Hyundai Accent
The latest Accent is good value compared with similar-sized rivals such as the Focus and Astra, but it is more likely to find itself pitched against the Kia Rio, Daewoo Lanos and mainstream superminis. The Accent is available in three- or five-door bodystyles, and there are two engine and transmission choices, headed by the 'sporty' three-door 1.5 MVi. A 200 bhp, four-wheel-drive version has been proposed to celebrate Hyundai's rallying exploits and add spice to the range, but this has yet to materialise, as has the diesel version. All-new in 2000, the Accent is Hyundai's best seller, appealing to buyers who are paying with their own money and looking for fuss-free motoringHyundai Amica
As parking spaces become ever harder to find, the new breed of small, sub-supermini, city cars is becoming ever more popular. Their low prices probably help, too. The Amica is certainly very reasonably priced for a five-door car with substantial space inside. The styling's not as cute as that of the Daewoo Matiz, but it's modern and functional. Great value for money. Hyundai Coupe
The sharpest-looking car in this market sector since the Fiat Coupe, Hyundai's own new Coupe is the company's highest-quality and best-driving model yet. Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai's Lantra, previously small for its class, has grown into a proper medium-sized family car and gained an E to start its name, just like its counterparts sold in other countries. Hyundai Getz
You're looking at Hyundai's best-selling car in Europe - if the company has got its predictions right. Entering the growing and popular supermini market properly for the first time since the Pony (the car that introduced Hyundai to UK buyers), the company has developed the Getz specifically with European buyers in mind, without losing sight of its core Korean values of efficiency, reliability and competitive pricing. Hyundai Matrix
The exterior of the car was designed by Pininfarina, the interior by Hyundai's R&D centre at Ulsan, South Korea, and both elements plonked on top of an Elantra saloon platform. The 1.6- and 1.8-litre petrol cars are supplemented by a 1.5-litre common-rail diesel - Hyundai's first oil-burning outing for a passenger car in this country. Hyundai Santa fe
Hyundai has adopted the latter course of action, though driven more by a desire to be taken seriously in the marketplace than as a reaction to the current downwards pressure on prices. The company's Coupe model has already proven that if the style of the car is right, people don't mind paying top dollar for a product wearing the Hyundai badge. Similar success is hoped for Hyundai's SUV, the romantically named Santa Fe. Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai's new Sonata saloon marks a big step forward in quality and refinement - and a leap forward for the company itself. While recent niche models such as the latest Coupe, the Santa Fe and the new Matrix mini-MPV have been both credible and desirable, Hyundai's mainstream ranges have not really caught up with the European competition. But the new Sonata - sister model to the Kia Magentis - is enough of an improvement over the last one to attract a following on its own terms. |