Archives for posts with tag: hyundai

Comparo: NISSAN X-TRAIL vs HYUNDAI ix35

August 31, 2012 //
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SUV makers are becoming adept at surgery that cuts at the very heart of the genre – its all-wheel drive system. But there are benefits, as NEIL DOWLING reports. July 2011
HYUNDAI ix35 ACTIVE
PRICE: $28,990

VALUE: Good features but doesn’t match the Nissan for knick-knacks and family-focused ideas. Steel wheels are a bit of a let down, though six-speed automatic is a pearler. It matches the Nissan on most levels – cruise, iPod/USB audio and trip computer, but then runs out of entertainment for the kids. Star: 3.5/5

 
TECHNOLOGY: The six-speed auto is its highlight, though the 2.0-litre engine is clever in its ability to punch out 122kW/197Nm which makes it a more sparkly drive than the Nissan. Suspension systems are similar so handling is on par but X-Trail rides smoother. Star: 4/5

DESIGN: The ix35’s curves clash with the X-Trail’s boxy shape. While the Hyundai looks modern now, it may date quicker. Inside it’s swoopy and bright but silver plastics can scratch and fade. That said it’s all workable and easy to operate, albeit at 225mm shorter than the Nissan with less cargo area and rear seat room. Star: 4/5

SAFETY: Top shelf five-star crash rating with all the current electronic accoutrements, including six airbags, down hill brake control and hill start assist. Also has a full-size spare wheel so rates as a holiday wagon. Star: 4/5

DRIVING: Stylish lines lose some marks for visibility from the driver’s seat. Performance is good and auto really suits the engine, unless you’re in a hurry. It seems to be slightly noisier – tyres and engine – than the X-Trail and steering isn’t as confident. But keep with it and it hangs on through the corners. Comfort is good at cruising speed but suspension is prone to the jiggles over poor roads at low speeds. Star: 3/5

SCORE: 3.5/5

NISSAN X-TRAIL ST
PRICE: $30,990

VALUE: You miss out on all-wheel drive but not much else. Lots of value here with the CVT transmission, alloy wheels, four cooled cupholders and cool/heat glovebox, six-CD player with iPod/USB and Bluetooth, trip computer, cruise control and so on. Three-year warranty doesn’t match Hyundai’s five. Star: 4/5

 
TECHNOLOGY: There’s nothing to thrill here, though the 102kW/192Nm 2.0-litre engine is pleasantly efficient and durable. The CVT auto isn’t as responsive as a conventional auto but it does get better economy than a manual. Star: 3.5/5

DESIGN: The X-Trail’s boxy shape is more about space efficiency than style. There’s lots of room inside and clever splitlevel boot has handy pull-out drawers. The rear seat is a 40/20/40 split, folds flat for extra cargo space and has a six-step recline for snoozers. Clever stuff that nails it for young families. Star: 4.5/5

SAFETY: Gets a four-star crash rating and has six airbags, electronic stability control and ABS brakes with brakeforce distribution, brake assist and other aids.
A full-size spare is standard. Star: 3.5/5

DRIVING: Box shape makes for great visibility and easy parking. The X-Trail is on the mark for ease of driving but the CVT auto needs more accelerator pressure to get moving and that initially makes the engine rev disproportionately high. Ride comfort is very good and handling is reasonable for a tall, front-drive wagon. It’s no racer and that’s what appeals in its role as an efficient, suburban-based family car. Star; 3.5/5

SCORE: 4/5

VERDICT: Park these together and the prize for looks goes to the ix35.
But pragmatists will see that Nissan’s box opens to reveal more features that may be more tuned to family or leisureoriented motorists.

ix35 – 18.5pts
X-Trail – 19pts
 
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Test: 2011 Hyundai Elantra

August 31, 2012 //
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A fresh Elantra enters the small-car battlefield. NEIL DOWLING attends its debut. July, 2011
 
LEARNING lessons quickly is just one reason why the Koreans can outpace other car-making nations.
Taking the first corner in the latest Hyundai Elantra small sedan — one of four models due before Christmas — shows that the company is subtly turning to a new direction.
Less than a year since criticism — notably from motoring writers, not customers — about the vague steering and suspension of the i45 flagship sedan, Hyundai has unwrapped a surprise. The result: the Elantra is a taut, predictable and even a fun car to push through winding roads.

VALUE: Prices start at $20,590 for the Active six-speed manual (automatic adds $2000), $25,590 for the mid-spec Elite automatic and $28,990 for the top-shelf Premium automatic.
The only option is mica-metallic paint at $375. It’s priced right against its rivals, the Holden Cruze, Mazda3 and VW Golf . Look closely and it is is line-ball in so many ways with the Mazda3.
Is it as good? Yes.

DESIGN: The shape follows Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” style and this can be hit and miss. It overpowers the wheels in the stablemate ix35 SUV, making them appear too small, but works well in the Elantra.
Where the bigger i45 sedan looks a tad stretched, the flowing lines and creases really suit the Elantra.

TECHNOLOGY: The Elantra appeals to i30 hatch buyers who want a boot. But though the two cars are in the same category, the Elantra’s platform is new and not shared with the i30. There is only one engine, also new.

The 1.8-litre four-cylinder has variable valve timing for inlet and exhaust but misses out on the direct-petrol injection technology of the i45 and coming Veloster.
The steering is electric-assist and, as in most of its rivals, the Elantra gets MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a torsion beam at the rear.

SAFETY: ANCAP has flung the Elantra into concrete walls and power poles. It earned a five-star crash rating. There are six airbags and an electronic chassis module called VDM that incorporates anti-lock brakes with electric stability control, brakeforce distribution and brake assist.

DRIVING: It’s a small car but the styling makes it look long and low. The cabin is quite accommodating, with enough leg and head room.
Short shifts and a light clutch make the six-speed manual easy to drive. The engine also feels perkier with this transmission and able to draw out more engine response. But the six-speed sequential auto is no slouch and in most cases better suits the car’s likely urban life.
The engine is predictable and linear in its power delivery but will leave some motorists wanting more. But there’s no disputing the Elantra’s ability to hang on through the corners.

VERDICT: The Elantra seats four adults with good rear seat room, has a big boot that includes a full-size spare wheel, a features list that is extensive in comparison with some rivals, and has a great price list and a warranty you can’t ignore.

specs
HYUNDAI ELANTRA
PRICE $20,590-$28,990
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
RESALE not available
SERVICE INTERVAL12 months/15,000km
SAFETY 5-star ANCAP
ENGINE 1.8-litre, 4-cyl petrol, 110kW/178Nm
TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual or auto, front-wheel drive
BODY 4-door sedan
WEIGHT 1277kg
THIRST 6.6L/100km, 91 RON, 158g/km CO2
“Hyundai’s game-changer makes good sense for city and suburbs”

others to consider
VW GOLF 90TSI **** 1/2
ENGINE 1.4-litre, 4-cyl turbo petrol, 90kW/200Nm
TRANS 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
BODY 5-door hatch
THIRST 6.4L/100km, 95 RON, 149g/km CO2
price $24,990

MAZDA3 NEO
ENGINE 2.0-litre, 4-cyl petrol, 108kW/182Nm
TRANS 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
BODY 4-door sedan
THIRST 7.9L/100km, 95 RON, 187g/km CO2
price $21,330

HOLDEN CRUZE CD
ENGINE 1.8-litre, 4-cyl petrol, 104kW/176Nm
TRANS 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
BODY 4-door sedan
THIRST 7.0L/100km, 95 RON, 166g/km CO2
price $20,990

 
 
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Test – Hyundai Accent diesel

August 24, 2012 //
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Baby diesels are fun, frugal and go a long way and Hyundai’s Accent fits the bill. Sometimes. NEIL DOWLING reports

DIESEL small cars bring tears of joy to their penny-pinching, green-tinged owners but in reality any expected savings don’t stack up.
Spatially-challenged Europeans opt for baby diesel cars for parking and fuel cost reasons but Australians have no real need for these oily midgets.
Ignoring the cost of fuel and the extra price you’ll pay for a diesel car, I’d admit these cars are fun to drive and I love the huge distances between refills.
There’s also a solid range of diesel small cars that whet the appetite. But it’s not the car that’s the issue – it’s the fuel.
Hyundai presents its Accent oiler as an affordable and comfortable family small car that works an absolute treat in Paris or London. Here, at the very least, it gets a big E for Effort.
VALUE: Hyundai flags the Accent Active diesel manual as Australia’s most affordable diesel passenger car. It’s $19,590, a $2600 premium over its petrol sister. The lauded Dowling Index (I just made that up) shows that it takes nine years and eight months for the diesel to make up that $2600 – despite its better fuel economy – and after that will save only $270 a year in fuel costs (I didn’t make that up). You plan to own the Accent for 10 years? That aside, the car has a strong list of features and is particularly high on safety. The five-year warranty is brilliant.
DESIGN: Styling is neat, practical and has strong overtones of its designer scribbling from a Belge sidewalk cafe table drawing inspiration from the passing Euro cars. It’s surprisingly roomy, has a great dashboard layout – US researchers and publicists Wards just included it in the world’s 10 best car interiors – and trim and fabrics never feel low rent. The driving position is perfect – but rear vision is poor – and seats are comfortable and blessed with long cushions for better thigh support.
TECHNOLOGY: Nothing really stands out here but the engine is admired for its impressive 260Nm of torque at a low 1900rpm – better than its three main rivals. It gets four-wheel discs, while some competitors use drums at the rear, and electric-assist steering instead of the traditional engine-powered hydraulic assist that draws down fuel consumption. Obviously it’s a price issue but the diesel would look less like a fleet car if it had alloy wheels.
SAFETY: Like its sister models, the diesel version of the Accent has a five-star crash rating, six airbags, electronic stability control (Hyundai calls it Vehicle Stability Management), traction control and ABS brakes. It could do with front and-or rear park assist or better, a camera.
DRIVING: So conceptually I don’t think small diesels are as economical to own and run as a petrol-fuelled equivalent. But they are endearing critters. That long range is enticing. Go country and the Accent can run to 1100km between fill ups and even 800km is possible in the city. Diesels are different than petrols to drive, particularly in engine response, but the Accent’s high torque at low revs means it can be lugged along in a high gear making for less manual gear shifts. Bonus. Pick the sweet spot in the torque band (it’s about 2400rpm) and the Accent can quite swiftly exit out of corners. Miss that spot and the engine gasps. The suspension is good, not great because of some low-speed bump, while the steering is overly light. But it works really well in the confines of the city and suburbs.
VERDICT: Admirable but you’d be far in front with the petrol model. The Accent is one of my favourite little cars but as a diesel, it doesn’t cut it.
HYUNDAI ACCENT ACTIVE DIESEL
STARS 3
Price: $19,590
Warranty: 5 years/unlimited km
Resale: 56 per cent
Service interval: 15,000km/12 months
Safety rating: Five star
Spare: Full-size
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel 94kW/260Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual; FWD
Body: 4.1m (L); 1.7m (w); 1.4m (h)
Weight: 1207kg
Thirst: 4.5 1/100km; 121g/km Co2
Three Others to consider.

CITROEN C3 SEDUCTION
Star: 3
PRICE: $24,990
ENGINE: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl turbo-diesel, 68kW/230Nm
TRANS: 5-spd manual, front drive
BODY: 5-door hatch
THIRST: 3.6L/100km, CO2 93g/km
“French macaroon is distilled essence of the definition of a car. Its simplicity makes it a winner but average build quality, chug-a-lug engine and poor resale chaff its potential”ql

FORD FIESTA ECONETIC
Star: 3.5
PRICE: $24,990
ENGINE: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl turbo-diesel, 66kW/200Nm
TRANS: 5-spd manual, front drive
BODY: 5-door hatch
THIRST: 3.7L/100km, CO2 98g/km
“Efficient and enjoyable Fiesta sipper is worth more than the scant attention paid by Australian motorists. They lose”ql
VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.6TDI
Star: 3.5
PRICE: $21,490
ENGINE: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl turbo-diesel, 66kW/230Nm
TRANS: 5-spd manual, front drive
BODY: 5-door hatch
THIRST: 4.7L/100km, CO2 124g/km
“Hard to beat. Logical, affordable, simple and yet with more features than rivals, it only skips a beat with its thirstier engine. But like 4.7 L/100km is a problem?”ql

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