product, thus the higher sales.
 
I do love the Golf, but I won't do used cars and VW reliability scares me some. I love Hyundai's warranty and styling, thus why I want to stay in the family. I've owned my Accent for 4 months and already have 10080 miles!

#37 of 223 Re: boo hiss [carfreak09] by backy

Feb 04, 2011 (6:51 am)

Replying to: carfreak09 (Feb 04, 2011 2:19 am)
Most Kias are a sales flop, relatively speaking. When was the last time you saw an ad for the Rio5? I've never seen one in the history of the current generation, going back five years.
 
I really don't remember how the ZX5 "flopped" compared to the ZX3. Maybe where you live, there are lots of young, single people who prefer 3-door hatches? Where I live, in the family-oriented Midwest, I see few 3-door hatches compared to sedans and 5-door hatches and wagons. As you said, Americans gravitate towards size. Also utility, as in getting the most functionality for the dollar. A 5-door provides more utility than a 3-door. For most people I think, utility in an inexpensive car wins out over sportiness.
 
When I was single, and then married w/o kids, I owned several 2-door and 3-door cars. But not a very useful thing when MWK. Ever tried to wrestle with one or two car seats in a 3-door Accent? Ever tried to climb into the back with a bad back and bad knees (as my wife has)? And, America is not getting younger... it's aging. Notice the humongous levers on seat adjusters and larger dials/knobs on many cars these days? They are being designed for older folk, not youngsters. Sorry. The last 3-door I owned was a 2007 Rabbit. Great car (very reliable, btw, and had a 4-year factory b-to-b warranty as a VW Certified car). When we got rid of our mini-van awhile back, I had to trade the Rabbit on a sedan (Sonata) because my wife had trouble climbing into and out of it.
 
Maybe you could write a letter to John Krafcik and lay out your case for an Accent 3-door. Or get on the Hyundai Think Tank forum and make your case there. That will probably be a lot more effective than a post here.

#38 of 223 Re: boo hiss [backy] by phill1

Feb 04, 2011 (11:45 am)

Replying to: backy (Feb 04, 2011 6:51 am)
I agree! I own an 06` Kia Rio5 SX 5 door hatchback that now has 62K mileage and want to replace with another like vehicle. Like I`ve said in earlier posts, I love the versatility that the 5 door hatchback offers, similar to a small wagon. I bought a 11` Ford Fiesta 5 door hatchback last July and love it. I hope that the new upcoming 12` Hyundai Accent 5 door hatchback looks as attractive as the sedan. I (do) want the utility of the hatchback, (but) early pictures indicate that the 4 door sedan is much more appealing, contrary to the Fiesta hatchback being much more attractive then its sibling sedan, IMO. As far as 3 door hatchbacks go, its a small niche target group it appeals to and I think Hyundai sees the success Ford Fiesta is having with its hatchback sales versus its sedan, and that`s in 5 door (not 3 door) configuration.

#39 of 223 Re: boo hiss [carfreak09] by sandman_6472

Feb 08, 2011 (11:22 am)

Replying to: carfreak09 (Feb 04, 2011 2:19 am)
My kids '08 Accent GLS 4 door has been an excellent car so far...it just does everything right. O k mileage, comfortable for an economy box & it scoots around effortlessly...all my daughter needs. The other girl has the '09 Versa SL hatch, also an outstanding auto but would prefer the regular auto to the CVT it has. Just don't like the watered down initial take off that a regular auto tranny doesn't have. Once up to speed, a flawless car also...great 1st cars that I would have no problem driving as my dd...which could be a reality down the road, since I drive maybe 30 miles/week now.
 
The wife will also look at these when she buys next year, though I think the Elantra will fit her needs better. For her, a car is just an appliance to get from point A to point B...it just needs to start & run every time she gets in. She doesn't share my passion in the automotive area & makes fun of me about my Edmunds obsession!
 
But in the small car category, who could ask for more right now...possibly the biggest selection of new models ever!!
 
The Sandman

#40 of 223 Re: boo hiss [carfreak09] by hyundai_guru

Feb 14, 2011 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: carfreak09 (Feb 02, 2011 1:07 am)
The Accent 3 door has probably the best styling in its class. I currently own a 2007 Accent SE which has four wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD. It's a great little car BUT the only reason I have it is because back in '07 Hyundai dropped the 5 door Elantra (what I had before it was totaled). I never cared for the styling of the Rio 5. I've always preferred Hyundai over Kia, not to mention the odd lack of a sun roof even as an option on the Rio 5. Never mind the fact that their powertrain is the same. Before, I owned a 2003 Elantra GT which was, in my opinion, one of the best designed 5 door models Hyundai ever made. It was totaled in a three car pile up in 2007 leaving me with only one hatchback choice from Hyundai. Surprisingly, I was impressed by the changes in the Accent design and technology. It's light years ahead of the older models; complete with a 6 disc changer, sun roof, etc.
 
Here's the thing; I'm single, no kids but prefer a 5 door. I like the versatility of four doors and a hatchback. I don't like the inconvenience of those rare occasions when friends need to ride in the back seat and the front passenger has to get out, flip the seat forward, then the one or two friends have to squeeze in around the front passenger seat, etc. Pain in the ass. Of course, once you're in the back seat it's got the usual creature comforts that I've come to expect from Hyundai like actual lumbar support, etc. But still, it's just much better when those friends can simply open a door and hop in without disturbing the front passenger and having to always readjust the front passenger seat. Plus this new 2012 model has more power and FINALLY bluetooth. Not to mention an awsome 6 speed shiftronic. I'll be trading in my SE the second the 5 door is available here in the US. FYI: There will be an ebony black '07 SE with a sunroof and 6 disc changer for sale soon somewhere in southern california!

#41 of 223 Re: boo hiss [hyundai_guru] by phill1

Feb 14, 2011 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: hyundai_guru (Feb 14, 2011 1:13 pm)
Have you seen the pictures of the 2012 Kia Rio 5 door hatchback being revealed Mar. 1 at the Geneva Auto Show? Its MUCH better looking then the 2012 Hyundai hatchback IMO. I hope they both hit the showrooms at the same time. Looks though that Hyundai will be at least 6 months or more ahead of Kia and I won`t wait, but the Kia hatch rear is not so Fiesta like and would get my vote.

#42 of 223 Confirmation of 5-door by backy

Feb 17, 2011 (9:51 pm)

John Krafcik has confirmed there will be a 5-door Accent for the USA, in his posting on Hyundai Think Tank on Jan. 20:
 
I have a funny story. At the Detroit Auto Show last week, the folks at Jalopnik.com asked me to do a live chat with their readers. Having done a few of these with you guys, and loving that experience, I readily agreed. One of their readers asked if the new Accent was going to have a 5-door. I answered in the manner you’d expect me to…by saying: “Yes, and it’s going to kick the Fiesta’s butt.” Well, that sure got a lot of attention in Detroit, and in the blogosphere. And I can thank the Think Tank folks for honing my live chat responses in that way! And of course, I think when you see the new Accent, particularly the 5-door SE model, you’re going to agree.

I am reading into this, but I don't think he would have made the blanket "Yes" response in Detroit if the 5-door were going to be Canada-only.

#43 of 223 2012 Accent review by backy

Apr 18, 2011 (8:29 pm)

OK, so it's for the Saudi Arabian version with a different powertrain than what the US should get, but still useful and has some nice pics... something to whet your appetite until the "official" unveiling on Wednesday (guess the Montreal unveiling earlier this year was "unofficial"??).
 
http://www.drivearabia.com/news/2011/03/01/first-drive-hyundai-accent-2012-dubai- -uae-fujairah-gcc/

#44 of 223 Official Hyundai Info by tenpin288

Apr 20, 2011 (10:24 am)

Here's a link to the Hyundai press release with specs and pricing already available! (No pics yet, should be up soon I would guess).
 
2012 Accent Press Release
 
 

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