Ford Fiesta Vs. Hyundai Accent: Compare Cars

By Marty Padgett

2 8,157 views Apr 15, 2013

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Ford Fiesta Vs. Hyundai Accent

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If you're a fan of small cars with big gas-mileage numbers, there's never been a better time to shop new. Even in the Eighties, the heyday of the Japanese econobox, the likes of today's Chevy Sonic, Kia Rio, and Fiat 500 were nowhere on the horizon for America's drivers.

Today, two of the most popular subcompacts on the scene are the Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Accent. The pair couldn't be more different: the tidy, pert Fiesta is pitched with enthusiasts in mind, and has a boatload of higher-tech features to lure buyers down in size from bigger vehicles. The same's true for the Accent, but in terms of actual size, it's almost a compact car.

Which one should take up less room than usual in your garage? Let's start with fuel economy, usually the first reason people turn to this class of cars. The Accent's the undisputed winner, as far as the EPA is concerned. No matter which transmission you choose, its four-cylinder engine sips fuel to the tune of 30/40 mpg, without any special packages or aero add-ons. It's just long enough to avoid the very-small-car syndrome, where a blocky shape actually costs a car miles per gallon. The Fiesta knows that well; though it's noticeably smaller than the Accent, its top highway gas mileage checks in at 38 mpg.

The slight margin in fuel economy could be worth it to some drivers, as the Fiesta's a dynamo, compared to the capable Accent. The Fiesta's steering and handling are impressive; even if it's never truly quick, it's maneuverable above and beyond most of the vehicles in its class. The Accent has a light touch and fairly good ride control--it's just not as intimately connected to the road as the Ford.

Ford's subcompacts also score better in safety tests than the Accent, earning the IIHS' Top Safety Pick ratings and four stars overall from the NHTSA. The Accent's not far behind, with just an "acceptable" side impact score separating it on the IIHS charts and a side-impact star distancing it from the Fiesta's line-by-line NHTSA scores.

The Fiesta also asserts itself with more available connectivity features than the Accent, though we think that's an advantage it won't enjoy for long. The Fiesta can be fitted with SYNC voice controls, a dual-clutch automatic, leather trim, and ambient lighting; the Accent offers some of these, and can be better equipped in base form, with a USB port, satellite radio, and power features.

Where we can appreciate the Accent most strongly is in the back seat. In both the sedan and hatchback models, the Accent's maxed-out dimensions make it a much more useful proposition than the pint-sized Fiesta. Especially as a hatchback, the Accent just has more interior space, and can seat four full-sized adults comfortably. That's not going to happen in the Ford. Both vehicles are more attractively styled as hatchbacks than as sedans; we'd give the edge to the Hyundai for interior styling and execution, as its fit and finishes look more expensive than those in the Fiesta.

Both the Accent and the Fiesta have tough competition in all directions, not just from other subcompacts, but from cars within their own lineups. The Fiesta's barely less expensive than the fluidly styled, frisky-handling Focus; the Accent's next step up is the Hyundai Elantra, a North American Car of the Year Winner for more reasons than we should list here in a conclusion. But for those occasions where you're eager to show off a smaller body, there's ample reason to choose either of these entries--the Fiesta for its flavorful driving feel, or the Accent for its wider appeal and stronger value.

Will those considerations change for 2014? Possibly. The 2014 Ford Fiesta will be significantly changed--with not just a new front-end appearance, but new interior trims and, more importantly, two new engines in the lineup. A new 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder should return mileage ratings higher than 40 mpg on the highway, while the racy Fiesta ST, with its 197-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four and various performance upgrades, add up to a true 'hot hatch.'

2013 Hyundai Accent	2013 Ford Fiesta
TCC Rating
7.2 The 2013 Hyundai Accent is one of the best-equipped small cars, and it gets very good gas mileage, but it's not quite as exciting to drive as it looks.	7.6 Small cars don't need to be bland--the 2013 Ford Fiesta proves that with a saucy look and pert handling.
Styling
8The 2013 Hyundai Accent is sharp and sporty as a hatchback, but stubbier and less svelte as a sedan. Read more	8Inside and out, the spicy styling of the 2013 Ford Fiesta hides its affordable intentions. Read more
Performance
6The Accent merely meets econocar standards for acceleration and handling. Read more	7The 2013 Ford Fiesta is responsive and handles well, but it's not quick. Read more
Quality
7Six-footers--perhaps even four of them--will fit comfortably inside the 2013 Hyundai Accent's surprisingly vast interior. Read more	6The seating space and comfort of the 2013 Fiesta aren't quite on par with same-sized rivals, but materials and refinement are. Read more
Safety
7An 'acceptable' IIHS side-impact score is a sore point against an otherwise strong set of credentials. Read more	8The 2013 Ford Fiesta does better than many subcompacts in safety tests, and its feature set gets the nod. Read more
Features
8The Accent now offers a slew of standard features, with many more added for 2013--but misers might grimace at the $2,000 price hike. Read more	9Available leather seats and Ford's SYNC interface go a long way to erase any econobox impression. Read more
Green
8Simply put, the Accent gets great but not best-in-class gas mileage of 37 mpg highway. Read more	8The 2013 Ford Fiesta is no greener than its peers, but its gas mileage numbers are respectable. Read more
MSRP
from $14,545	from $13,200
Invoice
from $14,154	from $12,705
Fuel Economy - Combined City and Highway
32	33
Front Leg Room (in)
41.800	42.200
Second Leg Room (in)
33.300 Read Full Specs	31.200 Read Full Specs