Hyundai Accent Review
| Ratings |
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| Overall: |
 
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| Comfort: |
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| Performance: |
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| Quality: |
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| Appearance: |
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| Comments |
Favorite feature: |
low price / large capacity |
Least favorite feature: |
clutch / shifter (manual transmission) |
Advice to buyer: |
get the bigger engine (GS, GL) if you drive in the mountains |
Detailed review: |
I was replacing an '89 Mazda 323 I had bought new for around $7000 and had no trouble with for years, and was looking to replace it with something equally inexpensive and reliable after I finally wore it out. My only special requirement was carrying lots of cargo (musical equipment).
I didn't check out the few lower priced options (Kia & Daewoo, notably) as I had heard nothing but bad things about them. My tests of the cars I did look into had as much to do with seeing how I could fit my gear in the back as with driving it. So don't look to me for comments on subtleties of the driving experience. On the other hand, since I've owned the Accent for several months now, I can say a few more things than I could have after just a test drive.
Some things I have noticed worth mentioning:
- The drivers seat is surprisingly well-designed and comfortable to me. Puts some much more 'luxurious' cars to shame.
- The front passenger seat is not bad either. It's a small car, though, and the seats are rather close together.
- Koreans must not drink as much as Americans. Beverage holder is disappointing.
- The split fold-down back seat was one of the selling points of the GS for me over the base model, but I find the engine power of the GS only barely sufficient for driving up in the mountains. I wouldn't want to do it regularly with the smaller engine of the base model, especially loaded down with music gear.
- The car is much quieter than I was led to expect. Of course, my expectations were set by my old 4-speed 323.
- From the front at least, opening the window creates relatively little 'wind'. Something about the aerodynamics of the car, I guess.
- Gas mileage is excellent; sometimes better than advertised (I've gotten up to 40 mpg). AC definitely lowers it, though.
- I wish there was a way to open the vents without running the fan; this is how I prefer to drive in most (Colorado) conditions.
- Clutch (I chose manual) took some getting used to, and I still struggle a bit with the shifter, especially going into reverse. But I was happy to be able to find a manual at all.
- I ended up replacing the built-in stereo with a third-party CD player, but I sure miss the design of the original radio/cassette deck. Very nicely laid out controls.
When all is said and done, I find the Accent more than meets my needs. During my test drives, nothing about any of the other makes I tried made them worth the extra price to me, and nothing I've experienced since has made me regret my choice. |
Also considered: |
2002 Toyota ECHO
2002 Mazda Protege
2002 Ford Focus
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Vehicle purchased: |
2002 Hyundai Accent
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| About This Reviewer... |
Name: |
Marc Sabatella |
Email address: |
marc@outsideshore.com |
Location: |
Wheat Ridge, Colorado |
Other vehicles owned: |
None
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Review submitted: |
October 06, 2002 |
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