Hyundai Accent Review

2012 Hyundai Accent GLS Sedan

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  • 2010 Hyundai Accent GS Hatchback View photos
    2010 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $9,336 Find Used Inventory
  • 2010 Hyundai Accent GLS Sedan View photos
    2010 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $12,491 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Hyundai Accent GS Hatchback View photos
    2009 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $8,671 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Hyundai Accent GLS Sedan View photos
    2009 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $10,901 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Hyundai Accent GS Hatchback View photos
    2008 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $8,080 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Hyundai Accent GLS Sedan View photos
    2008 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $9,674 Find Used Inventory
  • 2007 Hyundai Accent SE Hatchback View photos
    2007 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $7,120 Find Used Inventory
  • 2007 Hyundai Accent GLS Sedan View photos
    2007 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $8,511 Find Used Inventory
  • 2006 Hyundai Accent GLS 4dr Sedan View photos
    2006 Hyundai Accent Used TMV from $7,166 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 Hyundai Accent GL 2dr Hatchback View photos
    2005 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $5,150 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 Hyundai Accent GL 4dr Sedan View photos
    2005 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $5,598 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 Hyundai Accent Exterior View photos
    2004 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $4,176 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 Hyundai Accent Exterior View photos
    2004 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $4,356 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 Hyundai Accent GL 2dr Hatchback View photos
    2003 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $3,277 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 Hyundai Accent Exterior View photos
    2003 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $3,891 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Hyundai Accent GS 2dr Hatchback View photos
    2002 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $2,858 Find Used Inventory
  • 2000 Hyundai Accent 4 Dr GL Sedan View photos
    2002 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $3,359 Find Used Inventory
  • 2000 Hyundai Accent 2 Dr L Hatchback View photos
    2001 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $2,321 Find Used Inventory
  • 2001 Hyundai Accent GL 4dr Sedan View photos
    2001 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $2,805 Find Used Inventory
  • 2000 Hyundai Accent Exterior View photos
    2000 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $2,171 Find Used Inventory
  • 2000 Hyundai Accent Exterior View photos
    2000 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $2,446 Find Used Inventory
  • 1999 Hyundai Accent 2 Dr GS Hatchback View photos
    1999 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $1,710 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 Hyundai Accent 4dr GL Sedan View photos
    1999 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $2,002 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 Hyundai Accent 2 Dr GSi Hatchback View photos
    1998 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $1,466 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 Hyundai Accent 4dr GL Sedan View photos
    1998 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $1,774 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 Hyundai Accent 2 Dr L Hatchback View photos
    1997 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $1,346 Find Used Inventory
  • 1997 Hyundai Accent 4 Dr GL Sedan View photos
    1997 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $1,473 Find Used Inventory
  • 1997 Hyundai Accent 2 Dr L Hatchback View photos
    1996 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $1,143 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 Hyundai Accent 4 Dr STD Sedan View photos
    1996 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $1,211 Find Used Inventory
  • 1997 Hyundai Accent 2 Dr GT Hatchback View photos
    1995 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Used TMV from $1,002 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 Hyundai Accent 4 Dr STD Sedan View photos
    1995 Hyundai Accent Sedan Used TMV from $1,043 Find Used Inventory

Style and glamour may have eluded the Hyundai Accent, but since its 1995 introduction, this economy car has been one of the better-built, better-performing choices at the bottom end of the new car market. 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 Accent advantages include its quiet cabin, a generous standard equipment list and decent acceleration (especially when paired with the five-speed manual) and handling. Generous warranty coverage is another plus: Since 1999, Hyundai has backed the Accent with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty.

But there are two reasons you might avoid the generally competent Hyundai Accent: low safety ratings, and an increasingly diverse selection of competitors. Competing import manufacturers offer new models with added style, personality and options availability. Another drawback is the Accent's typically low resale value (though this does make it quite affordable on the used market). For buyers who don't need all the glitz and plan to keep their car for more than five years, though, the Hyundai Accent is a sensible choice among budget sedans and three-door hatchbacks.

Current Hyundai Accent
The Hyundai Accent is a five-passenger compact offered in four trim levels: GL, GS, SE and GLS. The GL, GS and the SE are two-door hatchbacks, while the GLS is available only as a four-door sedan. All Accents are powered by a 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. Transmission choices are either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

The base GL makes do without a standard stereo, but does feature a six-way-adjustable driver seat with height adjustment, a reclining 60/40-split rear seatback, front seat-mounted side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Moving up through the trims nets air-conditioning, AM/FM radio and optional power accessories and antilock brakes (standard on SE and optional on GS and GLS sedan). The SE also offers alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Inside, there's a clean, two-tone decor with straightforward controls. But plain styling and cheap-looking materials make the Accent less attractive when compared to newer competitors. Still, there's enough interior space that average-sized adults can get comfortable in the front or rear. In terms of feature content, the Hyundai Accent delivers on all the essentials.

In reviews, we've found the Accent to be a good choice for those seeking basic, fuel-efficient transportation. Driving the Accent offers no revelations in performance, but the brakes are strong, and ride quality and handling are fully acceptable for an economy car. The four-cylinder engine provides ample power for driving around town, but acceleration can be sluggish at highway speeds in automatic-transmission models. Get the manual gearbox if you can.

Used Hyundai Accent Models
The current-generation Hyundai Accent dates back to 2006, when it was introduced in sedan body style only -- the two-door hatchback arrived a year later. There was a slight bump in fuel economy for '09, as well as the added options of cruise control and a sunroof. For 2010, the Blue trim joined the lineup as the new value leader, while the SE got standard cruise control and a sunroof, and USB connectivity was added to the available auxiliary input. Most importantly, antilock brakes became available on the Accent GS. Used car shoppers should pay special attention to whether or not an Accent has ABS, as the car's braking distance grows excessively long without it.

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 '04 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 '03 GL sedans and hatchbacks, and on all '04 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 '96 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 '99 and didn't turn up again until 2005.

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