2010 New York: Hyundai jumps into the subcompact sedan race

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK – Lined up directly at the new 2012 Nissan Versa sedan that debuted thirty minutes earlier, Hyundai rolled out the new 2012 four-door trunk version of its new Accent subcompact. The Accent-with-a-trunk will go on sale later this year, along with the new Accent four-door hatchback that debuted at this year’s Montréal auto show.

Except for the more practical rear aperture, the Accent hatchback is mechanically identical to the sedan. That means a new 1.6-litre direct-injected four-cylinder and six-speed automatic gearbox. The result is a hybrid-like  4.7 L/100 km highway fuel consumption.

Comments

[Jay]

This is a picture of the Elantra. What gives?

[Jay]

Well, okay, now it's a picture of the Accent. Let the record show that it wasn't always.

Also, unless I'm mistaken, the 4.7 l/100km figure is based on the NRCAN's test cycle, which is a lot less realistic than the revised EPA numbers. The latter, based on other reports, seem to put it at 5.9 l/100km, or 40 mpg US, rather than the 50 mpg US that the Canadian government numbers would suggest.

Also, given that the Accent's fuel economy is only 1 mpg better in the city and equal on the highway to that of the larger Elantra, it would seem that the only reasons to buy the Accent would be (a) for the more-practical hatchback body style or (b) for the slightly lower price.