Overview & Reviews
Since its 1995 introduction, the Hyundai Accent has served as the company's entry-level small car. Although grouped with similarly priced subcompact cars, the Accent sedan and hatchback have always fallen under the EPA's classification for a compact car, which translates to a surprisingly roomy interior. Other typical Accent advantages include generous standard equipment, a choice of hatchback and sedan body styles and long warranty coverage.
The latest Hyundai Accent has made great strides toward front-runner status in this competitive segment, which is a welcome change from past models. It is now larger inside and out, and the overall look of the car is certainly more dynamic. Performance and overall quality have been notably improved as well. Prior to the current-generation car, older Accents suffered from low safety ratings and an overall level of quality that didn't match up to some competitors.
Current Hyundai Accent
Available as a sedan or a four-door hatchback, the Accent comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed automatic is also available. Power output is impressive for the class, and the Accent gets excellent fuel economy as well.
The sedan comes only in base GLS trim, while the hatchback comes in GS and the top-line SE trims. The GLS is nicely equipped with air-conditioning, full power accessories and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and iPod/USB/auxiliary input jacks. Option highlights including foglights, alloy wheels, keyless entry, upgraded interior trim, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control and Bluetooth are available. The GS hatchback adds a few extra features. Stepping up to the SE hatchback gets you pretty much all of the optional features as standard.
Inside, the Hyundai Accent has a look and feel that's a cut above most rivals, with patterned upholstery, a sculpted dash and a modern overall design. Although some drivers may be bothered by the lack of a telescoping steering wheel as standard equipment on most trims, taller passengers will find all but the rear center seat roomy and comfortable. Cargo space is also quite accommodating, especially in the hatchback models.
On the road, the Accent's four-cylinder engine pulls significantly stronger than the power plants of its major competitors. Both the six-speed manual and the six-speed automatic transmissions make good use of that output, too. What it lacks in sporty handling dynamics, it compensates for with a quiet, comfortable ride and good overall composure -- criteria likely more important to buyers shopping this segment. That the Accent performs this well overall while still rating an EPA-estimated 31 mpg combined is impressive. Overall, the Hyundai Accent stands as a front-runner in the subcompact segment.
Used Hyundai Accent Models
The Hyundai Accent was fully redesigned for 2012, marking its fourth generation. Compared to the previous generation, this Accent is roomier inside, with a more stylish design and a more powerful and fuel-efficient engine. There haven't been any major changes since, although the optional telescoping steering wheel didn't become available until 2014.
The third-generation Hyundai Accent was built from 2006-'11. It's a cost-effective choice for a used car, though not a particularly exciting one. All third-generation Accents were powered by 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 110 hp and 106 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices included either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
During its run, a steady progression of changes and improvements were implemented. Initially, a sedan body style and single trim level were available. In 2007, a two-door hatchback was added to the lineup along with additional trim levels: the GS and SE were offered on the hatchback and GLS was the only sedan choice.
GS models were modestly appointed with the bare necessities. The SE added 16-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, power accessories, a CD player, a sport-tuned suspension and quicker steering. The GLS sedan included air-conditioning and the audio system as standard, with power accessories and alloy wheels optional. A sunroof and an upgraded audio system were optional on the SE.
There was a slight bump in fuel economy for 2009, as well as available cruise control. For 2010, the entry-level Blue trim joined the lineup as the new value leader, but was renamed the GL one year later. In the meantime, the GS received standard air-conditioning. USB connectivity was added to the available auxiliary input in 2010. Used car shoppers should pay special attention to whether or not an Accent has antilock brakes, as the car's braking distance grows excessively long without them. Antilock brakes weren't even an option for the GS until 2010. Finally in 2011, all Accents featured it as standard.
In reviews, we found the third-generation Accent to be a decent choice for those seeking basic, fuel-efficient transportation, but plain styling and cheap materials kept appeal fairly low. Still, there was enough interior space for average-sized adults to get comfortable in the front or rear. Driving the Accent offered no revelations in performance, but the brakes were strong (with ABS) and ride quality and handling were acceptable for an economy car. Power was adequate for driving around town, but sluggish at highway speeds in automatic-transmission models. One final aspect to consider is the Accent's crash test scores; it performed very poorly in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's side-impact crash test.
The second-generation Accent was sold in sedan and hatchback form from 2000-'05. Initially, this Accent was offered only with an 89-hp, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (horsepower varied slightly over the years). A 104-hp, 1.6-liter engine joined the lineup in 2001 and replaced the 1.5-liter altogether in 2003. Acceleration was adequate even with the 1.5-liter engine, however, and both the automatic and manual transmissions perform acceptably.
Handling and braking capabilities were modest on second-gen Accents, mainly because of the car's undersized 13-inch wheels and tires. Hyundai did offer the 2004 and '05 GT hatchback with 14-inch wheels and a firmer suspension, but if you're buying any used Accent, it's a good idea to set aside some money for better tires. Unfortunately, antilock brakes were optional only on 2005 Accents. Front seat-mounted side airbags were standard on 2003 GL sedans and hatchbacks, and on all 2004 and '05 models.
Sold from 1995-'99, the first-generation Hyundai Accent was also available as both a compact sedan and a three-door hatchback; it replaced Hyundai's shoddily built Excel subcompact (1986-'94). All Accents of this era came with a 92-hp, 1.5-liter engine, except for the 1996 and '97 GT hatch, which had a DOHC, 16-valve version of this engine good for 105 hp. ABS was optional on automatic transmission-equipped Accents sold from 1995-'98, but this safety feature was discontinued entirely for 1999 and didn't turn up again until 2005.
User Reviews:
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Hyundai Accent: A Quality Vehicle - 2001 Hyundai Accent
By Rich Landau - July 14 - 2:00 amWhen in the winter of 2000 my 1989 Honda Civic clamored for yet another exhaust system repair (can you say "poor design"?), Id had enough! My only knowledge of Hyundai was of the Excel back in the 1980s. A real POS! Recent commentary on the brand revealed that times had changed that Hyundai was now manufacturing quality vehicles at VERY affordable prices, backed by the industrys best warranty. A few months worth of research (Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, et al) and several test drives led me to buy a 2001 Hyundai Accent GS (hatchback) at a bargain price. $4,000-$6,000 less expensive than any comparable car in its class.
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Good fuel economy. Bad parts - 1998 Hyundai Accent
By Adriana - July 11 - 2:00 amNice design and economy with bad quality parts. After 56K miles, the (automatic) transmission went out and the resale price is too bad, so it is not worth to fix it. I am now looking for a more reliable vehicle (not a Hyundai). Maybe later models are better or at least the warranty will cover something like this.
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Good Solid Car - 1995 Hyundai Accent
By modee - July 10 - 2:00 amThis was my second Hyundai, and it was a great choice. I have been driving this car for seven years, and it is still like new to me. There have been no unpleasant surprises, just regular maintenance. The ride is a little rough, so that you seem to be going much faster than you are (which is good for folks like me who drive too fast), but other than that it has really great drivability. And, it has a cute butt.
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Great engine and transmission--well built! - 2017 Hyundai Accent
By Tom - July 7 - 8:13 amThe 1.6 engine and 6 speed auto makes this car a great value! It is solid and gets you from point A to B easily! The seats are comfortable and supportive. The stereo really sounds decent for a small car. The warranty is the best and can be expanded to a 10 year 120,000 bumper to bumper! You wont find that with any other small car!
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Great Value Car! - 1997 Hyundai Accent
By nevadahorn - June 30 - 2:00 amPlain and Simple. This is a point A to point B car. No frills... but its reliability has been tremendous. I have put 76K miles on my Hyundai in 6 years - and I have never had one mechanical problem with the car yet (knock on wood.) While friends have struggled at times with pricier and nicer cars, my Accent just goes and goes. And when you factor in that I paid 8K for it, its been a great value.
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cant beat it for the price - 2002 Hyundai Accent
By gnx - June 28 - 2:00 ami bought my accent used with 8900 miles on it,its a 2002,really like the car alot.only prob, so far was window washer failed.dealer was great in fixing the problem.would reccomend this car to anyone.
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First Hyundai - 2000 Hyundai Accent
By gojo - June 25 - 2:00 amThree years and 38000 miles with no problems.Consistantly hit 40 mpg on highway & average 35 around town. This car is no sports car, but for the money I couldnt be happier. Just changed original tires with Coopers & what a difference in ride, noise and handling. Hyundai I am impressed so far with your entry level car.
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BOUGHT IT TODAY - 2003 Hyundai Accent
By ICEBURG - June 25 - 2:00 amI have just traded in my 2002 Toyota Celica GT for a Hyundai Accent. I basically could not justify paying $500.00 a month for a car (the Celica). I decided to put my money into renovating my home, so I needed to get out of my Celica lease and get into the cheapest car I could find for the value. My wife and I test drove a lot of cars, went to a lot of dealerships, it came down to the echo and the accent. My wife fell in love with the accent so we got it. It was funner to drive and more comfortable than the echo. It is no Celica (I loved that car) but it will be an ok substitute for the next 5 years.
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nice car with lots of room! - 2001 Hyundai Accent
By clintondee - June 22 - 2:00 amThe Accent really delivers a high quality ride and a very nice interior package for a very attractive price. The 1.6 liter engine runs great and the tranny shifts well, some downshifting is noted on low speed turns though. The hatchback design is fantastic and the room in the car is really surprising for such a small car. The Accent comfortably holds 4 adults with room for their luggage.
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2 Time Accent Owner - 2003 Hyundai Accent
By kjp022503 - June 19 - 2:00 amI owned a 2001 Accent 2dr prior to this purchase. The 2dr ran well for the 2 yrs, never a problem other than a fuse and a minor recall. I needed a 4dr so I researched all the 4 door sedans under 15K and the Accent was once again the way to go. GREAT WITH GAS, the pickup is average(if I wanted a powerful engine I would have gone with another car), you are not going to corner well with the 13 inch tires. If possible I may move up to 14 inch tires for better handling. So far so good on the 2003, Excellent Value if you are looking for a car to get you from Point A to Point B
