Saw on www.thecarconnection.com an article on the Detroit Auto Show. One of the cars featured is the 2007 Hyundai Accent 3 door hatchback. 1.6 liter 4 cyl, 110 HP, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, 6 standard airbags. The article said that this particular car could coome in at a bit under $11,500 US, and will be out Spring 2006, like the Fit. There will also be a 4 door version, but it didn't say if the 4 door was a hatchback or sedan. I still think the Fit will STOMP the Accent, just cuz it's a better built car. Do I hear an "amen"? :-)

 

Each new generation Hyundai lately is a 1,000% better than the previous. As quality has improved price has increased. eg. The latest Getz costs as much as a Polo in Europe. Hyundai want to get away from the bargain basement reputation of years past so they can build better cars and they know if they stay there they will get killed by China shortly.

Bad news for the fuel mizers though Hyundais are amongst the thirstiest in their class and with increased power that isn't changing anytime soon.

Hyundai often uses suspension components from Honda so at least part of the car will be good.

Mr T. says "I pity the fool that drives a Hyundai."

 

I'm kinda diggin' the 3 door Accent, I'd definitely take that over a Yaris. And yes, Hyundai's quality has been very well as of late and they're not to be taken lightly anymore. I have a couple of friends and a relative that drives the Elantra GT, rides nice and very well equipped for the price. I had the chance a couple months ago to test drive the newest model v6 Sonata and came out impressed with it. It's not the old Hyundai anymore, every company had their stumbled beginnings and yes, that includes Honda and Toyota.

 

Agreed as stated by all above. Hyundai's autos these days come very well-equiped for the price. Sound system, airbags, ABS, and power everything are increasingly common in this class. One thing that I wish would be more consistent on entry-level models would be the option of cruise-control. You can get it on the low-quality Aveo, but you can't get it on the Yaris, Accent, or Kia Rio.

 

I just got back from a trip to San Diego where I rented a Sonata from Hertz. After a brief stint trying to sell those heaps in 1989, I was surprised by how nice it was. It even had a little trip computer that calculated gas mileage. I am a little heavy-footed, but a two week average of about 20mpg was not good at all.

 

As mentioned above, Hyundai's are gaining market share for their bang for their buck appeal...and J.D. Power Assoc. quality and durability. However, if you buy one be prepared to hang on to it for 10yrs because the 2nd hand demand and price for them are light years away from the the average Honda and Toyota .

I respect their efforts and hunger for marketshare and I would take them over some DUMBMESTIC anyday. They have come a long way in such a short time more than some established automakers still producing shit.

 

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...04277787&EDATE=

Two New Three-Door Models Join the Third-Generation Accent Lineup

CHICAGO, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America unveiled the 2007
Accent lineup at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show today, adding the all-new
three-door GS and SE models to the recently released four-door GLS sedan.
Hyundai's third-generation Accent model lineup is now complete and provides a
strong statement about the company's commitment to the market for
fuel-efficient small cars. Hyundai has sold more than 570,000 Accents since
its introduction in 1994, outselling all of its competitors between 2000 and
2005.
The new Accent lineup is poised for continued success with unsurpassed
standard safety equipment, interior volume and power -- plus 35 custom
accessories that allow owners to express their individual style.(1) The
all-new Accent GLS four-door hit showrooms in December 2005, with the new 2007
three-door GS and SE models scheduled for arrival this spring. The Accent GS
will be priced at $10,915(2) carrying on the Hyundai tradition of exceptional
value. Add in the advantage of America's Best Warranty(TM), including five
years and 60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and a 10-year/100,000-mile
powertrain warranty, and choosing Accent becomes even simpler.
"Our all-new Accent lineup is going to continue to set the pace in the
entry segment," said Owen Koh, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America.
"We welcome the return of Toyota, Nissan and Honda to this segment, and trust
that consumers will see the value and quality advantage that our continuous
dedication to this segment provides."
The new Accents overcome consumers' preconceived notions of compromises
among performance, comfort and safety attributes in an economy car. All
Accents come standard with six airbags, including side air curtains protecting
both front and rear seat outboard passengers. The class-leading
110-horsepower 1.6-liter DOHC in-line four-cylinder engine with Continuously
Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), sport-tuned suspension and 16-inch alloy wheels
with P205/45R16 tires (SE model) enhance the car's fun-to-drive character.
Accent GS and SE have the most interior volume in the three-door segment at
108.1 cu. ft. and more standard features than Chevrolet Aveo and Kia Rio.

CLASS-LEADING ENGINE
Starting with the 2006 models, all Accents have newfound power under their
hoods with a 1.6-liter DOHC in-line four-cylinder engine that features four
valves per cylinder with CVVT. The DOHC and CVVT combination helps to give
the engine a very broad powerband, coupled with high fuel efficiency and low
emissions.
With the better-breathing CVVT, performance has improved. Horsepower now
peaks at 110 at 6000 rpm (an almost six percent increase), and torque is
106 lb.-ft. at 4500 rpm. These numbers put the Accent at the top of its class
in terms of horsepower.

TWO TRANSMISSION CHOICES
For peak performance, all Accents come standard with a five-speed manual
transmission that has lower gearing for quicker acceleration and a sportier
personality. A new shift pattern that relocates reverse ensures smooth
operation. Also available is an optional four-speed automatic transmission
with overdrive lock-up torque converter to maximize fuel economy at highway
speeds. The automatic transmission has new levels of hydraulic control for
quick, precise shifts.

REMARKABLE DRIVING DYNAMICS
Accent was tuned to satisfy unique consumer needs. The GLS four-door was
tuned for comfort, but still feels agile. The GS three-door has a unique
steering rack with increased sporty feel. The SE trim delivers even more
road-holding capability with a sport-tuned suspension featuring 24 percent
stiffer front spring rate and 11 percent stiffer rear spring rate, larger
stabilizer bar (24 mm.), unique strut valving, high performance steering gear
and larger wheels and tires. Accent SE delivers a 70 percent increase in roll
control over the GLS, even exceeding the roll stiffness of the Hyundai Tiburon
SE. To complete the performance package, Accent SE has powerful four-wheel
disc brakes with a four-sensor, four-channel Antilock Brake System (ABS).
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) is integrated into the ABS,
automatically adjusting braking force front to rear based on vehicle loading
conditions.

CLASS-ABOVE INTERIOR VOLUME
The Accent three-door's larger silhouette pays comfort dividends inside,
with the most interior volume (passenger and cargo) in its class. In fact,
the Accent three-door is classified as a "compact car" -- not a subcompact,
which is the classification given by the U.S. government to competitors
including the Toyota Yaris and Scion xA. In fact, at 108.1 cubic feet, the
Accent bests the new Honda Civic coupe in total interior volume by a whopping
12.9 cubic feet, providing an unexpectedly spacious feel.

UNSURPASSED SAFETY FEATURES
The new Accent lineup perfectly illustrates Hyundai's devotion to
passenger safety. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
indicates that vehicles equipped with the combination of seat-mounted side air
bags and head-protecting side air curtains experience a 45 percent reduction
in fatalities in side impact collisions.
That significant life-saving potential is the reason why every Hyundai
Accent has a total of six airbags working in concert with high-tech passenger
restraint systems to provide a comprehensive line of defense in frontal and
side collisions. There are two advanced frontal airbags, plus two front
seat-mounted side-impact airbags. Two roof-mounted side-curtain airbags help
protect the front and outboard rear passengers in side impacts. The Accent's
complete suite of airbags is standard -- a significant life-saving advantage
over competitors like Chevrolet Aveo, Scion xA and Toyota Yaris. Front
seat-mounted side-impact airbags are extra cost options on the xA and Yaris,
and side-curtain airbags are not available on Aveo, and are optional on xA and
Yaris.

PERSONALIZATION
Vehicle personalization is a growing trend, increasingly important to new
car buyers. Hyundai plans to offer more than 35 Accent accessories at launch,
as dealer- or port-installed add-ons, enabling buyers to make their Accent
unique. The accessories will include a ground effects kit, cold air intake
system, metallic shift knobs, aluminum pedals and doorsills, iPOD holder, LED
interior light kit and many others. Factory-installed personalization options
include a 220-watt, AM/FM/6-CD changer premium audio system with six speakers
and Accent's first power sunroof.

WARRANTY
The all-new Hyundai Accent lineup is protected by the Hyundai Advantage,
America's Best Warranty(TM). Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile
bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty,
and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a
subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed
throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and
serviced through 695 dealerships nationwide.

Journalists are invited to visit our news media web site:
http://www.hyundainews.com

(1) Comparisons based on 2007 three-door entry-level segment.
(2) Price excludes destination charges.

Website reports 38 MPG.

New Hyundai Accent website:

http://www.allnewaccent.com/

 

Hate to say it, but the Accent SE model will kick ass with all those standard features. Looks like it will be just under 14K for the SE without adding any other features.

 

14K is a far cry from 11K. Just goes to show that to increase the quality and equipment requires some increase of price. Can't get something for nothing.

Good to see Hyundai discover variable valve timing after how many decades. Cutting edge 4 speed auto transmission just when everyone else is moving to 6 and 7 speed autos or CVT. But hey the factory stereo will play MP3s.

 

I'm estimating it to be under 14K since the Elantra starts just around there. No need to under cut one of their models since the Elantra does sells well here in the States. And the B-segment is starting to get crowded and it's now a pricing war for very equipped vehicle. As for me, I'm just looking to get a vehicle that's a bang for the buck, meaning I want everything without having to shell out more than what I need to pay. And the Hyundai Accent SE is providing that. I'm not interested in the 4 spd auto, I'm more interested in having to shift gears with a clutch.

 

CVT's are not the end all transmission. They may last longer than traditional tranny's, and provide better fuel economy, but when thy break, you might as well part the car out, or sell to a junkyard because the article I read said it can be up to $6000 to fix. I'm glad the Fit doesn't have a CVT.

You sarcasm actually has a very strong point behind it. Yes, they may not have had cutting edge technology in the past, but they are moving in that direction, and all the auto industry pundit's have proclaimed that Toyota, Nissan, and Honda should be watching their back's. Hyundai is knocking on their door. They are a bigger threat than any of the other auto manufacturers.

 

It does, but N.A. doesn't get it.