Though it's officially compact in size, the 2012 Hyundai Accent is priced more like the smaller subcompacts you know and love, or maybe are waiting anxiously on.
The Accent's space is like that of the Honda Fit, but the Accent lacks the Fit's flexible rear seat, and some of its Honda price premium.
The Ford Fiesta pitches itself as a more sporty small car, and even if it's not quite all that, it still has the techtastic Sync system in its win column.
The Nissan Versa is new for 2012, and it's still big, and still fairly plain--virtues in this class, we think.
The Yaris is renewed this year, with a bit more flair.
The most intriguing competition might be the Chevrolet Sonic, which wedges a turbo four from the bigger Cruze into a robo-chunky body for the kind of fun we remember fondly from the old Suzuki Swift GT.
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 2012 Hyundai AccentBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Chevrolet SonicBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Ford FiestaBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Honda FitBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Nissan VersaBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Toyota YarisBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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Do Americans want small cars with more room and great gas mileage? The 2012 Hyundai Accent is betting they do--and so are we. |
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is neither subsonic nor supersonic—but it's a good, sound choice and a world better than the Aveo it replaces. |
You could do better if you most value space and comfort, but the 2012 Ford Fiesta packs in a lot of style and substance. |
The 2012 Honda Fit is peppy and fun to drive, and its interior is incredibly space-efficient; but some might be turned off by its rather utilitarian look. |
The 2012 Nissan Versa is a reasonably comfortable, well-equipped new car for used-car money—but if you're a stickler for the details it can feel as cheap as it is. |
The 2012 Toyota Yaris is fuel-efficient in the city without hybrid hardware, and it has an nicely appointed interior that feels cheerful but not cheapskate; but its weak performance and highway refinement aren't up to current class standards. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $12,545 | $13,865 | $13,200 | $15,325 | $10,990 | $14,115 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 28 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 28 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 27 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 30 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Subcompact Car | Subcompact | Small Station Wagon | Compact | Subcompact |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Sedan Manual GLS | 4-Door Sedan LS 1LS | 4-Door Sedan S | 5-Door HB Manual | 4-Door Sedan Manual 1.6 S | 3-Door Liftback Manual L (GS) |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | 4 | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | Sedan | 5 Door Hatchback | 4 Door Sedan | 3 Door Hatchback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2012 Hyundai Accent vs. 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | 2012 Hyundai Accent vs. 2012 Ford Fiesta | 2012 Hyundai Accent vs. 2012 Honda Fit | 2012 Hyundai Accent vs. 2012 Nissan Versa | 2012 Hyundai Accent vs. 2012 Toyota Yaris | |
