2007 Hyundai Accent Road Test Review
Hyundai, the car company, has always been synonymous for value. From the introduction of the first Hyundai vehicles in North America way back in the 1980’s, the corporate mantra was to provide cheap vehicles at fair prices.
At the beginning of the 21st century, however, Hyundai started singing a new tune. Rather than focus on cheap cars, the company decided to up the ante and build quality vehicles to be sold at reasonably good prices. While it was still important the Hyundai name represent best-in-class pricing, it was also imperative consumers no longer associate the words cheap and Hyundai in the same sentence.
The biggest challenge the Korean automaker faces is the perception they have created for themselves in the market.
| "For 2007, Hyundai embodies a coolness factor previously missing from the cars" |
How does a car company renowned for producing cheap transportation convince the buying public they now build high quality cars worthy to be compared with the likes of Honda, Toyota and Nissan? The answer, at least as far as Hyundai is concerned, is the all new Accent 3-door hatchback and sedan.
The Accent has been in production for the past 12 years, the newest iteration being the 3rd generation. For 2007, Hyundai has designed a vehicle that embodies a coolness factor previously missing from the first and second generation cars.
A swooping roofline rushes towards the front hood, providing the illusion of motion even when standing still. The rear of the Accent 3-door is short and stubby, but rounded so as to increase visual appeal. A rear roof spoiler is standard on both hatchback models.
Not to be outdone, the sedan is equally striking, though not as sporty in appearance as the hatchback. Rakish styling provides a tight exterior profile, corners are rounded with elongated oval headlights and European style taillights.
The 2007 Accent is available in three models, the two-door GS and SE hatchback and the GLS four-door sedan.
All three cars offer class-leading safety, including front and side impact airbags, head protection airbags, and other structural enhancements. Anti-lock brakes are optional, except on the SE hatchback, but this is also the case with two of its biggest competitors, the Toyota Yaris and the Chevrolet Aveo.
Underneath the hood is a 1.6-litre DOHC 4-cylinder cast iron block engine that produces 110 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 106 lbs-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. The high-revving engine can be mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic.
Fuel economy is rated at 32 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway for a manually equipped car. As you would expect in the economy class, the Accent runs on regular unleaded gasoline.
The body of the 2007 Accent is 39% stiffer than the previous generation and includes a front MacPherson strut suspension with coil springs and gas shock absorbers and a coupled torsion beam rear suspension with coil springs and gas shock absorbers.
As a value leader, the 3-door Accent GS is equipped with 2 cupholders, tilt steering, rear HVAC controls, cloth seats and height adjustable front seats. Wheels are 14-inch steel with all-season tires.
The 3-door Accent SE adds ABS brakes, Electronic Brake Distribution, (EBD) air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, leather steering wheel and a 172-watt AM/FM/CD stereo among other features. Wheels are specially designed 16-inch aluminum alloy.
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Standard on the 4-door sedan is air conditioning, tilt steering, power door locks, a tachometer and a remote hood and fuel door. Additional features include a cabin air filter, 8 cupholders, an illuminated vanity mirror, front adjustable seat height and remote trunk release.
Seats are generally comfortable, though uninspiring in appearance. I found on a trip lasting in excess of 3 hours, my lower back and legs would start to feel tired. Thigh support is good, but not great, which probably also contributed to my fatigue.
Driving the Hyundai Accent is for the most part a fun and worthwhile experience. Engine noise is somewhat excessive, but nothing unusual for this price range of vehicle. Performance from a stop is strong and my initial fuel economy numbers were close to those provided by the manufacturer.
Cabin space is excellent, even in the 3-door hatchback. Fit and finish is very good, the quality of plastics used is appealing and finish gaps look to be excellent.
All things considered, the 2007 Hyundai Accent represents a solid step forward in the evolution of the affordable automobile. While not groundbreaking by any stretch of imagination, the new Accent offers more features and good looks than previous generation models. It seems Hyundai is very serious about changing their image from building cheap cars at fair prices to providing quality cars at reasonable prices. In today’s economy with rising fuel prices and environmental concerns, the timing couldn’t be better.
| 2007 Hyundai Accent |
Description: |
Economy car |
Model options: |
3-door GS, SE
4-door GLS |
Engine size: |
DOHC 1.8-L I4 |
Horsepower: |
I-4: 160 @ 6,500 rpm
V-6: 221 @ 6,250 rpm |
Transmission: |
5-speed Manual, 4-speed Auto |
Wheelbase: |
98.4 inches |
Overall Length: |
159.3 inches |
Rear/Front Drive: |
FWD |
Steering: |
Power engine speed sensing rack and pinion |
Braking: |
GS: front disc, rear drum
SE: 4-wheel disc
GLS: 4-wheel disc opt. |
Air bags: |
2 (front)
2 (side)
4 (side curtain) |
Fuel Economy: |
5-speed: 32/35 mpg
Automatic: 38/37 mpg |
MSRP: |
GS: $10,415
SE: $13,915
GLS: $12,565 |
