Hartford Courant: Hyundai Accent

For decades most low-budget models never let you forget that you scrimped big time on car shopping. Even now, not everyone has adjusted to the idea that inexpensive small cars don't need to feel cheap.

Fortunately, there's progress on this front. An excellent example is the completely redesigned 2012 Hyundai Accent.

The Accent was the weak link in the revitalized Hyundai lineup. It served as a price leader and offered good value. But it probably made many buyers wish that they could have afforded something more. Buyers of the redesigned Accent, introduced recently as part of Hyundai's 24/7 initiative (which calls for 7 new models in only 24 months) should suffer no such second thoughts.

As with the last generation Accent, the new version comes in two body styles. The four-door sedan returns, albeit with new styling, a new drivetrain and a completely reengineered body structure and suspension system. In other words, about the only things carried over are the model name and position in the lineup.

Also offered is a completely new five-door hatchback that could just as easily be called a small wagon, based on styling and function. Both versions ride on a 101.2-inch wheelbase, but at 172 inches, the sedan is 10 inches longer than the hatchback.

Regardless of the body style, power comes from a new 1.6-liter engine, which is part of what Hyundai calls its "Gamma" family. This motor's high-tech features make the Accent's $14,955 starting price even more remarkable. Try finding a car in that price range that offers variable intake and exhaust valve timing, along with direct fuel injection.

The payoff comes in power output and economy. Power is rated at 138 horsepower, about 20 more than is found in the competition. These competitors also fall short of the Accent's EPA ratings of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 MPG on the highway. Transmission choices are a manual and automatic, both with six speeds. Every Accent has front-wheel drive.

Read More: http://articles.courant.com/2011-12-21/classified/hc-class-auto-1221_1_gls-sedan-accent-s-epa

Chicago Hyundai Accent

REVIEWS: 2012 Hyundai Accent

At the press event, every journalist in attendance kept commending the Accent's size. While it's true that the interior is quite spacious for a subcompact (the EPA rates it as a compact), the Accent still drives like a small car. The short wheelbase -- and relatively stiff suspension of our SE model -- makes the car crash over highway irregularities and skip like a stone on a lake over expansion joints. In the city, the Hyundai performs much better.

Although the Accent may be powerful for its class, it's still rather slow. On the highway this results in tense times when it comes to passing, but around town the little car feels peppy enough. The important thing to remember while driving this car is that the six-speed gearbox is really a five-speed with an extra overdrive. This means you often need to drop down one gear lower than you think you should. For example, if you expect a downshift to fourth to be enough to pass another motorist, think again -- you'll need to downshift at least to third.

Overall, the 2012 Accent is a rather nice small car, with plenty of room and a relatively high-quality interior (although the hard door armrests still suck, and the dash is showing a hairline crack already). But it's still a small car and a bland one at that. Personally, I couldn't justify choosing this over plenty of better used-car alternatives, but if you really want a new car, it's not a bad choice.

Read More: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/editors_notebook/1108_2012_hyundai_accent/index.html

All-New 2012 Hyundai Accent Off to Roaring Start

COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hyundai Accent was America's best-selling sub-compact car in July. "The all-new Accent outsold two great small cars we really respect in July – the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America.  "In fact, it was the best-selling sub-compact in the industry last month, its first full month of sales.  It's a good indication that consumers are connecting with our new design, 40-mpg fuel economy, and the Assurance Trade-In Value Guarantee.  It's a great recipe for this economy."

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091001/HYUNDAILOGO)

Hyundai Accent	6,938	Toyota Yaris	1,391
Nissan Versa	5,359	Mazda2	1,072
Ford Fiesta	5,296	Kia Rio	1,011
Honda Fit	4,857	Toyota Scion xD	715
Chevrolet Aveo	3,349

The 2012 Accent's all-aluminum 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder engine uses the latest engine technology to deliver a class-leading 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque and a best-in-class standard 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway fuel economy rating.

The engine's most notable feature is its use of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), a first for the sub-compact category. By precisely controlling the injection of fuel, GDI allows for better fuel economy, increased power and reduced emissions.

The 2012 Hyundai Accent will be the fourth nameplate in the Hyundai lineup delivering 40 MPG on the highway, including the Sonata Hybrid, Elantra and Veloster, due to arrive in dealerships in a few weeks. Accent's class-leading standard fuel economy is an example of Hyundai's dedication to improving fuel efficiency with advancements to traditional gasoline powered vehicles.

Read More: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/all-new-2012-hyundai-accent-off-to-roaring-start-127282058.html

Hyundai adds 2 models to ride sales momentum in subcompact, midsize segments

Hyundai, which has seen its U.S. sales rise twice as fast as the overall industry, is stocking U.S. dealers with two new cars designed to maintain that momentum in the subcompact and midsize luxury segments.

The 2012 Accent and Genesis, both of which are imported from South Korea, are reaching dealerships now. The Accent, which starts at $15,955 for a four-door GLS, and $16,555 for a five-door hatchback, will be the freshest model in a segment where Ford's Fiesta has gained significant traction. Its competitors include the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.

John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motors America, boasted that every version of the Accent will achieve 40 m.p.g. on the highway, while most competing subcompacts can reach that level only with a specialized engine package.

Accent is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. A direct injection fuel system helps distribute gasoline more efficiently to the engine. Buyers can choose between six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

The new Genesis sedan is offered with a 3.8-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8 or a 5.0-liter V8. The engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The V6 version starts at about $35,000. The 5.0-liter V8 Genesis starts at $47,350 and can range higher.

This fall, Hyundai will launch the Veloster, a sporty coupe powered by the same 1.6-liter engine as in the Accent.

Hyundai has benefited from American consumers' reawakened interest in fuel economy. Krafcik said the new cars Hyundai sold in June averaged 35.7 m.p.g.

"We're already above the government's 2016 standard (35.5 m.p.g.)," Krafcik said. "We're confident we can get our average above 50 m.p.g. by 2025."

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., has challenged an Obama administration preliminary 2025 standard of 56.2 m.p.g. as unreasonable because it could add thousands of dollars to the price of future models and cost jobs at factories now making larger vehicles that might have to be discontinued to comply with that standard.

Though the two new models are imported from South Korea, Hyundai's assembly plant in Montgomery, Ala., is running at full production to keep up with demand for the Elantra and Sonata models. Krafcik said the Alabama factory has expanded its potential annual output from 300,000 to 330,000 cars, partially through overtime and tweaking the assembly process.

Hyundai's Santa Fe SUV is built at the West Point, Ga., plant operated with its sister company Kia Motors America.

Read More: http://www.freep.com/article/20110709/BUSINESS01/107090330/Hyundai-adds-2-models-ride-sales-momentum-subcompact-midsize-segments

USA Today - Hyundai sticks to sales-building script with new Accent

Following sales home runs with revamps of its formerly bland Sonata midsize and Elantra compact sedans, Hyundai used its now-familiar recipe to remake its entry-level subcompact Accent by:

• Making it a bit bigger to be roomier inside.
• Adding features more commonly seen in larger and more expensive cars.
• Using high-tech powertrain upgrades to increase gas mileage, making the new Accent capable of 40 miles a gallon on the highway.
• Amping up its looks in the distinctive new swoopy Hyundai style.

Now Accent, just arriving at dealers, could shake up the subcompact segment populated by rivals such as the Honda Fit and new Ford Fiesta, as well as the Toyota Yaris. Coming soon are a redone Nissan Versa and all-new Chevrolet Sonic.

A bare-bones sedan version, with manual transmission and few amenities, starts at $12,445. That's about $2,000 more than the previous entry model, a base hatchback coupe that's been dropped. The automatic-transmission sedan, which also adds AC and other features, starts at $15,195. Shipping adds $760 to each. A five-door hatchback with a stick starts $14,595 plus shipping.

The old base coupe -- which competed with a special base Nissan Versa to be the cheapest new car in the U.S. -- never sold big because buyers want more features, even at the bottom end of the market, Mike O'Brien, Hyundai America's vice president for product planning, told Drive On at a Southern California intro event.

Accent will test Hyundai's recent record for redesigns that launch with big sales:
The new Sonata midsize sedan took off after its introduction a year ago, and by last month, it was the 13th-best-selling vehicle in the U.S., according to Autodata.

The restyled Elantra compact introduced earlier this year was the 10th-best seller last month, and dealers were having a hard time keeping them in stock. Hyundai has brought in some from South Korean plants to supplement inventory from its Alabama plant, which is running flat out making Elantras and Sonatas.

The Accent, made in South Korea, is Hyundai's third model rated at 40 miles a gallon on the highway, following the Elantra and the Sonata hybrid. A fourth, the new Veloster coupe, is due this fall. The old Accent with manual got just 34 mpg highway.

The new Accent also has a respectable 30 mpg city rating. The higher mileage numbers came through better aerodynamics,a weight cut, low-resistance tires and electric power steering.

Read More: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/07/hyundai-sticks-to-sales-building-script-with-new-accent/1

Hyundai Accent 2011 Edition in India; Price Starts @ Rs. 5 Lakh

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), the country's largest exporter and the second largest car manufacturer, today announced the launch of the Accent 2011 edition. The exteriors of the Accent gets a new look with chrome finish front grille lending a premium look. The body colored waistline molding now comes with chrome inserts to enhance the elegance. Also, the chrome garnish over license plate gives a classic look to the Accent 2011 edition.

Commenting on the new offering, Arvind Saxena, Director, Marketing and Sales, HMIL said, "The Accent 2011 edition comes with elegant styling which makes it more sophisticated and desirable. It is our continuous effort to gauge changing customer preferences and keep introducing new features in our products. We are confident that with the new styling the Accent 2011 edition will become even more popular".

Hyundai Accent 2011 Edition Price in India:

The Hyundai Accent 2011 edition will be available with a special price of Rs 501,900 (ex-showroom, New Delhi)

The Accent which was launched in 1999 has won many awards including top ranks in the prestigious Hyundai Accent has topped the JD Power Asia Pacific IQS for 2002 and the APEAL study for 2001 and 2002.JD Power Asia Pacific ‘IQS' and ‘APEAL' studies. The wooden finish interiors, leather-wrapped gear knob & steering wheel, rear defogger and front & rear power windows come as part of the standard package in the Accent. It is also available with alternate fuel options such as CNG and LPG. Sold in the Indian as well as overseas markets, the highly popular Accent has sold over 3 lakh units.

Source: Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL)

2011 LA Auto Show: New Hyundai Elantra, Veloster, Accent to Debut

Automobile Magazine recently posted information on a trio of Hyundai vehicles scheduled to debut at this year's Los Angeles Auto show.
 

The Elantra, known globally as the Avante, is a major redesign of Hyundai's compact sedan. While specific details on the car are still scarce, we can see that its styling has been thoroughly updated inside and out to bring it in line with the company's latest design language. While sharing some cues with the larger Sonata, the Elantra's styling is more akin to the new Tucson, which isn't a bad thing. U.S.-spec cars are expected to carry new 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines with six-speed manual and automatic transmission choices and go on-sale sometime in early 2011 following the LA debut.

A month later, Hyundai will follow the Elantra with an all-new compact coupe based on the Veloster Concept. Hyundai confirmed to Motor Trend in June that the shooting brake-shaped hatch would make its debut in Detroit and likely hit showrooms by the fall of 2011. The four-seater is expected to carry the aforementioned 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine making a rumored 140 horsepower and good for some 40 miles per gallon. We expect the same six-speed manual and automatic gearbox choices. No name has been confirmed yet, but our sources tell us it won't be "Veloster." A revival of the "Tiburon" name is being considered.

Read More: http://blogs.internetautoguide.com/6681653/manufacturing/2011-la-auto-show-new-hyundai-elantra-veloster-accent-to-debut/index.html

Hyundai Repairs Chicago

2010 Hyundai Accent GLS

2010 Hyundai Accent GLS
M.S.R.P. $15,460
Stock#: 100150
Exterior: WINE RED
Interior: GRAY
Miles: New
Doors: 4
VIN: KMHCN4AC9AU429710
1.6L 4 Cylinder Engine

Hyundai Chicago