2019 Hyundai Accent Review, Pricing, and Specs

Overview

Entry-level cars often offer only entry-level features, but the Hyundai Accent adds many upscale, desirable items to the subcompact segment—albeit as optional extras. A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available, for example, as is automated emergency braking. The Accent also comes wrapped in a grown-up exterior that won’t embarrass owners when it’s parked in the company lot next to larger, more expensive vehicles—at least the Accent in Limited spec does. Those with less to spend can still get a good bang for their buck with the base SE or the midrange SEL, so there’s something for every entry-level budget. Other rivals rely on bold styling or ultrapractical packaging to attract buyers, but for those seeking an unassuming but capable adult-themed small car, the Accent will deliver.

What’s New for 2019?

The base SE now comes with the chrome grille that matches the rest of the lineup, while the SEL now comes with fog lamps and chrome exterior trim that was exclusive to the Accent Limited last year. LED headlamps join the roster but are only available on the top-of-the-line Limited. The 2020 Hyundai Accent will receive minor updates, including a newly optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that promises improved fuel economy.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

It’s hard to recommend anything but the base SE with the manual transmission—after all, we are the Save the Manuals! people, and we love its cheap and cheerful demeanor. It comes standard with features such as Bluetooth phone connectivity, a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display, power windows, power locks, and power mirrors. We’d add just one option if we could: aluminum wheels. Unfortunately, Hyundai doesn’t offer them on the base SE, which comes with 15-inch steel wheels covered by flimsy-looking plastic hubcaps—a shame, since the Accent’s exterior styling is quite handsome otherwise.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Crisp-shifting manual transmission, tossable chassis, direct steering.
Dislikes: Buzzy engine, automatic delivers slothful acceleration, harsh bumps generate vibrations.

The Accent’s 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine makes 130 horsepower and drives the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Of the two, we’ve found the six-speed manual offers the most driving enjoyment with its crisp shifts and balanced clutch action. It also proved to be snappy on our test track, laying down a 7.5-second zero-to-60-mph time. The automatic transmission saps power; our Limited test car felt more lethargic and was measurably less zippy than the SE manual, sauntering to 60 mph 1.4 seconds slower than the manual model.

It’s clear that ride comfort takes a priority over deft handling. Still, the Accent feels lively, its small body is easily tossed into corners, and it’s even rewarding when pushed. The steering is light and effortless but loads up slightly when turned off-center; there’s a fair bit of feedback from the road ahead, and the steering is direct and accurate. Rough roads are smoothed out adequately by the suspension, but harsh impacts will generate vibrations through the cabin.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Small cars are expected to deliver good fuel-economy numbers, and the Accent does just that—but not any better than its rivals. Our real-world fuel-economy testing revealed an interesting anomaly: EPA estimates put the automatic ahead of the manual on the highway, but, curiously, our automatic-equipped Limited test car underperformed its EPA highway estimate by 2 mpg with a 36-mpg result while the base SE beat its EPA number by 4 mpg to deliver a phenomenal 41 mpg. So surprised were we that we actually ran the test again to make sure there wasn’t an error in our calculations. There wasn’t; our results were identical both times.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Grown-up interior design, well-connected optional infotainment system, plenty of cargo space.
Dislikes: Small standard infotainment display, hard-plastic interior pieces, snug rear seat.

The Accent’s grown-up interior seems well built, but it lacks the cheeky style of the Kia Rio or the rear-seat spaciousness of the Honda Fit—which provides nearly six inches of additional rear legroom. Sporting a frill-free interior design, the Accent is uncomplicated and honest. Both of our test cars had a black interior, which, although well built, provided a somber, businesslike appearance. The optional beige interior imparts a richer feeling, with two-tone tan and black seats and a similar treatment for the dash and door panels. Very few interior panels are soft to the touch, but the vast expanses of hard plastic are nicely grained and don’t feel cheap.

A 5.0-inch touchscreen radio is standard and provides USB and auxiliary ports for connecting devices to the interface, but the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that comes on SEL and Limited trims is higher tech. The larger display also boasts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as a second USB port located on the back of the center console. Both systems offer Bluetooth phone connectivity, but the 7.0-inch touchscreen also comes with SiriusXM satellite radio.

Despite its sedan body and a smaller amount of cargo space with the rear seats up, the Accent had room for more of our carry-on cases than did its more practically shaped hatchback Rio. In fact, with its rear seats folded, the Accent held just two fewer cases than the especially spacious Fit.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn’t released crash-test results for the Accent yet, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named it a Top Safety Pick. Automated emergency braking and forward-collision warning are optional driver-assistance features not offered on many of the Accent’s rivals. Key safety features include:

• Available forward-collision warning
• Available automated emergency braking

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

At 10 years or 100,000 miles, Hyundai and sister company Kia have the best powertrain warranties available, and the Accent is the latest in Hyundai’s lineup to carry this class-leading coverage. Complimentary scheduled maintenance is the only thing missing from this winning warranty.

• Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance