Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
The Accent, whether in hatch or four-door form, is an impressive subcompact, easily capable of mixing it up with the bevy of Japanese and domestic entry-level offerings currently available. Along with its sporty styling and strong performance it delivers a nicely finished cabin with high style, good materials quality and better than expected refinement, not to mention the roominess of some compacts.
Make yourself comfortable in the sizable front seats, my GL tester covered in two-tone upholstery that combines woven black cloth on the sides and bolsters with a lighter patterned fabric for the inserts, the latter material adopted for the nicely
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Like the power window switches, the rest of the Accent’s knobs and buttons are of high
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
The sense of quality doesn’t just permeate the mid-grade GL model tested, but base L trim too and of course top-line GLS. That L can only be had with a manual gearbox, although it’s a six-speed manual, which is one more forward speed than most in this segment, while the car also features the same direct-injected, 16-valve, DOHC 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that develops a soul-stirring 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque. My tester featured the six-speed automatic transmission,
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Additional L equipment includes body-colour door handles and mirror caps, just like pricier trimmed variants, a rooftop spoiler, and the same 14-inch steel wheels on 175/70R14 Hankook Optimo tires as GL models, including the identical twinned four-spoke wheel covers that appear like aluminum rims from a few metres away. The only reason I’m a bit chagrined that alloys aren’t standard on the base car is that they’d more easily show off two of the base Accent’s most impressive standard features, rear disc brakes. All competitors include front rotors as standard,
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Additional standard safety kit includes ABS for those brakes, plus electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, as well as electronic stability and traction control that work together with Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) for optimal control no matter the weather or road conditions. Active front headrests protect against whiplash while three rear headrests do likewise for all passengers in back, whereas a full assortment of airbags make sure occupants are as safe as possible from potential impact.
On
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
On that note Accent Hatchbacks using the six-speed manual are rated at 7.5 L/100km in the city, 5.3 on the highway and 6.5 combined, whereas automatic-equipped models get a claimed Transport Canada rating that’s marginally thirstier in
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
As inferred you’ll need to opt for GL trim to access that automatic gearbox, but the move upwards brings a number of improvements that will be welcomed by most despite its slightly higher price tag of $16,299 plus freight. Even before entering you’ll appreciate this model’s remote keyless access, which also combines with an alarm system, while additional upgrades include telescopic steering for better ergonomics, powered windows with driver’s side auto-up/down, heated exterior mirrors, air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted audio, cruise and phone buttons that actuate the Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and upgraded
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
If you want to step the Accent Hatchback up a bit in style and luxury you’ll need to opt for GLS trim, which adds front fog lamps, side mirror-mounted turn signals, 16-inch alloy wheels riding on 195/50 tires, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control with an attractive digital display, and a powered tilt and slide glass sunroof for an asking price of $17,899 plus freight, while the automatic transmission adds $1,250 to either GLS or GL model.
My
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
No matter what hue you choose the Accent Hatchback drives just as well. I’ve already
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
All
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
As noted that passenger area is spacious, with lots of hip and shoulder room plus loads
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Under the rear hatch is a commodious luggage compartment measuring 600 litres (21.2 cubic feet) when the standard 60/40 split seatbacks are upright, while cargo carrying capacity expands to a maximum of 1,345 litres (47.5 cubic feet) when the rear seats are folded forward. It should be noted that they don’t fold completely flat, but rather rise up a bit from the load floor when laid down. This might pose a problem when carrying large items that need to remain perfectly horizontal,
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
While such details are important, at the end of the day styling sells cars and the Accent Hatchback is a great looking five-door. Hyundai’s familiar family look is up front and centre, starting with its unique trapezoidal framed grille, bisected by a body-colour bumper that places a chrome trimmed narrow engine vent at the top and a larger opening below, an attractive set of smaller openings at each side of the front valance looking like brake cooling vents, but in actuality simple plugs to cover where the optional fog lamps go. I’m torn between what I like better, the fogs or faux vents, but either way the Accent’s front end looks good. Its headlight clusters are intricately detailed, worthy of close-up photos on their own, whereas the
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Along with its attractive styling are the other Accent Hatchback attributes already covered, particularly its well designed and quality constructed cabin, intelligently packaged features, impressive performance, good fuel economy and better than average comprehensive warranty spanning five years or 100,000 kilometres. If you’re considering the purchase of a small efficient hatchback with big car roominess and functionality, make sure to test out the Accent Hatchback.
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