I have always used a Maruthi 800. I have recently sold it and was looking for at buying a premium hatch and decided on either the i10 or the i20 (more inclined to the 20). The search was on and that’s when my eyes fell on Hyundai Accent Executive (new GLE). I started looking at the online reviews and found that most were happy with the vehicle. I met few users also, both new and old accent petrol, and they were also pretty happy about the comfort and drive ability. I then decided to take a test drive and went to the hyundai showroom with my friend.
We both had one thing in mind, to do a compare test drive and we took i20, hyundai’s latest hatch which boasts of gas shock absorbers as the benchmark. We took the accent out on a bumpy and swaying road. It handled the bumbs and potholes surprisingly well. We were amazed with the comfort it delivered. AC is an absolute chiller. The people sitting at the back was also comfortable. When we swayed the vehicle at about 60kmph on the sway road, the people at the back were comfortable enough.
Once done with the accent, we took the i20 out on the same road. We could feel the immediate difference. i20 was immediately feeling less powerful and less comfy. It hit the bottom on one pot-hole and the swaying was very uncomfortable for the people at back. AC was surprisingly less effective. The shocks were not able to handle the roads. The Steering of i20 was very light and easy to use. The gizmo’s were all good and easily accessible to the driver. Music system was good.
Since my selling of 800 was purely because it cannot handle the potholes and had a pathetic AC, I decided to go for the Accent executive over the i20. Gizmo’s does not impress when the vehicle does not impress on the basic front.
I got the vehicle delivered a week back and it has already done about 300 kms. The drive is excellent and cozy. all controls are accessible, only few though. The stereo has to be fitted outside, but the stereo power socket, speaker wires on doors and parcel tray are all company wired. Stereo fitting just took about 1 hour. The placements of the speakers are good and stereo was able to deliver good sound quality sue to the same. Good huyndai did not do cost cutting on the speaker wirings.
Steering wheel is good, handy and leather wrapped. Gear change is dream smooth, and knob leather wrapped. Gear shift is longer throws compared to new age vehicles but is good in a way that you know where exactly it is ( for people who have to depend on gear shift indicator otherwise ). Seats are very very comfortable and give good back and leg support. It fits 3 average at back very comfortably and they had good leg room also. AC is a chiller and I am forced to use it with temperature control at mid way and not fully cold due to the chillness.
Engine is quite responsive. It is a SOHC unit and hence the power delivery is not as good as you expect. It is slow to start, but changes its colour when you aare in 5th gear. It sprints forward on 5th gear. So poeple looking at upfront acceleration would be dissatisfied with the car. Too early for me to guess the mileage, but I belive more than 10 in bangalore traffic situation is a good bargain for this car, and I think I am getting 10. Will write a review about mileage soon.
Boot space is good and usable. Loading unloading is easy compared especially to SX4. Boot lights useful and place correctly. space beneath for stepny and all tools is a good option and hence does not redue the boot space in any way. Boot has 2 hooks as well which is very very useful when you do quick shopping and does not want the things to roll all over the boot.
Central locking is operatable from driver as well as co-driver end. Very very thoughtful of hyundai. Child locks at back, though standard in most cars now, are also present. Power window switches are ergnomically placed and are good to use. Good quality as well.
head lamps are ok, levelling device a good option. Head lamp upgrade recommended. I would be doing it soon. Stock tyres are bridgestone. They are good for city use, but need to test on highway. reaking within city is excellent.
Coming to crons : Dated looks. Man, looks like an uncle. I dont mind it that much though, since I sit inside and does not ahve to look at it, he he.... What to do, there is no perfect package in auto industry now, for the less 7 lack segment.We have to compromise on something or the other. So though will compromise on looks. Anyways looks are screwed, so I took white colour, to keep heat out and it works well.
Second one I noticed is obvious cost cuttings, like lights missing on power window switches, under dash plastics (upper dash quality is excellent), mats, seat front back rails are seen from outside and all. But hands up to hyundai, the quality of ll this is great and thy wont come out or rattle in near future.
Over all, I believe its a great buy and I recommend it for people who wants a family sedan and does not want to go for a road rash.
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Update on the driving and mileage at 600 kms +.
I know 600 kms is too short a distance, but thought will share the info. I have done this 600 bout 3 weeks and checked mileage twice, full tank to full tank. I have an average of about 10.2 km to a liter in heavy bangalore traffic conditions. This figure is with 100% ac on.
The drive till now has been fantastic. It stters well. Its easy to drive. Turning radius is good and its a boon in the city. It handles bad roads very well. It has good traction. Breaking is a little less confidence invoking though. Groud clearence is good. Trunk is usable, easy to load and unload. Power window and other swicthes are of good quality. I drove in rain and wiper had some issue. Its generating some noice and is not cleaning properly. Have to get that checked in first service.
My mom and dad (elderly ) liked its comort.
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21000 kms update
Car has completed 21000 kms. All smiles till now. Totally happy with the Car and After Sales Service. Mileage is a constant 10.5 - 13 in city and 14 - 16 on highway.