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01/12/2008
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Accent is a small-to-medium South Korean car aimed at the no-nonsense buyer. The person not particularly into image, style or prestige, but who is simply looking for sensible transport. Something that is reliable and trouble free for years on end.
Introduced to Australia in June 2000, the Accent was the successor to the very popular Hyundai Excel. Indeed the name ‘Accent’ had been used in other markets for several years on the models called ‘Excel’ in Australia.
 Hyundai's Accent is a pleasant enough car to drive. Handling is accomplished without being truly sporty and the feel through the steering is good. There's a fair bit of understeer if you push hard, a keen driver will find this quite acceptable, if not exactly exciting. As is often the way, a good set of tyres can really improve things.
There's good interior room for its class and we know of more than one family with young children who are happy with an Accent as a full-on family car. The boot is roomy and easy to use and has a good shape that’s reasonably easy to load.
A couple of years after the launch of the Accent, Hyundai brought in another, smaller, car in the Getz. Though not quite in the same class, buyers tended to choose the Getz against the Accent. Probably because it had a fair bit more style and character so looked good in the driveway as well as being a fair bit cheaper. Frankly, the arrival of the Getz didn’t do the Accent a lot of good in the sales race.
So, towards the end of 2002 most of the upmarket Accent models were pulled off the Australian market. At the same time the sedan version was taken off the import list so the only bodies on offer were hatchbacks. However, the sedan made a return in May 2006 with the introduction of the new Accent model.
In September 2003 the Accent received a facelift to move it away with the somewhat bland look of the original model. This latter is proving more popular on the used scene and it’s worth paying the extra to get one.
At the time of the 2003 body revamp, the Accent’s engine was increased in size from 1.5 to 1.6 litres. Performance from the new 78 kW unit made the small-medium Hyundai reasonably zippy on the road. Still not really sporting, but the car became more pleasant to drive, with shorter overtaking distances and the ability to climb hills with fewer gearchanges.
 Gearbox options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic. The manuals are generally good in their gearchanges but can bind up at times for no obvious reason. Automatics do sap a fair bit of engine power in a car of this size and are probably best left to those who do a lot of heavy-duty commuting in serious traffic.
Hyundai’s build quality, which was a bit hit and miss in the company’s earlier years, was on the improve by the time the Accent arrived. Check for fit and finish of internal components during your test drive. Anything that squeaks and/or rattles should be treated with suspicion.
Having said that, the main structure of the Accent generally holds up well when subjected to the rigours of rough Aussie roads.
These days Hyundai is well and truly established as part of the Australian automotive scene. The dealer network is large and widespread, though as is often the way in a car in this class, representation in the outback can be on the sparse side. We have heard of no real complaints about the cost of servicing or spare parts.
The Accent is a simple design and has good underbonnet space, so it’s easy enough to work on. A lot of routine work can be done by a good home handyperson, though safety related items should be left to the professional. It’s always a good idea to have a workshop manual on hand before starting your own servicing and repair work.
Insurance charges are moderate and there doesn’t appear to be a great deal of difference between companies as to the premiums they charge. Shop around but, as always, make sure you are doing a full apples-with-apples comparison before making your final choice.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Rust isn't normally a problem, but look at all the lower body areas and around the front and rear windscreens to be safe. Any cars we have seen with rust in their bodies have been poorly repaired after crashes.
 Do an engine check for easy starting and smooth idling. Where possible this should be done with the engine cold, preferably after it has been sitting overnight.
Feel for a manual gearbox that baulks during fast gearchanges, especially the three-two downchange.
Turn the steering wheel all the way from one side to the other whilst travelling at a very low speed and listen for clunking noises near the front wheels. These probably indicate the universal joints are worn.
Look over the interior, including the boot, for signs of rough usage. This may indicate the complete car has been treated harshly, or it may just be that the kids have run amuck from time to time.
HOW MUCH?
Expect to spend from $4000 to $7000 for a 2000 Accent 1.5-litre three-door; $5500 to $9000 for a 2003 1.6-litre three-door; $8000 to $12,000 for a 2005 1.6-litre five-door; $10,000 to $16,000 for a 2006 1.6-litre sedan; and $11,000 to $17,000 for a 2007 SLX 1.6-litre sedan.
CAR BUYING TIP
When considering a low-cost car be aware that it may have belonged to someone who was struggling to get together the price of routine servicing. So check that logbook…
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