CD Article: 2008 Hyundai Accent GL Sport hatchback

[CD_Editor]

Today's Test Drive:
"A very stylish little hatchback for under $18,000," the Hyundai Accent GL Sport nevertheless lacks a few important features that many of its competitors have, namely anti-lock brakes and side and curtain airbags, reports Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson.    
 

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[Rupert]

Good report, sounds very much like our four door which we are very happy with. This would have possibly been a better choice for us if it were out at the time. You know, we dont need the rear seats but we do need the space. I wonder if there are others with this requirement. The rear seats do look a little cumbersome when folded and take up usefull space. Why not offer this as a two seat also, with a nicely finished rear, flat, floor. I suppose that I could take the seats out and modify it. When you think about it, the most popular selling van has this removal as an option although they have gone to stow and go now. We find the power more than adequate, quite perky really and the automatic is a delight. Love the growl.

[jww]

No question, had the GL Sport package included ABS & EBD, we would have gone with that one when we bought my wife's car last January. As it happens, we went with the GL Premium which has the smaller wheels. ABS & EBD , but no leather accenting, which we can live without. It also came with seat warmers - which have now become a must have on any vehicle we will own in the future.

The Accent hatch is alot of fun to drive - especially with the 5-speed manual transmission. We like it alot - even without the rear doors.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The SR took so long to come, and dropped so soon. I didn't think it would sell, and no loss IMO.

But dropping the only model with SABs and not making it an option on the Sport? That's a shame.

JWW, is the Hyundai badge on your steering wheel chromed? Have they reverted back to all plastic?

Otherwise I like the black interior and Accent overall (have had a few of the previous generations in the family), but get the feeling they're a little short of going the full distance vs competitors presently. I'd probably still shop it, but would likely go with a competitor for the safety aspect alone.

[Minou]

The SR took so long to come, and dropped so soon. I didn't think it would sell, and no loss IMO.

But dropping the only model with SABs and not making it an option on the Sport? That's a shame.

JWW, is the Hyundai badge on your steering wheel chromed? Have they reverted back to all plastic?

It's chromed on mine.

[Juke1]

Hyundai has had their sights on safety but not this one. Quoted from the IIHS, frontal is acceptable, side impact is poor.  There are better picks out there.

[jww]

The SR took so long to come, and dropped so soon. I didn't think it would sell, and no loss IMO.

But dropping the only model with SABs and not making it an option on the Sport? That's a shame.

JWW, is the Hyundai badge on your steering wheel chromed? Have they reverted back to all plastic?

It's chromed on mine.

Chrome here too.

[Wolfe]

The SR took so long to come, and dropped so soon. I didn't think it would sell, and no loss IMO.

But dropping the only model with SABs and not making it an option on the Sport? That's a shame.

The SR was supposed to be the sporty version but was nothing more than some interior options and a spoiler, same engine, suspension, etc. as the rest of the line IIRC.

The SR concept that Hyundai showed had a 200hp turbo and was fully kitted out, it looked pretty good. That was all show-car flash, I can't see why they even used the SR designation on the production model.

When the only significant feature which separates the supposed sporty model from the rest of the line is the SABs you've got to think the packaging and marketing was decided on by a committee of accountants.

[Minou]

The SR took so long to come, and dropped so soon. I didn't think it would sell, and no loss IMO.

But dropping the only model with SABs and not making it an option on the Sport? That's a shame.

The SR was supposed to be the sporty version but was nothing more than some interior options and a spoiler, same engine, suspension, etc. as the rest of the line IIRC.

The SR concept that Hyundai showed had a 200hp turbo and was fully kitted out, it looked pretty good. That was all show-car flash, I can't see why they even used the SR designation on the production model.

When the only significant feature which separates the supposed sporty model from the rest of the line is the SABs you've got to think the packaging and marketing was decided on by a committee of accountants.

Heck, it even cost more ($19495. if I recall), than what I paid for my '08 Sonata ($18295.) And my car is 2 notches up in size, engine displacement and general refinement plus all 6 airbags are standard.

The SR just didn't make sense.

[safristi]

"committe of accountants".....which one of U M*******F****  forgot My child support DEDUCTIONS........d'ya NOW in Quebec the Big Mac is called a ROYALE McSQUINTY.....

[Rupert]

Take the back seats out and finish the rear interior nicely; give it another 20hp (No more please) Front suspension tower brace and hood pad, and you have a very nice little practical sports car at a practical price. If you have all the SABS. BABS or whatever around you will be probably more likely to hurt yourself on the seat belts than anything. Oh well I suppose. I think Hyundai have hit a sweet spot here and with a little modular imagination this vehicle can do very well indeed and remember 1=1.