Two decades ago, the thought of owning a Korean subcompact saloon (or any Korean-made vehicle, for that matter) was a depressing one. Back then, both Hyundai and its sister company, Kia, were panned for their designs and build quality.
Those days are long gone, however, for Hyundai models today are known not just for their looks but their performance as well. The Elantra saloon, for instance, is more than a match for the current Honda Civic. Meanwhile, the flagship Genesis limousine has not only earned plaudits, it was also named the “Best 6-cylinder Luxury Saloon” at the 2014 ST-Torque Awards.
Now, if the range-topping Genesis is this exceptional, how good (or bad) is the Accent, the brand’s entry-level model in Singapore?
Style-wise, it looks very similar to its larger Elantra sibling, except when viewed from behind. Its rear end is a lot plainer compared to the Elantra’s, which has swishier tail-lights.
Settle into the driver’s seat and you’ll find that the cockpit isn’t as spartan as expected. Instead of black plastic all around, the hi-fi unit is trimmed with a more pleasant metal applique, while the gearshift lever is surrounded by shiny black plastic for a classier feel.
What we would rather have, though, are steering-wheel controls for the audio system, which would have enhanced convenience. However, the overall build quality is better than in some rivals such as the Chevy Sonic, which we also reviewed in this issue.
Also better than expected is the backseat. Thanks to the flat rear floor, there’s plenty of legroom for adults to stretch out. There’s also a full-sized headrest for the middle occupant and doorbins for loose items, but strangely, there’s no netting behind the driver’s seat for storage.
Unlike other subcompact rivals such as the Honda City and Nissan Almera, which are powered by 1.5-litre engines, the Accent is equipped with a 1.4-litre unit. Although said powerplant only produces 100bhp and 133Nm, delivery is progressive and the motor doesn’t sound breathless. In fact, the Accent does the century sprint a second quicker than the Chevy Sonic, whose engine produces similar output figures.
On the go, this Hyundai impresses with its well-damped ride and tidy handling. It isn’t particularly agile, but it makes up for this by offering decent comfort via its quiet cabin and effortless steering, which makes manoeuvring through multi-storey carparks a breeze.
But the real surprise here is its CVT gearbox, which is so smooth that it managed to fool this writer (and several Hyundai salespeople) into thinking it was a regular 6-speed automatic.
Throughout our two-day test-drive, it did not exhibit any of the typical CVT traits when pushed. There was no whine or “rubber band” feel. If all CVTs were like this, driving enthusiasts would be more willing to accept them.
The Accent might not have sharp handling or a lot of amenities. But by accentuating its positive traits, which include a seamless drivetrain, well-made cabin and reasonable pricing vis-a-vis its rivals, it makes the thought of owning this subcompact saloon a cheerful one.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE 1368cc, 16-valves, inline-4
MAX POWER 100bhp at 6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 133Nm at 4000rpm
GEARBOX CVT with 6-speed override
0-100KM/H 11.8 seconds
TOP SPEED 185km/h
CONSUMPTION 17.5km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 136g/km
PRICE INCL. COE
$104,999 (after $10k CEVS rebate)
