Hyundai's cheapest car gets a makeover

Hyundai's cheapest car gets a makeover

Sitting at the bottom of its model lineup, Hyundai's subcompact Accent bases at a price of $12,445. But the 2012 model, debuted at the New York auto show, looks more expensive. Hyundai updated the design to conform to the Fluidic Sculpture language used by the Sonata and Elantra, and fitted it with a new engine and cabin appointments.

Hyundai fits the Accent with one of its line of direct-injection engines, a 1.6-liter four cylinder making 138 horsepower. That engine gets the Accent 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. Buyers will have the choice of a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, which uses torque converter lock-up to maximize efficiency. 

The new Accent's slammed roof gives it a much sportier look than the outgoing model. But that design makes rear seat room cramped, both in leg- and head-room. Along with the sedan, the Accent will also be available as a five-door hatchback, replacing the previous-generation three-door hatchback. 2012 Hyundai Accent This car gets the same engine and transmission choices as the sedan.

2012 Hyundai Accent The higher roofline of the hatchback leads to better headroom for rear-seat passengers than in the sedan. The rear seats also fold down, allowing for maximum cargo space of 47.5 cubic feet. Some of the controls in the cabin feel chunky, but the overall interior has a surprising quality feel, considering the car's segment. 2012 Hyundai Accent Buttons on the steering wheel indicate a full array of cabin tech.

2012 Hyundai Accent have A USB port and auxiliary input sit in front of the shifter. The iPod label between these ports indicates the need for an adapter cable for iPod integration with the car. 2012 Hyundai Accent Another surprise in this subcompact car is the availability of navigation, a flash-based system.

Source : Cnet Reviews

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2012 Mazda 3 New Hatchback from Mazda

Redesigned for model year 2010, the 2012 refresh of Mazda 3 is Mazda's first application SKYACTIV technology in North America, receiving SKYACTIV machine-G all-new gasoline and transmission SKYACTIV-Drive all-new six-speed automatic and all-new transmission-MT SKYACTIV six-speed manual. He also has to increase driving dynamics sporty, responsive handling and a comfortable cabin space. Exterior design has also been refined to express more daring attitude, in addition to new interior appointments to create additional functionality without sacrificing touch-and-feel quality. Additional safety features complete the package.

2012 Mazda 3 facelift achieve high compression ratio of 12.0:1 and provides 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 148 lb-ft of torque at 4100 rpm. (PZEV version of this machine sold in California and other states produce 154 hp at 6,000 rpm and 148 lb-ft of torque at 4100 rpm).

The Mazda 3 sedan with the MZR 2.0-liter has EPA fuel economy rating of 25 city/33 highway with the standard five-speed manual transmission and 24 city/33 highway with five-speed automatic transmission optional.

In addition, previously only available with 2.5-liter MZR engine, the Mazda 3 five-door hatchback model will now be offered in the United States with SKYACTIV-G gasoline engine 2.0-liter. Mazda 3 hatchback is expected to deliver 27 city/38 highway (SKYACTIV-MT) and 28 city/38 highway (SKYACTIV-Drive AT). Highway estimates are slightly lower to be associated with different aerodynamics and a higher weight ratio between the sedan and hatchback. However, hatchback driving range remains impressive with more than 500 miles of driving in the tank the same size as the sedan. MZR 2.0-liter engine will not be available in hatchback models.

exterior view 2012 Mazda 3's finally have a firmer impression with new and updated front fascia grille opening five points for both sedan and hatchback styles. characteristics of new designs including more finely sculpted forms around openings in the outer edge of the front bumper and round fog lamps (changed from the horizontal-range version of the current model).

All Mazda 3 and MAZDASPEED3 models will continue to be equipped with a high level of standard safety features. Optional features are available for 2012 models is a new Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system.

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