Autoblog

Hyundai releases 2010 Accent details, pricing, talks up Blue's fuel economy

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Hyundai

2010 Hyundai Accent - Click above for high-res image gallery

The big news for Hyundai's updated 2010 Accent is its increased fuel efficiency. The Korean automaker has managed to improve average miles per gallon by four percent in the city and three percent on the highway by means of low-friction engine internals, aero improvements, low-resistance tires and a so-called "smart" alternator system.

Interestingly, the least expensive Accent for 2010 is the new Blue model, which will start at $9,970 (plus destination) and will be aided by revised transmission gearing and a lowered ride height to manage a combined 31 miles per gallon. Also new on some models is an iPod USB port that both charges the music player and allows for its control through the equally new steering wheel audio controls.

Power for the Accent comes from a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine that features continuously variable valve timing which results in 110 horsepower and 106 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices include a standard five-speed manual (which is rowed with a B&M shifter on SE models) or an optional four-speed automatic. Manual models will get an EcoShift light while autos receive a green ECO light to indicate when the driver is achieving optimal fuel efficiency.

Price? As previously mentioned, the entry-level Blue model can be had for under $10K - allowing it to maintain the title of cheapest new car available in the United States. The least expensive Accent with an automatic transmission goes for $12,995, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, top-of-the-line SE three-doors start at $16,995. Add an extra $720 for shipping, regardless of trim. Click past the break for the complete press release.

Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Accent

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai releases 2010 Accent details, pricing, talks up Blue's fuel economy

Hyundai releases 2010 Accent details, pricing, talks up Blue's fuel economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS tests roof strength on microcars, Smart Fortwo comes out on top

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Safety, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, Mini, Smart, Toyota

IIHS microcar roof tests - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just tested the latest batch of the smallest cars on the market to determine the strength of their roofs in the event of a rollover accident. Coming out on top with a "good" rating was the Smart Fortwo, which isn't all that surprising - due in large part to the runabout's diminutive size, Daimler put lots of effort into the design of its so-called Tridion safety cell.

Somehow, we're equally as unsurprised that the Chevy Aveo scored the lowest of the six automobiles tested. Chevy's least expensive car earned a "marginal" rating from the Institute. Sitting in between those two bookends were the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Mini Cooper, and Toyota Yaris, all of which scored "acceptable" ratings.

It's interesting to note that the Smart Fortwo fared quite a bit better in this kind of test than in the Institute's series of frontal offset crash tests versus a Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan. Click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: IIHS microcar roof tests

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading IIHS tests roof strength on microcars, Smart Fortwo comes out on top

IIHS tests roof strength on microcars, Smart Fortwo comes out on top originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh, it's on! Hyundai Accent regains Cheapest Car in America title

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hyundai, Nissan

Less than a month after Nissan announced its $9,990 blue-light-special Versa Sedan 1.6, Hyundai has one-upped them. Or should that be one-downed? The 2009 Hyundai Accent has regained the title of Cheapest New Car in America with a starting price that undercuts the Nissan by a Jackson. Priced at $9,970, it is now the least expensive new car on the market. And Hyundai didn't reduce content to get the price down. It's essentially the same Accent you could have bought last month, just with a lower MSRP.

That's a hard deal to pass up, but that's not all bargain shoppers! Act right now and you'll be getting some free peace-of-mind, as well. According to the most recent J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, it's also the "Most Dependable Sub-Compact Car" on the market. With Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty and 5-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance protection, it tops the Nissan there, as well.

The $9,970 pricetag applies to the 2009 Accent GS 3-door with a manual transmission, which comes with a 110-hp 1.6-liter four-banger, power steering, airbags all around and even a tire pressure monitoring system. If you absolutely have to have an automatic or four doors, however, the price jumps quite a bit. The Accent three-door with automatic transmission starts at $12,070; the Accent GLS 4-door with a manual transmission starts at $12,920; and the "sport-tuned and comprehensively equipped" Accent SE 3-door with manual transmission starts at $15,070. Freight adds $695 to each. So we'll call this one the cheapest hatch in America and the Nissan gets to keep cheapest sedan honors, for now at least.
[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Oh, it's on! Hyundai Accent regains Cheapest Car in America title

Oh, it's on! Hyundai Accent regains Cheapest Car in America title originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2008 Hyundai Accent SE

Dan Roth — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Budget, Hatchback, Hyundai

2008 Hyundai Accent SE - Click above for high-res image gallery

Dismal little car. That's what you'd hear 20 years ago when the conversation turned to Hyundai. The Excel wasn't as terrible as a Yugo, or even as horrifically unreliable as sneering Peugeots, but it wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms. Back then, even Japanese brands were still targets of xenophobia; who was this Korean company trying to fool?

Hyundai persevered, and now the South Korean industrial giant is making vehicles that garner good recommendations and carry one of the best warranties in the business. Hyundai's Accent could be considered a spiritual successor to the unloved Excel, and it carries on that car's basic formula of delivering a comparable car for less money than the competition. What do you give up to get a car that's not stripped, yet still cheaper?

Gallery: Review: Hyundai Accent SE

Continue reading Review: 2008 Hyundai Accent SE

Review: 2008 Hyundai Accent SE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS: In crash, Versa good, Rio, xB not so much

Chris Tutor — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

Due to the popularity of small, fuel-sipping cars, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has smashed up some of the newest offerings. And, as if you needed further proof to get optional side air bags on your next car, the minimally-bagged Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Scion xB and Toyota Yaris all got poor ratings while the Nissan Versa and Honda Fit, both with standard side airbags, and the Yaris with optional side bags, got top ratings in side crash testing

The Accent and Rio both come with standard air bags, but the tests showed significant driver injury was possible. Pity the xB owners who don't even have a choice of side air bags. The IIHS said that during testing, the xB's dummy's head actually struck the crash barrier. That's gotta hurt.

The IIHS also mangled a 2006 MINI Cooper and a Chevy Aveo with standard side bags. The MINI got an acceptable rating, while the Aveo scraped by with a marginal, just above poor.

Despite the Fit's remarkable side crash results, the Honda's front airbag didn't perform properly during the frontal crash. Honda says Fit owners can expect a recall to address the airbag's early-deployment.

For an IIHS summary of all the small cars tested, click here. For an IIHS summary video, go here.

[Source: The New York Times, The Associated Press via wcnc.com]

IIHS: In crash, Versa good, Rio, xB not so much originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai announces Accent pricing, adds a hatchback

Erin Mays — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Hyundai

Hyundai will add a hatchback accent to its lineup for 2007, coming in at just a smidge less expensive than the sedan. The hatch starts at $10,415 (plus destination) for the GS with a standard five speed manual transmission, and the SE, which is tricked out with ABS, more airbags, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, power windows and locks, and a stiffer suspension, starts out at $14,495. The GLS sedan starts at $12,565. Automatic transmission is $1,000 extra on all models, and the hatch, as well as the sedan, comes standard with front, side-impact and side curtain airbags.

The move may help put Hyundai in the running with the likes of the new Nissan Versa, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, ideally pulling the Accent out of the hole that has its sales down 34.9 through May over the same period in 2005.

[Source: PRNewswire, Automotive News]

Hyundai announces Accent pricing, adds a hatchback originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jun 2006 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Polo GTI goes on sale in Britain

Chris Paukert — Mon, 15 May 2006 15:04:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Europe, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen's baby GTI, based on the Polo supermini has just gone on sale in the UK. Boasting a force-fed 1.8-liter 20-valve four cylinder and a full compliment of creature comforts and safety features, the top-rung Polo rings up at £14,810 out-the-door (a stout $28,000 USD), but bearing in mind Britain's higher vehicle prices and taxes, the price is competitive. The plain-jane Polo has been on sale in Blightly since February.

With the arrival of a slew of new or revamped subcompacts with Asian bloodlines (Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Aveo, etc.) in American showrooms, can a small VW be far behind? If the Polo GTI is any indication of what's in the offing, we hope the company fast-tracks the whole works.

[Source: MotorTorque at AskAPrice.com]

VW Polo GTI goes on sale in Britain originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 May 2006 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Guide, Edmunds review Honda Fit

Joel Arellano — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Honda

Both Consumer Guide and Edmunds have published new reviews of the Honda Fit, which went on sale this weekend.

The Consumer Guide report found the tested Sport's version to be comfortable for the vehicle's class. Steering was surprisingly agile, though there was some body lean. The 109 horsepower engine definitely required planning on the driver's part when making a lane change. Driver seating, interestingly enough, is actually higher than the bigger Civic model.

The Edmund review found a surprising amount of room inside despite the exterior's diminutive dimensions. Part of this is due to the vehicle's fuel tank placement. Their staffers really liked the reclining rear-seat headrests. As for driving, testers liked the manual shifter, though the automatic version seemed to have more 'zip' than its self-shift sibling. Testers also found the Fit to be balanced and stable on the road and track (similar to the Consumer Guide report). Their biggest complaint was the 10.8 gallon fuel tank, though the Fit did average 32 miles per gallon.

Full details can be found here (Consumer Guide) and here (Edmunds). Additional Autoblog coverage can also be found here and here.

[Sources: Consumer Guide and Edmunds]

Consumer Guide, Edmunds review Honda Fit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Apr 2006 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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