Road Test: 2000 Hyundai Accent

Specifications and Performance

By Miles Cook
Last updated: 2000-12-21

2000 Hyundai Accent GL

Specifications:

Model Year: 2000
Make: Hyundai
Model: Accent
Style: GL
Base Price: $10,124
Price as Tested: $11,084
Drive Type: FWD
Transmission Type: 5M
Displacement (liters): 1.5
Engine Type: I4
Valve Train: SOHC 3 valves per cylinder
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 91 @ 5500
Torque (lb-feet @ rpm): 132 @ 3000
Redline (rpm): N/A
Curb Weight (lbs): 2354
Sticker EPA (mpg): 28 City 36 Highway
Edmunds Observed (mpg): 26.9

Test Conditions:

Temp (deg Fahrenheit): 71
Humidity: 68%
Elevation (ft): 85
Barometer (bars): 29.75
Wind: 11 mph SW

Track Performance:

0 - 60 Acceleration (sec): 11.6
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 18.2 @ 75.9
60 - 0 Braking (ft): 145
200 ft. Skidpad (g's): 0.75
600 ft. Slalom (mph): 58.0

Acceleration Comments:
Slowest car we've tested yet. Despite the tiny powerplant, 4,000 rpm clutch drop results in decent initial wheelspin. The engine quickly becomes exasperated and then pauses. It must catch its breath before continuing on. Shifter feels decent and is similar to the Elantra. It is, however, placed too far aft. The rear of my shoulder hits the seat during first to second and third to fourth shifts. Redline is tagged at 6,000 rpm. Limiter comes on at 6100. Gagues are clear and easy to read. Hits the 1/4 gear, as it takes an incredibilty long time to reach that point. Because the car lacks pull in a big way, there is almost no sensation of momentum changing between gear shifts. Besides actually moving the lever and operating the clutch, the car feels like it has only one gear. In fact, the acceleration graph looks as such as well. The ability to rotate the shift knob to meet different driver preferences is nice.

Braking Comments:
Not bad for a car without ABS. Threshold is not progressive here. Fairly easy to modulate however, and the brakes feel relatively strong. Good straight line stability. Most consistent of all non-ABS cars we've tested thus far. Pedal is light, but has good communication.

Skidpad Comments:
Tons of body roll. Lots of tire squeal. Suspension loads heavily on right front. Very easy to drive once the body took its set. Suspension remains loaded easily with moderate understeer. Surprisingly neutral.

Slalom Comments:
Steering is terribly slow, but has good weighting. Rim feels good. With lack of power it's challenging to get to an appropriate entrance speed, as well as keep it up. Lots of body roll, but the chassis communicates fairly well. Suspension transitions well and is very predictable. Easy to keep the car sliding but in control throughout the entire course. Compared to the Toyota Echo, this car has the stability of an Audi Quattro. Great seating position and view over the hood.