Hyundai Accent

The Hyundai Accent is an economical subcompact available in three-door hatchback and four-door sedan body styles. The Accent has long offered a strong value proposition in the import market as one of the least expensive options in the segment. Recently, Hyundai’s improvements in quality and styling have brought the car more in line with Japanese and American offerings, such as the Toyota Yaris and Corolla, Honda Civic and Fit, the new Ford Fiesta and Focus and the new Chevrolet Cruze and upcoming Sonic.

First offered in the U.S. in 2000 as a 2001 year model, the Hyundai Accent is sold around the world under various names. The history of the Accent over the past decade parallels Hyundai’s own: a rise from entry-level unknown to value-priced, quality option competing with the best-known cars in the segment on its own merits. Low-powered and fuel-efficient, the Accent remains one of the least expensive options for buyers seeking solid, low-frills transportation, with features including an available automatic transmission, air conditioning, and in newer models, advanced audio packages and sporty appearance upgrades.

Originally available in GL, GSL and GT trims, with a choice of 1.5-liter and 1.6-liter engines, the Hyundai Accent has seen some simplification over the years. The first-generation car was a low-priced, often low-quality mode of basic transportation that won little praise in the automotive press. Nevertheless, its fuel efficiency and base feature set helped grow the Hyundai brand.

A second-generation Accent was offered from 2005, and trim choices eventually were reduced to a trio: the GLS model, with a choice of continuously variable (CVT) or manual transmissions, was offered in the sedan body style, while the hatchback was offered in GS and SE trims, with the SE replacing the previous GT trim as the sportier take on the Accent. A single 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine powered this Accent. Generally well-received, the second-generation Accent offered ample interior space and storage, standard air conditioning and a 60/40 split rear seat for extra cargo space. However, its safety scores were never a strong point; U.S. versions fared better in federal testing but still rated only average, particularly in side-impact tests.

For 2012, everything has changed with the debut of a brand-new Accent lineup. Offered in five-door hatchback and four-door sedan body styles, the new Accent has grown to near-compact-class size, and has been developed with a far higher level of sophistication and fuel-saving technology. Hyundai extracts 138 horsepower from a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, and teams it with a choice of six-speed automatic or manual transmissions. The net: 30/40 mpg gas mileage, according to the EPA, which makes the company's least-expensive car its most fuel-efficient non-hybrid. It's also a better performer, and it's very well executed, with adult-sized room in front or in back, with a smooth powertrain that accelerates at or above the usual econocar pace--and does it all with a level of fit and finish that's actually a notch above the new Fiesta and many other subcompacts. Not only that, it's better equipped, with available Bluetooth, power features, and standard curtain airbags and stability control.