RECENTLY Hyundai announced it would sacrifice sales volume so it can concentrate on improving the quality of its vehicles. Today’s models are certainly aeons ahead of anything out of South Korea already. Yet there is room for progress, as the latest, best ever Accent ultimately reveals. Owners of the old version will be amazed at how much better it is, and Excel drivers may think this new MC generation is from a Utopian future, but the light-car class is populated by rivals with more winning talents. And we believe that the ageing Getz is a better Hyundai baby, too.
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LC Accent Series II
Released: March 2003
Ended: April 2006
Family Tree: AccentPost-Getz, the fourth-generation Accent light car is a heavy indictment on Hyundai’s old pile-'em-high, sell-'em-cheap attitude. From the resonating vibrations of the noisy engine and recalcitrant gearbox to the low-fi feel of the cabin’s quality and presentation, a disposable, low-cost ambience prevails. Still, performance from the 78kW/143Nm 1.6-litre twin-cam engine is strong, there is plenty of space for people and packages alike, and equipment levels are as competitive as the price has always been. But the Accent’s star has been in decline for years now, and it is easy to see why.
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