A decade from now, the 2007 model year in the U.S. market place may be best remembered for the introduction of three new front-wheel-drive subcompacts from Japan’s top three automakers: the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Nissan Versa. All entered the market place in the 2006 calendar year when prices at the corner gas stations reached new highs during the summer season. Timing couldn’t have been better as larger SUVs and V-8-powered vehicles were loosing favor while the attractiveness of vehicles generating 30 or more miles to a gallon of gas were being courted.
While Yaris, Fit and Versa are all new to the market place, other subcompacts have been around for a while garnering a following, most notably the front-wheel-drive Hyundai Accent. Back in 1995, Accent made its debut in the Hyundai lineup as the smallest, most economical vehicle replacing the long-running Excel. In the 2006 model year, Hyundai completely redesigns the Accent sedan with a third-generation makeover just in time to effectively battle the tri of newcomers. In the 2007 model year, Hyundai brings back a redesigned three-door Accent hatchback. No hatchback is available in the 2006 model year. Toyota’s Yaris also comes in a sedan and three-door hatchback while the Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback exclusive. Nissan’s Versa comes in a five-door hatchback or four-door sedan version (the Versa sedan is scheduled to go on sale in a few months). Other popular subcompacts now available on dealer lots include the Chevrolet Aveo and the Scion trio of xA, xB and tC, although the xA and xB are scheduled to cease production in December, to be replaced by new Scion models next year. All of the subcompacts mentioned are assembled outside of the United States.
The subcompact 2006 Accent joins a 2006 Hyundai sedan lineup featuring the compact Elantra, mid-size Sonata and luxury-appointed Azera.
Accent’s 2007 three-door liftback model is available in two trim levels: GS and SE while the up-market sedan version comes solely in a GLS trim in both 2006 and 2007 model years. During the 2006 redesign, the sedan grew longer by 1.8 inches in length and 3 inches taller. Both hatchback and sedan are powered by a 1.6-liter, double overhead cam four-cylinder engine cranking out 110 horsepower. That’s more horsepower than the Toyota Yaris (106 horsepower, 1.5-liter engine) or Honda Fit (1.5-liters, 109 horsepower), but less than the 122 horsepower in Nissan Versa’s 1.8-liter four cylinder powerplant. Both the Accent three-door hatchback and sedan come standard with five-speed manual transmission while a four-speed automatic with overdrive is optional.
Hyundai supplied the Daily Herald with a 2006 Accent GLS sedan with automatic transmission and a starting price of $13,305 (five-speed manual versions check in at $12,455). Several safety features are included in the price, but air conditioning is available as a stand-alone option or part of a ‘premium sports package,’ Accent’s main package option. After factoring in the premium sports package option of $1,500 (including air conditioning, power windows, power outside mirrors and remote keyless entry) and $65 for carpeted floor mats, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price ended at $14,870. A 2007 Accent hatchback starts at $10,415 with manual transmission.
A 2007 Honda Fit starts at $13,850 with manual transmission while a 2007 Toyota Yaris hatchback starts at $11,050 with manual. A Nissan Versa checks in at $12,550 with manual transmission. Prices exclude destination charge.
The Accent sedan comes standard with anti-lock brakes and an impressive six air bags (front seat side air bags along with side curtain air bags covering both rows). Also standard are rear window defroster, tilt steering wheel, compact disc player and deluxe cloth seating. Cruise control is not offered.
With automatic transmission, sedan fuel estimates check in at 28 miles per gallon city and 36 m.p.g. highway. The relatively small 11.9-gallon fuel tank utilizes regular, unleaded fuel.
Inside, the 2006 Accent redesign raised the driver’s seating position by two-inches, which is a welcome addition since drivers don’t feel their too close to the ground now. The large, square rear window provides good viewing from the rear-view mirror. In fact, perception is good in all directions. Accent does an excellent job of providing small storage areas and more-than-enough cup holders. Each door has a lower molded region accommodating a can or small beverage bottle. In addition, there is a two-cup inline beverage holder between the front bucket seats, two cup holders that fold down in back with the arm rest and another holder in between the front seats near the floor accessible by those in back. That’s a total of nine beverage holders for a vehicle that seats four comfortably.
In front of the floor-mounted transmission shifter and hand-operated parking brake was a small region for stowing a cell phone, and a small retractable holding area for handling coins. All four doors have armrests with small cupped designs where loose items may fit. The driver’s seat includes a fold-down arm rest, but the passenger’s seat does not.
With front bucket seats positioned all the way aft, back seat riders have not a lot, but enough leg room. Headroom is good throughout. Second-row seatbacks fold down with a 60/40 split, gaining access to the trunk for increased cargo-carrying space once two pull tabs are lifted up from the top of the backs. The Accent sedan’s rear two doors are large enough and swing out far enough to allow easy access into the second row. Subcompacts from generation’s past sometimes short-changed the width of the rear door, complicating ingress and egress.
A two-color, earth-tone dashboard was functional and easy on the eyes. The instrument panel incorporated two circular analog gauges with a square, digital readout in between and towards the top with odometer and convenient secondary gearshift indicator. The rectangular compact disc/radio combination with six speakers was atop the center dash area surrounded by an oval frame with digital clock on top and air vents to the side. The dashboard’s serpentine design extends out from the center area while grooving in more leg room for front travelers. Three easy-to-operate ventilation dials situate below the stereo. Optional power window, mirror and lock controls are along the front of the driver’s arm rest.
Fuel door and trunk release levers are positioned on the floor to the left of the driver’s seat. Both sun visors in front have illuminated mirrors and short extenders; a nice touch for a subcompact. The ignition cylinder is on the steering column, not the dashboard.
Exterior wise, the Accent sedan has a modern, not overly sporty design with a short, raised decklid and strap-like, body colored handles on all four doors. Side view mirrors are also body colored. Hyundai places the antenna on top and towards the back of the roof. Chrome enhancement are found on the front grille with centered Hyundai “H” logo flanked by large, cat’s eye-shaped headlight housing. In back, large vertical tail light housing is on each side of the trunk lid. Side doors have thin strip molding below the door handles extending from the front to the back doors. Accent’s overall length of 168.5 inches is slightly shorter than the 2007 Yaris sedan, measuring in at 169.3 inches. Nissan’s Versa measures in at 169.1 inches. Honda’s Fit hatchback is the shortest of the four at 157.4 inches.
Accent’s trunk accommodates a usable 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space with a temporary spare tire situating below the flat floor. Goose-neck type interior hinges guide the trunk lid open and close.
One advantage Hyundai has over its Japanese rivals is the warranty duration. Accent is covered by Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile (whichever comes first) limited powertrain warranty. It’s the longest coverage in its segment. Bumper-to-bumper coverage is five-year/60,000-miles. Anti-perforation coverage is seven years with unlimited miles. Accent buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance for five years with no mileage limit which includes emergency towing and lockout service.
The Accent’s suspension system is decent, with the car floating over road imperfections with no jarring repercussions. While competent for a car this size, the engine hesitated when punched from a standing start, the same situation found in the recently tested Honda Fit. Accent remains competent enough to battle head-to-head with the newly arriving trio of well-built Japanese rivals, and is priced close, if not below comparably-equipped models. Accent is an attractive option whether gas is $2 or $3 a gallon. The 2007 Accent sedan is virtually unchanged from the 2006 introduction.
Accent is assembled in South Korea. |