2001 Hyundai Accent Hyundai Accent 2001 Hyundai Accent GL Sedan Sedan Sedan FWD Korea For 2001, Accent GL and GS get a more powerful and fuel efficient 1.6-liter, DOHC inline four-cylinder engine. Smooth and quiet ride, roomy interior, impressive powertrain warranty. Boring styling, lack of horsepower. Hyundai is on a mission to reinvent itself in the minds of the American car-buying public. After a rocky period in the early '90s that had people saying, "Hyundais sure are inexpensive...and you get what you pay for," the company has unleashed several winners in a row. The Elantra offers impressive power and sophistication for its price, the Sonata is a roomy and well-built midsize sedan that undercuts competitors by thousands, the Santa Fe is larger than most mini-utes, if not more powerful, and the Tiburon? Uh, well, the Tiburon is a unique piece of work. Additionally, all Hyundais come with an impressive 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty, helping instill peace in the consumer's mind. The entry-level Accent is no exception to Hyundai's new rule. Three versions are available. The base L and midlevel GS come in hatchback format while the highline GL model is available only as a sedan. The base engine on L models is a 1.5-liter, SOHC four-cylinder making 92 horsepower. A larger, 105-horsepower 1.6-liter is optional on L and standard on GS and GL. This new DOHC design offers more power and increased fuel economy over the standard engine. An available four-speed automatic performs admirably, but can only be added to the GS or the GL. Under the Accent's attractively creased bodywork sits a MacPherson strut independent front and a dual-link rear suspension. Stabilizer bars at both ends do a poor job of controlling body lean, and skinny 13-inch wheels and tires do little to inspire confidence in Accent's handling. But the use of hydraulic engine mounting means reduced noise, vibration and harshness. Safety features include depowered airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners. Unfortunately, ABS for the front disc/rear drum braking system is not even available as an option. Interiors feature a modern instrument pod and a clean, simple center stack with straightforward climate and radio controls. Rear seat heating and ventilation ducts help keep backseat riders comfortable and the use of noise-reduction material in the A- and B-pillars attempts to quiet the ride. The driver's seat features adjustments for height and rake, as well as fore and aft settings. Oh, and a nifty fold-down armrest is standard. Standard equipment includes a cassette player, rear defroster, trip odometer, and power steering. Step up to the GS or GL and you'll receive upgraded carpeting, a digital clock, a tachometer, lumbar support for the driver, a 60/40 folding rear seat, a passenger visor vanity mirror and tinted glass. Upgraded trims also open the door to the few factory options that are available, such as power front windows, power exterior mirrors, air conditioning, and a CD player. Port-installed options on any Accent include carpeted floor mats, a rear spoiler, a center armrest, mudguards and a cargo net for the trunk. Hyundai has made great strides with regard to quality in the last few years and we're gaining respect for its products. In the subcompact world of shoddy Kias, questionable Daewoos and overpriced Toyotas, the Accent has plenty to offer the buyers who must have that new-car smell and new-car warranty. But at a welterweight 2,280 pounds, Accent doesn't offer much crash protection from the hulking SUVs and pickups on the roads. Our advice? Spend the few dollars you have on a larger, slightly used vehicle from one of the major Japanese manufacturers. In the long run, you'll probably be happier. Chevrolet Cavalier Daewoo Lanos Ford Focus Kia Sephia 560,000 10100,000 5Unlimited 5100,000 NA NA NA 4 1.6 liters Inline 105 hp @ 5500 rpm 97 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm 166.7 in. 65.7 in. 54.9 in. 2240 lbs. 96.1 in. 38.9 in. 38 in. 52.8 in. 52.4 in. 54.1 in. 53 in. 42.6 in. 32.8 in. 10.7 cu.ft. Not Available Standard Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Average Rating = Good Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested 11.9 gal. 27 mpg / 37 mpg 25 mpg / 35 mpg 321 mi. / 440 mi. 298 mi. / 417 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $9,265 $9,899 7.35% $435 N/A 2% of the Total Invoice L HATCHBACK (5M): 1.5L I4 SOHC MPI 12-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 500-amp battery; engine oil cooler; 75-amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 3.65 axle ratio; partial stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 11.9 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; black bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's manual remote black folding outside mirrors; 13" x 5" steel wheels; P175/70SR13 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo, seek-scan feature, cassette player, 4 speakers, fixed antenna; remote fuel door release; 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element, driver's foot rest, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes water temperaturegauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar, trunk ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, driver's and front passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment and easy entry; full-folding rear bench seat with fixed headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, vinyl door trim insert, full vinyl headliner, full carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, glove box, front and rear cupholders, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo cover, cargo light; body-colored grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles. GS HATCHBACK (5M) (in addition to or instead of L HATCHBACK (5M) equipment): 1.6L I4 SOHC MPI 12-valve engine; body-colored bodyside molding; instrumentation display includes tachometer, dash-mounted clock; tinted windows; sun visor strip, rear window wiper, driver's armrest, driver's seat includes 6-way adjustment and lumbar support; 60/40 folding rear bench seat; cloth door trim insert; passenger's side vanity mirror; 2 seatback storage pockets. GL SEDAN (5M) (in addition to or instead of GS HATCHBACK (5M) equipment): Child-safety rear door locks, remote trunk release. -- Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic $562 $600 1AA Option Package No.1 $0 $0 2AB Option Package No.2 $686 $750 3AC Option Package No.3 $1,053 $1,150 AD Air Conditioning $686 $750 CA California Emissions $70 $75 CF Carpeted Floor Mats $38 $60 CN Trunk Cargo Net $23 $38 MG Mud Guards $35 $55 RS Rear Spoiler $264 $395