Hyundai Accent-uates the extras

Hyundai's rise to the top of the Canadian car market has been nothing short of spectacular. It's now number two overall.

This relatively young Korean automaker first got your attention with great value vehicles, then built on that success with solid reliability, and then added imaginative styling flare. Today, it's surging to the fore with cutting edge technology.

Ten years ago the Accent accounted for 40 per cent of all Hyundai Canada sales, and last year that figure was cut down less than 14 per cent. Not because this entry-level little car has had a dramatic slip in popularity, but rather because Hyundai now offers a wider range of very successful products, including the Sonata, Santa Fe and the newly redesigned Elantra.

Like the company it represents, the all-new fourth-generation 2012 Accent has matured, yet it still offers amazing subcompact value. It comes in both four-door and five-door body styles that offer compact class (one size up), interior room, fantastic fuel economy and some very impressive new technology features.

Accent's all-new 1.6-litre GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine can be paired with either a new six-speed automatic or the standard six-speed manual transmission. Highway fuel consumption is a phenomenal 4.8 litres per 100 kilometre, and as Hyundai Canada CEO Steve Kelleher repeatedly pointed out during the launch here in Sin City, "there's no -extra cost, special, high fuel efficiency version!"

Accent does, however, come with a new ActiveECO feature that, according to Hyundai, drivers can achieve an additional seven per cent increase in real-world fuel economy. Turning on ActiveECO modifies both engine and transmission functions, smooths out throttle response and extends highway driving range to 915 km.

In addition to best-in-class fuel economy, Accent also claims bestin-class power, plus a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio. The new 1.6-litre engine, which has dual variable valve timing and variable intake induction, can deliver 138 horsepower and 123 lbs.-ft of torque.

The list of standard safety features is also impressive and includes: fourwheel disc brakes, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and six standard airbags. Although one of the lightest vehicles in its class, the Accent is designed to absorb severe frontal impacts, with high-strength steel accounting for 45 per cent of its body structure.

These guys certainly do know metal. Hyundai is now the only major automaker that also makes the steel that goes into its vehicle bodies. They also do a great job of bending it into attractive shapes.

Like the other new wave of Hyundai design vehicles, the 2012 Accent benefits from this sleek styling exercise to give it a slippery 0.30 coefficient of drag. I especially liked the five-door model, which comes with a sporty trunk lid-mounted spoiler and its extra-large, distinctive tail lights really make it stand out from the crowd.

The new Accent rides on a longer 2,570 mm wheelbase (an increase of 70 mm) and is also 5 mm wider than the outgoing model. While Hyundai continue to market the new Accent as a subcompact, it's actually now classified as a compact by Natural Resources Canada, based on its larger interior volume.

You also get more for your money than is reflected in its price tag. Hyundai claim there's $1,400 in extra equipment in the base 2012 Accent Sedan L, which is listed at $13,199. The new 5-door Accent replaces the 2010 model 3-door Accent, yet has the same base price of $13,599.

Other trim levels are GL and GLS and prices top out at $17,999 for the sedan. The five-door is an additional $400.

So, let's tally this up: two extra doors, one or two extra gears, four extra airbags and bunch of active safety features. That's good value!

No doubt about it, Hyundai still views the subcompact segment as an extremely important one. Capturing the entry level car buyer is seen as crucial to the future success of the company and the new Accent is destined to achieve that goal.

Bob McHugh is a freelance automotive journalist, writing on behalf of BCAA. Contact him at mchugh@ shaw.ca

Date posted: July 6, 2011