Have a Happy Highway drive! . Review on Hyundai Accent CRDi

I bought Accent CRDi from DSC Hyundai, Chennai. Previously I was using Ceilo and VolksWagan Jetta GLS. On the first month itself I drove about 4600 kms. I am very comfortable with Accent CRDi because its acceleration is amazing on high speed (100+) that I didn’t get it with any other petrol cars, which I drove. Fuel efficiency is very satisfactory on highways; I got 21 kms/ltr with AC on the national highway, rural roads 18 kms/ltr and in city (Chennai) it gives about 12~13 kms/ltr. Especially mileage drops drastically when I am using for shorter distance. I have been using TurboJet Diesel from HP.

A/C is superb, superior pickup and I see vehicles behind me very often. Vehicle is fairly stable up to 140 km/hr, after that there is a little waffling. I didn’t try beyond 160 km/hr, getting little panic drive beyond 140 km/hr. Undoubtedly Accent CRDi is leader/ruler in highways.

Before buying this car, I was in a dilemma between Ford Fiesta and Accent CRDi.. Accent CRDi engines performance with fuel economy is the one and only reason which dragged me on Accent. I think interior in Fiesta is superior to Accent also with outer look. I am happy with my decision, but it is not honest to underestimate Fiesta without driving it.

Pros: +No need to shift gears often; +Gear shifting is very smooth ; +Excellent pickup/acceleration, especially on high speed and up hills; +Fuel economy on Highways and in Rural roads are fantastic; +Smooth navigation; +Superior steering control; +Good Air-conditioner; +Absolutely there is no engine noise on move; +Stable on high ways upto/~120 km/ltr; +Have enough boot space; +Foldable rear sheet is useful;

Cons:Not getting better road view on city traffic (better than Ceilo); -Headlights are not powerful enough on highways; -Not getting good mileage when drive shorter distance(Distance between my office and home is only 4.4 kms); -Back room leg space and seat angle is not so good; -Road clearance is not that good; -Seating comfort is not that good (Ceilo is very comfort for long drive); Speaker coming with vehicle is insulting cars quality, throw away quality; I doubts aero dynamic body shape is not that good when compare with Ceilo (Big dust comes in the air should hit car face, but it hits)

Hope this feedback helps you.

May not be  good choice for short city riders.

Have a safe drive and nice journey.

More update after 20 months:-

Thanks friends for your comments and I am only a user and not an expert.

Almost I drove 22000 km in this Accent CRDi in last 20 months. I haven't had any major issues except some minor issue like fuel gauge is dropping suddenly when fuel reach reserve position.

I got very good mileage before second/third service (12 km in city limit and upto 22 km/ltr in highways with AC). Both dropped to 10 km and 18 km/ltr respectively after the service. Reported the mileage drop during 4th service and got little progress in mileage. Currently I am getting 11 km/ltr in city limit and 19-20 km/ltr in highways with AC II (My driving speed @ 100~120km/hr in highways). It gives very good mileage when I maintain speed limit at 80~90 km and keep RPM < 3000, by this way I got my best mileage 24.3 km/ltr (only one trip in the early morning from Chennai to Erode [230 km - very good road and divided highway of Chennai to Bangalore, 90 km - heavy traffic and bad national high way (Krishnagiri-Thoppur,  rest are reasonably good road) with partial AC.  Slippery roads and water log roads are very dangerous for Accent when drive beyond 60 km.

I paid Rs 6600 for my first paid service for normal maintenance. Headlamps are not that powerful to ride in highways. I am not getting that comfort in with this seating comfort. Now a days normally I use XTRA PREMIUM diesel at Indian Oil (prviously HP), Shell fuel gives better mileage than Indian Oil. Even long drives are not maul my budget, that way I am very happy and prefer to use this for long drive than other mode. AC performance is not that good for hot summers.

Regards

Muru