The Accent’s first road trip took us from home to Noosaville and Tewantin, where we had coffee and a break. From there the route took in the Noosa Northshore to Pomona, Kin Kin and Wolvi before picking up the Tin Can Bay Rd about 10 klms east of Gympie. There was an unmapped 10 klms or so of dirt road over a range on the Pomona – Kin Kin Rd.
Very dusty but not overly rough. The little car handled the bumps with no hassle.
We toured around Tin Can Bay, a retirement and holiday area of protected water just right for boaties before moving on to Rainbow Beach where the local SLSC sits high in the dunes with views south and east.
Rainbow Beach is ocean water and not far north of Double Island Point. On a clear day you can also see the southern tip of Fraser Island. We saw it.
The Accent drives very well. I reckon the gear change and clutch operation are actually superior to those in the i30. Smooth, precise and quiet.
Steering is the same. The car goes exactly where you point it with a minimum of fuss. The seating is comfortable, with plenty of leg room. Visibility is good except to the rear quarter where the high back window restricts things a bit.
I like the fact that even the base model Active has a trip computer.
We now have an i30, 2 Accents (my daughter and my sister in law) and a Getz (daughter in law to be) in our immediate family. My wife and daughter like to remind me that in years past I always said, “I’ll help you select and maintain your cars. Just don’t come to me with a Suzuki or a Hyundai”.
Some pics from the day.
The Accent outside the SLSC at Rainbow Beach.
Views from the deck. That's Double Island Point in the first one.
Lunch.
Sandhills to the south.
Prop from the wreck of the
Cherry Venture.View north.