24 months and still revving
Consider this a sequel review of my old article ''Get Revved'' (attached below, because MouthShut will not allow 2 reviews on same product). What I mentioned there, still stands. And if you haven't read the old one, please do, because this review article are very valid 'critique', coming from a person who still relishes this beautiful car.
And I think this follow up review makes use of the true spirit of MouthShut; a forum where people can get a good view of products and beyond.
Who should read this review?
Enough talking, let's get to business.
Here are some statistics:
Age: 2 year old this month
KM: Done about 20,000 Km
Max speed reached: 145 KMPH at 3.5 k RPM (traffic did not allow any further)
Expense so far: Petrol, engine oil, coolant, filters
Drive area: Mainly driven in Delhi city
Fuel economy: 10.5 to 12 KMPL in City. Approx 15-16.5 KMPL on the highway
Here are some comments after 2 years of usage:
Engine: the engine still Rocks!
What could be better: When you start it in the morning, with the window open, in a silent place, and pump the accelerator pedal briefly, it makes an obnoxious sound 'kitter-'kitter-'kitter-'kitter'. It simply HURTS! Sounds worse than a diesel engine. This happens when you do a cold start in the morning, and gets worse during winters. A point to note, is that this sound is an issue with all Hyundai DOHC 1.6 models from day one. not due to old age. If you own one, and think it is soundless, try a cold start with window rolled down, in a silent place.
Breaking (ABS) and suspension: still awesome and solid
What could be better: the rear drum brakes have a black covering, therefore look good. But the front disk area, has an exposed metal area which is non-painted, and looks said due to rust which is visible through the alloys. Hyundai should consider powder coating it. Unfortunately I cannot put a picture.
Aircon: Works well. I tested with an electronic thermometer which has one unit on dashboard (internal temp), and other one glued to the windshield for external temp. The difference was amazing. With 55 degree (strange but true when you are on the road in concrete the jungle called Delhi) outside, and a cool 25 degree inside. I have tested road temperature with other thermometers, and it is usually in the tune of 55+ in peak summer.
Doors: Doors and rubber beading are intact. Rubber is still soft (which is good)
What could be better: When you close the door with moderate speed, it makes a sound which makes you feel that the door is too light and 'weak'. Comparing to Optra, Ikon, and the City. The door does not sound good.
Glove Box: Spacious, locks well.
What could be better: 7 out of 10 Accent/Viva owners will tell you that it makes a vibrating sound while car is in motion on coarse road. The remaining three users probably play their music system too loud, and therefore don't notice.
Steering wheel: Power steering is still very smooth, and shows no signs of any play
What could be better: the honk-pad is simply not-up-to-the-mark
lacks rubbery feel (very plasticky)
alignment of the pad goes bad frequently, due to which it sometimes touches the parts behind it, and on certain areas, takes more than normal thumb pressure to make it work
the Hyundai logo on the honk pad is make through simple plastic molding. looks cheap. should have been metal coated.
In simple words, the honk pad is not up to standards when you compare it with the sporty leather coated steering wheel.
Honk pad needs to match the looks of the gear knob. Leather coated (black), and with a silver powder coated logo (just like the gear knob)
Music system: still works well. Power antenna also works good.
What could have been better: an MP3 player instead of, or in addition to the cassette player
Dash board: still looks good
What could have been better: some place to keep a tissue holder.
What I would like to see in future versions:
This car has it all, ABS, adjustable seat, beautiful rear, alloys, the works. Why not a sun roof.
This is one thing I will always miss in my car.
Hey Hyundai guys: If your department uses my comments for future designing, please consider sponsoring a sun roof for me :)
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Here's the previous review I wrote: ''Get Revved''
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If you have ever owned a two stroke bike, you definitely know how they are different from their four stroke cousins and scooters, Accent VIVA is what you should look for, when deciding on a car in the 5 to 7 lac range.
No doubt, some would get revved with the likes of Skoda, Corolla, or the top end Optra, or the Honda vtec. But in the price range, beats all Hyundai competitors. With 102 bhp of raw power, the engine ROARS. Have driven it 1500 Km, I never had to strain the engine over 3000 rpm to duel another 1.6L engines in a stop light pickup race.
If you don't want to spend more than 7-9 lacs, and want to go for the likes of Skoda, corolla, Honda or Mitsubishi, what you would get is the ''poor man's version'' of these brands. You don't get all that fancy stuff, the music system, alloy wheels, good engine....
If you go for a Hyundai, You get all that. You go to a Ford or Honda showroom, they would demo and lure you with the interiors of the top end model. They will always demo the 1.5 Ikon, and will NOT show you the 1.3 version Ikon until you insist. And believe me, there's a huge difference. So even of you go for the Finesse (beautified 1.3), it's not worth the extra price.
But with a Hyundai, you get it all. In one clean package. Look at GVS. It has the same elegant metal-grain dash as the top end accent.
And if you go for a Tornado, or Viva, you get it ALL. A beautiful 2 cam 16 valve engine. A fairly good music system, motorized antenna, alloys, fog lamps, metal-grain dash, leather covered gear shift knob, leather covered steering (sporty shape)… the works. The best I like is the adjustable steering, adjustable seat (with separate hip and thigh adjustment), which is a great experience if you plan to drive it yourself. And the ABS…. Beautiful. It's a fad if someone tells you that it gives an odd pumping sensation on the driver's foot. That functionality is dormant during normal drive conditions, and activates only when the car is actually about to skid. Not to forget the large 14'' alloys. It gets you in grip as much as it gets the road.
Write to me if you want help in deciding which color to buy. RED? Or what?
