Hyundai Accent petrol review

Joel Helmes has filed this Hyundai Accent petrol review.

I must admit writing reviews of cars that are what you would call “run of the mill” are the hardest.

Joel Helmes has filed this Hyundai Accent review.

The Hyundai Accent is what I would call a reasonably good little car, it’s nothing to get excited about and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Let’s be honest, generally the people who walk into a Hyundai dealership and ask to look at an Accent aren’t going to be expecting anything more than a good little reliable, efficient runabout with a few creature comforts.

And that is exactly what it is.

You get the choice of three different trim levels ranging from the Active, up to the Elite and then the Premium.

There are two options in the engine department in the Hyundai Accent line-up – a 1.6 litre petrol or a 1.6 litre turbo diesel.

I had a week in the mid-spec petrol model fitted with a five speed manual transmission.

One thing that I found really fascinating with the Accent was the steering. This car is built on basically exactly the same platform as the Kia Rio, the Rio however (just like most other Kia models) has significantly heavier steering.

In fact the Accent’s steering is probably as light, or lighter than just about any other car I have driven – it’s so light in fact that you can comfortably turn the wheel with one finger!

The steering also feels a little more sensitive than the Rio, for me coupled with the effortless power steering it’s perhaps feels just a touch too sensitive.

The petrol engine is a little sluggish down low in the revs but picks up nicely when the Accent is at speed.

Fuel economy is very good, a combined 6.0 litres per 100.

The ride in the Hyundai Accent can only be put one way – it’s OK.

A few of the positives that stood out to me include the large wing mirrors which are a great feature if you are looking at this car for an inexperienced driver.

There’s impressive front leg room and adequate rear leg room, boot space is also pretty good.

The dashboard is nicely laid out and all the controls are nice and easy to use.

You have to take into account the Accent’s relatively low price tag when you look at a few areas which are a little sub-par, these include firm and flat seats, acres of hard plastic in the cabin, and “tinny” feel in the doors.

The Hyundai Accent doesn’t yet have an ANCAP safety rating but all models come standard with ABS, front, head and side air-bags, electronic stability control, traction control, and Electronic Brake Force Distribution.

In summary the Accent is just a car, nothing more nothing less, it’s nothing to get excited about but it also won’t offend.

For me personally I would probably look a little closer at the Kia Rio, it felt like a nicer package when I reviewed it recently (you can check that review out here), I would also consider the diesel engine option as well.

Check a Hyundai Accent out for yourself and let us know what you think.