Hyundai Accent was a popular seller in Australia from the fourth generation onwards launched in July, 2011
It had been reasonably well made prior to then, but real improvements in quality were made at that time with the Koreans rapidly becoming known for the excellent way their cars were being made.
Hyundai was smart enough to do its research of the Australian market and realised that drivers in this country are keen on the way their cars handle.
So the Accent, and other Hyundais, has Australian-developed suspension tuning.
We have seen Accents reach 200,000km without any major problems.
They had obviously been driven sensibly and serviced by the book at Hyundai dealerships.
Ask to see the full service records to check where the work has been done and if it had been done on time, either according to distance covered or the time the work was scheduled.
Keep in mind that cars used mainly for short trips should have had the work done on a time, not distance basis.
In fact, engines that have been run cold for much the time on numerous very short trips will wear out faster than those running big miles with the engine at the best temperature.
These are relatively small cars but there’s good interior room for families with pre-teen children.
The boot is roomy and easy to use and has a good shape that’s simple to load.
Power comes from a naturally-aspirated petrol engine of 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6 litres, with the 1.6 being offered in two stages of tune, with a more powerful unit in the Sport model.
There’s also a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel which costs more but uses less fuel.
This sort of engine has never been popular in cars in Australia, but is well worth checking out if you’re doing a lot of driving.
For trips on the open road, you can get fuel consumption under 5.0L/100km without having to put any special effort into your driving technique.
Around town consumption can rise quickly if you accelerate hard to keep up with other cars away from the lights. So, forget about those silly drag races…
Hyundai Accent is offered with six-speed manual and an automatic transmission.
Most of the automatics are torque convertor units, but the 1.4 engine is paired with a CVT unit.
The Accent is a simple design and has good under-bonnet space, so it’s quite easy to work on.
A lot of routine stuff can be done by a good home handyperson.
Having a workshop manual on hand is a smart move.
But always leave safety related items to the professional unless you really know what you are doing.
Hyundai is a well-established in Australia. The dealer network is large and widespread.
There aren’t as many once you get away from the major cities, but the numbers are increasing due to the ongoing popularity of Hyundais.
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 be sure you are doing a full apples-with-apples comparison before making your final choice.
Also remember that if you have a claim that may be marginal for any reason the insurance company will respect long-term users of their product.
Accent was discontinued in April, 2019 and was effectively replaced by the Venue SUV as Hyundai’s cheapest model.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Hyundai Accents generally hold up well on rough Australian roads, but listen for squeaks and rattles from the body. Also, for trim movement inside the cabin during your test drive.
Look over the interior, including the boot, for signs of rough usage.
Check the engine starts promptly and idles smoothly. Ideally this should be done with the engine cold after it’s been sitting overnight.
While travelling at a very low speed turn the steering wheel all the way from one side to the other and listen for clunking noises near the front wheels. These probably mean the universal joints are worn.
An automatic transmission that holds onto gears to long or skips up and down unnecessarily, may be due for a major overhaul.
Feel for a manual gearbox that baulks during fast gearchanges, especially during the three-two downchange.
HOW MUCH?
Expect to pay from $2,900 – $6,550 for a 2011 Hyundai Accent Active; $3,650 – $7,450 for a 2012 Premium; $5,150 – $9,150 for a 2015 Elite or a 2016 Active; $8,700 – $12,950 for a 2017 Active; and $7,800 – $11,900 for a 2019 Sport.
CAR BUYING TIPS
Take a friend with you when shopping for a used car.
That way they can keep the chattering sales person at bay while you check out the car without interruptions.
Used car prices have generally increased during the period of new car stock shortages.
Start looking at adverts for used vehicles several months before you intend buying.
That way you can get a feel for the price being asked and whether they are rising and falling, as dealers need to clear stock due to overcrowding.
Keep an eye on adverts for new cars that say there are specials on particular models.
This can lead to a lot of traded-ins taking up too much space in yards and they will be discounted to get rid of them.
Keep an eye open for ads of unpopular cars, as there can vary greatly in price.
Owners struggling to find a buyers may be forced to grit their teeth and drop their asking price.
If checking a used car at a dealership look at other cars on the lot.
This can provide an insight into the quality of the vehicles in which the dealer specialises.
If buying privately ask for proof of ownership and make sure the insurance covers you for taking a test drive.
Take a slow walk around any car you’re considering, looking for obvious defects.
It amuses us how many people dive into tiny details, only to discover later a major ding somewhere on the other side of the car.
Ideally any road test of a car you’re getting serious about should be done with the engine stone cold. Early morning is best.
If you’re serious about buying a vehicle, tell the seller you would like to take it for a good long test drive.
If they insist on coming that’s understandable, but try to avoid them “selling” the car to you.
Put bluntly, ask them to shut up,
In their later years, cars with a reputation for being long lived and trouble free sometimes attract buyers who have no intention of ever servicing them.
The next owner may suffer as a result.
RECALLS
To browse recalls on all vehicles go to the ACCC at: www.productsafety.gov.au/products/transport/cars/