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2006-2007 Hyundai Accent
NEW YORK, March 24 -- Over the years, Hyundai and value have become synonymous. Now, with the introduction of the all-new 2006 Accent, Hyundai raises the bar, delivering a higher level of value and sophistication in the small car class.
This third-generation Accent delivers class-leading safety features and a powerful, fuel-efficient CVVT engine, all wrapped in a sleek, new exterior design. The new Accent is also larger in every exterior dimension, which translates into the most interior volume for a sedan in its class. All this provides today's drivers with affordable and reliable transportation that's refined, confident and comfortable.
"The Accent has always been a popular vehicle, but recently, this segment has become highly competitive," said Robert F. Cosmai, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "We believe drivers will once again embrace this all-new Accent with its segment-leading standard safety features, increased interior space, and content that is typically not available in this segment, all of which should accelerate this Accent to the front of the pack."
This new Accent is more elegant than its predecessor with crisp modern lines, distinctive halogen headlights, and larger wheels and tires that combined provide a strong character. Compared to the competition, Accent has a more refined appearance with body-color door handles, mirrors, bodyside molding, and rear tailgate garnish. The roof-mounted rod antenna not only looks good, but also provides exceptional reception.
The new Accent is roomier than the current model and, more importantly, the competition. Compared to the out-going 2005 model, the 2006 Accent is 1.8 inches longer overall, providing 1.5 inches of greater rear legroom. It's 1.0 inch wider, which translates to class-leading rear shoulder room of 53.1 inches. It's 3.0 inches taller, delivering 0.7 inch of greater front headroom. And, it rides on a wheelbase stretched by 2.3 inches. With an interior volume of 104.4 cubic feet, Accent delivers the most interior volume (passenger and cargo) for a sedan in its class.
"We're really moving the needle on interior packaging with the 2006 Accent," said Robert F. Cosmai. "Increasing the height of the vehicle 3 inches and moving the driver's seating position up 2 inches opens up all kinds of room and flexibility in the cabin. We used this to our advantage in the new Accent -- although it's only 1.8 inches longer, it feels like it's moved up a whole class in interior roominess."
The 2006 Accent comes in one well-equipped body style, the GLS sedan. Class-leading safety features include dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and outboard rear seat occupants. Standard side curtain airbags provide an important advantage for Accent owners, as this feature is optional or not available on most models in this class. All Accents come equipped with front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, which are designed to tighten the seatbelt in the event of a collision. All seating positions have adjustable headrests that can assist in the event of a rear accident, and the rear headrests are shingle-style for improved rear visibility.
Under the hood, Accent has the most powerful engine in its class. It's new 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing) delivers 110 horsepower and 107 lbs.-ft. of torque (estimated). This new technology not only enhances power output, it also reduces emissions -- the new Accent is projected to receive Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) certification. It comes teamed with a 5-speed manual transmission, or an optional 4-speed automatic.
The interior design has also moved upscale with a new, distinctive two-tone color scheme. Standard equipment includes an AM/FM/CD audio system with 4 speakers, a convenient tilt steering wheel, 8-way driver's seat with adjustable armrest, driver and passenger vanity mirrors, front seatback pockets, and a versatile 60/40 split fold-down rear seat that has a folding center armrest with dual cupholders. For added comfort, air conditioning and a Convenience Package are available. The Convenience Package includes power windows featuring driver's auto down, illuminated switches on all four doors, and driver's side power window reserve, power heated mirrors, and power door locks with keyless entry with panic, and 6 speakers.
The 2006 Accent features a surprising level of storage. Accent delivers greater trunk space than its predecessor with an additional 0.8 cubic feet of space for a total of 12.4 cubic feet. Accent has plenty of areas in which to store items, too. There's a bottle holder and storage pockets located in every door panel, plus storage trays are located in the front and rear.
"Today's drivers are more demanding, whether they're in the market for a luxury sedan, like our all-new Azera, or looking for maximum value at an affordable price, which the new Accent delivers," said Cosmai, "This is just another example of how Hyundai is responding to the needs of American drivers and providing them with vehicles that are fun to drive and economical to own."
The all-new, affordable Accent delivers a comfortable ride and responsive handling thanks to a front MacPherson strut suspension with coil springs, and a coupled torsion beam rear suspension with coil springs. Unlike some of its competitors, Accent has standard power rack-and-pinion steering for precise feel.
Leave it to Hyundai to deliver everything a small car driver could want, in the form of the all-new 2006 Hyundai Accent.
The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty
As with every vehicle Hyundai sells in the U.S., every 2006 Accent comes equipped with The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty, a package that reflects Hyundai's confidence in the quality of its products.
The Hyundai Advantage includes limited bumper-to-bumper coverage for five years or 60,000 miles, which exceeds the coverage on many cars costing more than twice as much. In addition, Accent buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit) and that service includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses.
Hyundai also provides Accent buyers with industry-leading limited powertrain coverage -- 10 years or 100,000 miles -- and that coverage remains in effect when ownership of the car is transferred to other family members. Even if the car is sold, Hyundai backs Accent's powertrain for 5 years/60,000 miles. Anti-perforation coverage is provided for seven years/unlimited miles. There is no deductible on any of these coverages.
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 660 dealerships nationwide.
Source: theautochannel.com
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2006 Hyundai Accent: Entry-level goes upscale
MARK VAUGHN
Published Date: 12/19/05
On Sale: Now
Base Price: $11,995 (est.)
Powertrain: 1.6-liter, 110-hp, 106-lb-ft I4; fwd, five-speed manual
Curb Weight: 2366 lbs0 to 60 mph: 10 seconds
Fuel Mileage (EPA Combined): 33.4 mpg
What was missing from the old Hyundai Accent? Not too terribly much. It was a fine car for the entry-level new-car buyer who perhaps didn’t expect too much. That being said, the new 2006 Accent is everything the old one was and then some, with a new hatchback configuration, too.
We recently drove the Accent sedan and saw the hatchback model when that car was unveiled at SEMA. While both look poised to please credit-challenged buyers across America, they are also going to be perfect for your au pair or pizza-delivery professional who will have his/her car purchased by an employer. Sedan pricing is expected to start at $11,995.
The new Accent is bigger, weighs a little more, and has just a bit more horsepower, not to mention more standard features than you would expect to find on one of the most entry-level of entry-level cars sold in America. Now that Daewoo has fallen by the wayside, Hyundai (and sister Kia, with its similar Rio) is back as the safety net for low-dollar car buyers in America.
But entry-level is no longer the beer-can-of-death it used to be. This Accent has six (yes, six) standard airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and even brake force distribution. It comes with eight cupholders and triple seals on the doors. And while it seems just yesterday that variable valve timing appeared only on a Martian spacecraft, it rides under the hood of this fine 1.6-liter subcompact.
With the continuously variable valve timing and dual-overhead cams operating four valves per cylinder, horsepower rises from 104 to 110 on the new Accent, while torque holds steady at 106 lb-ft. Variable valves and dohc on the entry-level Hyundai? The world has changed, Kim.
Hyundai expects four-speed automatic transmissions to account for 86 percent of Accent sales.
While bending stiffness is up by 39 percent, you will not want to drop your autocross rig and buy an Accent for SCCA weekends. The handling is safe, but it is not particularly sprightly or fun. The whole thing rides on front struts and a torsion-beam rear—a good choice for keeping the cost down, but not necessarily for keeping lap times low.
Inside, this is not some nightmare with vinyl seats and plastic side windows imported illegally from a Balkan country; the Accent has a standard AM/FM/CD player with six speakers and even a price-be-damned right-side armrest for the driver! Total interior volume (passenger and cargo) is up to 108.1 cubic feet, which Hyundai claims is more than a Honda Civic’s.
Hyundai likes to compare the content level of its new Accent not just with the bottom-of-the-barrel Chevrolet Aveo (nee Daewoo Kalos), but with that of the Scion xA. The Accent competes well with the xA in this area.
We’ll have to wait to see how Accent stacks up contentwise against the coming Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Nissan Versa, which will hit the Hyundai head-on in the marketplace. No doubt these competitors have scoped out the newly equipped Accent and tweaked their standard features list a bit.Competition is good for everyone.
source: AutoWeek
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2006 Hyundai Accent Test Drive
by Philip Powell
Hyundai has totally redesigned its so-called entry-level offering for 2006 with new styling, new interior, more powerful engine, sophisticated suspension, and more standard safety equipment. Unchanged is the impressive 10 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. With a starting price of $11,455 for the GLS, the new Hyundai Accent drives away with top honors in the quality sweepstakes.
First Glance
If fuel prices are ugly, then small is certainly beautiful. Add additional priorities like quality, value for money and driving pleasure, and one might be tempted to suggest that Hyundai's new Accent is downright gorgeous. Never mind that the styling is merely attractive, it's the total package that counts, thus such superlatives are not out of place. The 2006 Accent is North America's new value leader.
Initially only available as a 4-door sedan (a 3-door hatch arrives later) the Hyundai Accent has become what Honda's Civic used to be before it grew in size and price. Everyone's favorite in the economy car category, the Civic looked good, was well-built and best of all, fun to drive. Just ask the kids who turn used Civics into sports compacts. The new Accent takes over where the Civic left off and that, I assure you, is one heck of a compliment.
Compared to the previous model the 2006 Accent offers more interior roominess and remarkably large trunk space thanks to a taller stance. No longer the awkward-looking little appliance it once was, the new Accent has a handsome, rounded profile featuring a roofline that sweeps from hood to trunk in one long curve. Head and taillights make a statement of their own: they're huge.
In the Driver's Seat
Any thoughts of "cheap" fly out the window when you climb into the seat of this little beauty. The dashboard, for example, speaks of quality with its curvaceous, two-tone effect, while instruments and controls are nicely laid out. I especially liked the vertical stacking of (from top) clock, radio, storage, climate controls, more storage. All within easy reach and operable without taking one's eyes off the road. Upholstery, never a highlight with Hyundai, is so good that at first glance I mistook it for Mercedes' famed MB-Tex. Okay, second glance told me it's just cloth but heck — a very nice cloth indeed.
Sightlines - what you can see outside when seated - are excellent all-round, making for a safer, more relaxed journey. The high roof provides easy access and means tall people fit comfortably. Seats adjust manually with the use of knurled knobs and a seatback lever and while I, personally, can live with manual seats, the knobs and lever are placed too far back. Better set 'em and forget 'em. Power windows, mirrors, remote door lock, are standard. Rear seat access is not easy because of the door-line but passengers won't be cramped and they'll appreciate sitting higher than those in front. The trunk is deep and lengthy.
On the Road
Push hard on the throttle and this puppy leaps off its leash like a greyhound. Barks like one, too. (Actually I've never heard a greyhound bark... uh, they do, don't they?) The Accent's 1600 cc, 4-cylinder DOHC engine, with continuously variable valve timing, now produces 110 hp and while it idles quietly and cruises in relative silence, under hard acceleration it definitely makes itself heard; the price of economy yet one you can live with because the bonus lies in responsiveness.
Our tester came with a 4-speed automatic which is more than ample for most folk, however I'll be eager to try the 5-speed manual, especially when the 3-door GSi comes along in 2006.
The 4-speed automatic is EPA-rated at 28/36 mpg, while the 5-speed rates 32/35 mpg. Note the anomoly: the automatic has better fuel mileage on the highway. Don't ask. You won't be breaking any economy records but you won't be breaking your bank account buying gas, either. Remarkably for its price, the Accent has a sophisticated 4-wheel-independent suspension system. Combine this with a wider track, longer wheelbase and larger wheels and tires than its forebears, and you have a small sedan that handles in a sporting manner while still delivering a smooth ride.
Journey's End
Did I mention value? The Accent GLS includes, as well as those features already touted, 6 airbags, 8-way driver's seat, air-conditioning, heated front seats and mirrors, anti-lock braking with electronic brake force, 15-inch aluminum wheels, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with 6 speakers. That, friends, is a lot of car for little money. Especially when you consider the 10-year powertrain warranty and a reputation for quality that's making everyone sit up and take notice; even Toyota is listening. (Note: the car tested was a Canadian GL Comfort model - unavailable in the US - and was not fitted with aluminum wheels.)
I guess by now you're realising I have nothing but praise for the new Accent. It is ideally suited to today's economics, particularly fuel costs, and offers what most drivers - make that most families with two children - need. The interior is roomy, the trunk spacious, the ride comfortable and normally quiet. Those who like to add a little "spirit" to their driving needn't be disappointed, which I can attest to after tossing the Accent around a deserted parking lot, the roads north of Toronto being too straight for a west-coaster. Complaints were few, praise plentiful. Yep, that's value.
~ Philip Powell
Source: cars.about.com
For a great deal on a new or used 2006-2007 Hyundai Accent go to Gary Rome Hyundai. |
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