Hyundai Accent 1.5CRDi vs Honda City 1.5VTEC

[Herbie]

Hyundai Accent 1.5CRDi vs Honda City 1.5VTEC

Hi guys! I'm coming up with a list of what cars would be worth considering. And this two keep me wondering. Please help which is better in terms of:

1) Fuel Efficiency

2) Low cost of maintenance

3) Interior Comfort

4) Ride quality

5) Safety

6) After Sales service

Salamat po!

[niky]

1. Accent. Economy is similar with the City VTEC, but it's in gasoline, so fuel still costs more. And the Accent is much faster.

2. City, probably. Longer oil change intervals. Dealership service is expensive, yes, but once you're past the warranty, there's no need to go there anyway (some people don't even wait for the warranty to expire).

3. City. Accent's not bad, though. Almost as roomy.

4. City. Accent's kinda bumpy. Both ride kind of stiffly, but the Honda feels much more settled over sharp bumps. In fact, the Kia Rio (which is based on the Accent) feels better than the Accent, too.

5. Unknown. The City isn't sold in the US, so crash tests are not available. If it's as stiff as the Jazz/Fit, then it's a bit safer... but the Accent meets NHTSA crash standards.

6. A lot of people complain about Honda service. Hyundai service depends on which dealership you go to... but this is true of the Honda, too.

[Herbie]

Thanks niky for the very informative reply

It's also interesting to note the recent article of M. delos Reyes of the Philippine Star's Motoring section today, Sept 19, '07 regarding his impressions of the Accent CRDi. Here's the the link to the article.

[alwayz_yummy]

consider the fuel cost

[niky]

I agree with him except on the ride... but then, it's okay over most surfaces, it's on truly rough surfaces that the lack of shock damping becomes a problem.

[Herbie]

I agree with him except on the ride... but then, it's okay over most surfaces, it's on truly rough surfaces that the lack of shock damping becomes a problem.

Thanks. I think with this, a better ride would be more appreciated by the wife as part of the route we will be taking everyday (East Bank Floodway) is a bit harsh.

We will be travelling around 55km round trip that's why I'm picky with the fuel economy aspect (VTEC 12km/L++ vs CRDi 15km/L++ source: motioncars.com/philstar.com). hehhehhe

[niky]

Well, personally, I'm very picky... neither of these two vehicles rides as well as, say, a Corolla or a Civic, since both are small cars with torsion beam rear axles and light rear shocks... but for most people, they're okay. The only way to know if it's good for you would be to test-drive both.

Of note, also, is the fact that the VTEC that costs the same as the Accent is an automatic. The CVT is very easy to use. The Honda City MT is also quite easy to use... it gets a bit notchy with age, but the action of the clutch and shifter are a cut above the others (since it's a Honda). The Hyundai's shifter is kind of rubbery, but the light clutch is easy on the feet.

Up to you. While the City feels like a more upscale car, ibang klase din ang dating if you're one of the few people around with a diesel sedan. And the Accent is a sleeper... like the writer said, it's a dragster in disguise...

[Hank]

Thank you for posting the link to that article. I really regretted buying a Nissan Sentra GSX over a Hyundai Accent just about two weeks ago. Well, got two Hyundai's already and having Getz CRDi already satisfies my thirst for speed. But I must say that I would still like to get an Accent, the new Sta. Fe/Tucson CRDi, and the new Starex. What I don't like is that some taxi companies are already using the Accent in their fleets... something we can't help as it is indeed very economical. Just relieved that Hatchbacks can no longer be used for cabs. My only complaint with the Accent is the "high waistline" appearance due to a mislocated "door guard". They should also sell the 2 door Accent Hatchback here with a slightly bigger engine as there seems to be a void when the Civic SIR model was discontinuedand. Would be great to speed by Civic owners in medium traffic... (the Civic 2.0 is still faster on straightaways).

Thanks niky for the very informative reply

It's also interesting to note the recent article of M. delos Reyes of the Philippine Star's Motoring section today, Sept 19, '07 regarding his impressions of the Accent CRDi. Here's the the link to the article.

[oldblue]

Thanks. I think with this, a better ride would be more appreciated by the wife as part of the route we will be taking everyday (East Bank Floodway) is a bit harsh.

We will be travelling around 55km round trip that's why I'm picky with the fuel economy aspect (VTEC 12km/L++ vs CRDi 15km/L++ source: motioncars.com/philstar.com). hehhehhe

pag laging may traffic route mo, get the CRDi kasi consistent ang consumption nya. di katulad pag gas, pag na-traffic ng heavy yun 12km/l puwede mag big drop to 8 or 7km.

[niky]

Actually, I prefer the Getz CRDi... if it's a "need for speed" you've got, the Getz is lighter, with firmer steering. More confidence inspiring at speed. The Accent is only much better than the Getz at low speeds, as the Accent's transmission (or, more likely, engine mounts, as C! Magazine suggests) reacts better to low rpm driving than the Getz's.

If it's a "sports model" CRDi you want, I'd put my money on a Rio wagon or sedan CRDi. Great little car... needs a better engine.

The taxi issue may be bad for resale... somewhat, but who cares? If it means that Hyunda/Kia engine parts become more common at the Banaue shops, all the better!

[number001]

^re: resale values. It could be the other way around since taxi operators will also be in the market for second hand units to add to their fleets therefore this could stimulate demand and price for certain models (ie. Vios).

[Hank]

Actually, I prefer the Getz CRDi... if it's a "need for speed" you've got, the Getz is lighter, with firmer steering. More confidence inspiring at speed. The Accent is only much better than the Getz at low speeds, as the Accent's transmission (or, more likely, engine mounts, as C! Magazine suggests) reacts better to low rpm driving than the Getz's.

If it's a "sports model" CRDi you want, I'd put my money on a Rio wagon or sedan CRDi. Great little car... needs a better engine.

The taxi issue may be bad for resale... somewhat, but who cares? If it means that Hyunda/Kia engine parts become more common at the Banaue shops, all the better!

I didn't know that a Rio (sedan/wagon) CRDi. How much do they cost? Well, when the Getz was acquired, I did not even think of the resale value as what is important to me is that I enjoy the vehicle and am happy with it. I really hope they'll bring in the Accent Hatchback (mated to the Elantra's 1.6 CRDi-VGT perhaps)...

[niky]

Wala pa. But I'm hoping they'll bring it in here in the future.

It should be possible since the Rio and Accent share the same chassis. But the Rio has different steering and a different suspension setting, and I like the looks better. The one really bad thing about the Rio is the lack of alternative engines. (1.4 only, no 1.3 or 1.6).

[Herbie]

... What I don't like is that some taxi companies are already using the Accent in their fleets...

Well for me that's OK as long as there are numerous buyers of the Accent to make its spare parts cheaper in the long run And to sure the "longevity" of the Accent in the Philippine market

[number001]

I have been reading several US based publication (Consumer Reports, Car and Driver, Road and Track, Motor Trend) that pitted the Accent and the Rio together in various comparisons tests. In all the tests, the Rio comes out as the better handling and overall more refined than the Accent.

Locally, tsikot's in-house testers, niky and et al, seem to favor the handling of the Rio but the Accent's 1.5 CRDi VGT is the proverbial icing of the cake. Well, its a shame that Kia, upto now has yet to offer a similar 1.5 CRDi VGT engine for the Rio.

The local Kia distributor's (Columbia) legacy of bad service reputation still continue to haunt till today, making potential buyer's shy away from the brand, even if the vehicle line-up have improved tremendously and getting to battle it out with the incumbent Japanese standard.

[suysuy]

titingnan ko safety. i think wala na ibang model ang VTEC na 1.5. standard on any 1.5L vtec is ABS with EBD and Brake Assist. Dual Airbags. EPS pa ang steering.

12km/l vs 15km/l is not that big. if the accent does not have safety features like the city vtec has, then i'll choose safety over economy.

besides, the city and jazz is very the same. It has the G-CON body structure. so safety in mind, lamang na ang City.

as ive said, kung may ABS EBD at BA ang accent, ill go for the accent.

[restituto]

I've heard na mas magastos maintenance ng diesel engine kay sa gasoline dahil dami pang system involve sa process so more parts are considered. Totoo ba to?

[number001]

^for one, diesel engines seem to require more motor oil than a gas engine.....

[niky]

In this particular case, the Honda City's engine requires less maintenance because it's on a longer change interval, at 10,000 kms, versus the Accent, at 5,000 kms.

The problem with Kia dealerships is the lack of support from Korea. Kia is aggressively expanding into prime markets which demand a lot of units, so sometimes the local dealers get the short stick in terms of support. A local businessman closed down his dealership due to problems with unit supply (not parts... cars mismo... can't sell cars if you can't receive them)... and in talks with other Kia sales personnel, it seems that they can sell much more than they're selling at the moment, if only they had quicker response from the head office in Korea.

RE: Safety: ABS: As I always say: Tires > ABS. Neither of these cars comes on very good tires (though the City's tires are probably better), so, if safety is a concern, buy nicer tires to reduce braking distances.

But yes, the City has a much stiffer chassis than the Accent, which really does matter in a life and death situation.

[serial_killer]

OT lang po..

*HANK...saan nyo po nabasa/narinig itong news below? confirmed na ba ito since when pa? Hoping for your reply...tnx very much..

[QUOTE=Hank;906996] Just relieved that Hatchbacks can no longer be used for cabs. QUOTE]