Hyundai Eon packs punches in the right places

The nifty, spirited Hyundai EON may be a smaller car (after all, it’s a sub-compact), but it certainly packs the punches in the right places.

To begin with, the all-new car is a looker—its European-inspired design is a head turner with its youthful vibe and splashy colors. It’s got the drive—with an Epsilon 0.8-liter MPI engine, it is fit for everyday driving around the metro.

More importantly, this cool hatchback has a personality—a unique blend of intelligent design for its interiors that allows passengers to maximize the compact space without compromising on comfort, safety, and support.

To demonstrate the EON’s efficiency and endurance, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc (HARI) invited members of the motoring press (this writer included) and its car club on a test drive to Baguio earlier this month, where the car had to navigate the often steep and twisty roads.

Here are five things that the Inquirer Motoring deduced from the five-and-a-half hour drive (from Hyundai North Edsa in Quezon City) to the country’s summer capital up north:

1. The EON is, in fact, fuel efficient

The fuel consumption by the EONs that were tested by the members of the media averaged some 20 kilometers per liter. (One car, though, averaged 30.532 kpl, an impressive feat.) These numbers bodes well, especially if a motorist is a fan of long drives and challenging road conditions (it was raining cats and dogs most of the time during the drive to Baguio). Surely, the EON’s aerodynamic profile that helps it effortlessly cut through the wind and water translated to better fuel efficiency.

2. It is built to be noticed

Perhaps it’s the parade of shiny, new EONs that get people’s attention. After all, it’s not every day that people in the province see a string of 20 EONs zooming effortlessly past their houses. Or perhaps it’s the EON’s flowing character lines and gently sloping profile that add a sportier elegance to its trendy build that turns head. Either way, nobody could blame the participants in the test drive if they had felt like celebrities—after all, all eyes were on them.

3. The EON can go fast, really fast

At one point, during the test drive (not along the NLEX where speed limit is 100kph), this driver floored it to go 150kph, with no problems at all. This is important not just so speed-crazed drivers can have their fix, but it might make the difference when safely overtaking a slower vehicle on the road.

4.  It pays for itself

With a tag price of a reasonable P438,000 for the 0.8 GL MT and P498,000 for the 0.8 GLS MT, the EON quite literally pays for itself. With weight-saving technologies (such as plastic inlet manifold and a plastic head cover) and practical features (such as foldable rear seats for irregularly shaped items or bigger outdoor gears), motorists get more than what they pay for.

5. The EON is tough, safe, and built to last

This subcompact’s body structure has reinforced floor panel, optimized radiator support panel design and door side impact beams, which helps in countering force in the unfortunate event of an impact. The EON is fitted with front disc brakes to give tires that firm hold. But with a smooth driving experience that only EON provides, hitting the brakes is perhaps the last thing you’d want to do.

*** TWIST Editor Note: This article was published on the Philippine Daily Inquirer on June 30, 2012. It is slightly edited for TWIST. Enjoy! ***

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