7 February 2011
Remember when popsicles were 20 cents? No - okay. How about a slightly less archaic point in history... Remember when Hyundai's were cheap cars?
Fact is the Korean carmaker is well and truly shrugging off its once "budget car" persona. No one could rightfully deny Hyundai vehicles have come leaps and bounds from the less than remarkable Stellar, Pony or even more recent Atos days.
While Hyundai has boasted a good track record of reliability for some time; ten - or lets face it - five years ago few would've foreseen the brand would soon be producing vehicles that were worthy rivals to many Japanese automakers, let alone a European one.
The Getz hinted at Hyundai's abilities, it was the most popular small car of 2004. But some could argue that was still due to the inexpensive run-about appeal of the Getz, rather than a genuine standout quality.
In our minds, 2005 was when Hyundai made the biggest leaps in quality and status with the current generation Sonata; winner of its class in last year's AA Motoring Excellence Awards. And now Hyundai sports two, $50k+ vehicles in their line-up. The luxury spec Grandeur, and the new seven-seat Santa Fe SUVs.
Despite excellent build quality and stocked specification; a touch of badge snobbery and love it or hate it styling has perhaps put paid to the Grandeur's hopes for serious chart success. Not so for the multi award-winning Santa Fe however, which has proven to be nothing short of a barnstormer for the brand.
So popular in fact is the Santa Fe it's superb diesel variants, that start at the not exactly paltry sum of $49,990 ($51,490 for the seven-seater) they have become the country's biggest selling of all diesel vehicles year to date, having only been on sale since June.
Speaking at the recent press launch of Hyundai's smart new Elantra and Accent models, Hyundai New Zealand's Managing Director, Philip Eustace enthusiastically validated the shift in the manufacture's ethos.
"Hyundai is not a 'cheap' brand anymore, we have quality and that comes at a cost. We applaud Hyundai for the move in this direction."
Eustace recognized a change in how the brand is perceived would be necessary, but added Hyundai were finding their customers very accepting of the upgraded image.
Based on our brief drive of Hyundai's newest stable mates, the claims seem far from just marketing hype. The all-new Accent and Elantra's are without question far removed for the humble, fleet orientated motoring their predecessors offered.
With the choice of either a 1.6 litre DOHC petrol, delivering 82kW @ 6000rpm and 145Nm of torque @ 4500rpm or a smooth 1.5 litre turbo diesel (from Jan 1st) with 81kW @ 4000rpm and 235Nm from 1900 - 2750 rpm the new Accent's Euro IV compliant engines are among the most powerful in the small car class. We found the petrol adaptation tested refreshingly capable on the open road, albeit with some noise intrusion into the cabin detected from the slightly coarse power unit.
A detuned version of the Accent's 1.5-litre diesel is now also available in the Getz, making the good looking little shopping trolley the cheapest diesel vehicle going. Pity that the current Road User Charges don't alter whether you drive a two-tonne SUV or the frugal little Getz. Despite the unfair penalty, the $24,990 Getz diesel will still offer an attractively low operating cost package.
But back to the Accent. Available in both three and four-door configuration, on the whole it's well equipped for a sub $30k vehicle. One warning however; examine the sales brochure carefully. The diesel variant is built to European spec, where the petrols are built for the less discerning Australian market. Some conveniences have been 'lost in translation' between the European and Aussie Accents.
The CRDi GLS Accent for instance offers no-fuss ISOFIX child restraints, while the rest of the range opts for Australian Design Rule (ADR) anchorages, which are more cumbersome to use correctly.
In comparison to the 1.6 GLS petrol Accent, the diesel GLS receives a dual overhead console, trip computer function, heated side mirrors and a MP3 compatible sound system, but strangely misses out on the handy steering-wheel mounted audio controls the petrols pick-up as standard items.
Shame the more lavishly appointed GLSX models that add alloy wheels, fog lights, climate control, leather bound steering wheel / gear knob and alloy look centre facia, aren't available with the oil burner option under the bonnent. Though Kudos must be given for incorporating six airbags (front, side and curtain) airbags across the entire range.
The MacPhearson strut front, and torsion beam rear suspension is geared for around-town tootling rather than enthusiastic open road cornering, but given the Accent's target audience this comes as no real annoyance.
For those wanting a bit more presence, both in style and agility the Elantra offers the best proposition of the Hyundai's newest additions. Benefiting from a more compliant and capable multi-link rear suspension and a stiffer, reinforced chassis, our 2.0 petrol test vehicle with 105kW and 186 Nm of torque delivered a pleasing drive along the B-roads from Okoroire to Auckland.
The engine, mated to either a four-speed auto (as tested) or five-speed manual launches the Elantra past slower traffic convincingly when required and returns a claimed fuel economy under 8 litres/100km. Currently no diesel engine can be obtained for New Zealand, as all the European spec Elantra's have been allocated to the more diesel-astute continent.
Two levels of specification make up the Elantra range, an entry-level in manual or auto, or the automatic only range topping Elite. A raft of safety features such as six airbags and active headrests are standard, with the Elite also adding electronic stability control (ESP) and brake assistance (BAS).
The quality Philip Eustace spoke of is certainly evident in the Elantra's spacious cabin, the fit and finish is as good if not better than it's Japanese compeers. The lack of a telescoping steering on the base models seems an unnecessary frustration though, as it is standard fare on the Elite.
The quality may well come at a cost according to Hyundai, but Elantra's pricing structure is far from breaking the bank when matched dollar for dollar against others in the compact category. The Elite stacks up especially well in the kit count including cruise control, fog lamps, leather interior, climate control, trip computer and 16-inch alloys over and above the core version.
Five door hatch variants can be expected for the Elantra next year, and the Accent in 2008. A stunning FD Elantra 'Euro' model is also planned for the very near future as is a wagon variant and a coupe cabriolet will join the line-up in 2008.
The quality and specification of Hyundai's new generation vehicles really are distancing the brand from the bargain bin connotations it was once associated with. While an increase in cost is an unavoidable side effect of the company's progress, you'll be pleased to note the value for money quotient of Hyundai's pricing is still alive and well.
The new Accent starts within cooey of lesser-equipped super-minis at $24,990 for the 1.6 GLS manual ranging to $27,990 for the GLS CRDi diesel. The highest spec'd GLSX auto sits in between at $27,490.
The Elantra still dominates bang for buck equations against all Japanese rivals with the exception of perhaps the aggressively priced Honda Civic where there is very little difference in spec. Elantra starts at $27,990 for the base model manual, the four-speed auto adds $2000 and the Elite is priced $32,990.