Hyundai declares war on Nissan for the cheapest car
Take that, $9,990 Nissan Versa 1.6. Hyundai has made its 2009 Accent the cheapest new car on sale in America by lopping $1,100 from its MSRP, so the numbers on the screen now read $9,970. This price applies to the three-door GS model with a five-speed manual transmission.
For that kind of money, we’re still talking about a 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine, 27/33 mpg (city/highway), power steering and a full complement of airbags. Hyundai also has a good warranty, and serial surveyor J.D. Power & Associates declared the Accent the most dependable subcompact in its 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study.
Just a little small print on the Accent: Freight charges are an extra $695, there’s no radio as standard, plus -- of particular importance to Southern California residents -- air conditioning is an additional $1,600. Oh, and ABS brakes aren’t even on the options list for the GS. The Nissan Versa also requires $695 for freight and has a similarly sparse standard equipment list (“simplified content” is Nissan’s euphemism) -- no radio or A/C. And the Versa offers an option for ABS but not for an auto gearbox.
Still, competition and free-market forces, it’s what America’s all about.
Photo: Hyundai
