- Highs: Sophisticated styling, eager handling, businesslike cabin
- Lows: Noisy powertrain, cramped rear-seat passenger space, no hatchback body style.
- Verdict: A small car for frugal grown-ups.
Overview
If
you think it's impossible to be frugal and also park a nicely equipped
new car in your driveway, you need to test-drive the 2020 Hyundai
Accent. Offered in three distinct trims—from the price leader SE to the
loaded Limited—the Accent provides something for everyone's budget. Its
1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is as efficient as the car's base price
would suggest. It was found that the lightweight Accent was fun to drive and easy
to pitch into corners with enough speed to make the tires squeal. In
this case, the old saying is true: It's more fun to drive a slow car
fast than to drive a fast car slow. If you just need a no-frills commuter-mobile, the Accent's cabin is spacious and utilitarian;
higher-spec SEL and Limited models come with more gear than the base
car, but all three come with touchscreen infotainment.
What's New for 2020?
The smallest Hyundai receives a new four-cylinder engine and an optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) replaces last year's six-speed automatic; these changes improve the Accent's EPA combined fuel economy
rating by 4 mpg. The new engine makes 10 fewer horsepower than the
engine in the 2019 Accent, but we expect performance to be about the
same. A six-speed manual transmission remains standard, and it's the one
we'd pick.
Pricing andSuggestion
- SE: $16,125
- SEL: $18,480
- Limited: $20,230
It's no secret that we're fans of manual transmission cars, and it's refreshing to find a gold ol' stick shift offered as standard in the Accent.
Unfortunately, it's only offered on the base level SE trim, which comes
stripped down and lacking many of the features many car buyers might
call essential. Still, it's a decently equipped and inexpensive small
sedan and it's the one we'd suggest. For us, it's missing just one
feature: aluminum wheels. Hyundai, hear our plea: Lose the cheap-looking
steel wheels with wheel covers!
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The
Accent's 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine makes 120 horsepower and drives
the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or continuously
variable automatic transmission (CVT). The four-cylinder is new for 2020
and we've not tested one, but we expect performance similar to last
year's model which offered 130 horsepower. It's clear that ride comfort
takes priority over deft handling. Still, the Accent feels lively, its
small body is easily tossed into corners, and it's even rewarding when
pushed. Rough roads are smoothed out adequately by the suspension, but
harsh impacts will generate vibrations through the cabin.
2020 Hyundai Accent Limited
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Small
cars are expected to deliver good fuel-economy numbers, and the Accent
does just that. The new four-cylinder engine has improved fuel economy
across the lineup: manual-transmission models are rated at 33 mpg
combined and automatic models claim a 36 mpg combined rating. We haven't
had the chance to put the Accent's new powertrain through our
real-world highway fuel-economy testing, but last year's less efficient
model impressed us with a 41 mpg result when equipped with the standard
six-speed manual transmission.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
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. Despite its sedan body
and a smaller amount of cargo space with the rear seats in use, 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.
Infotainment and Connectivity
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.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn't released
crash-test results for the Accent, 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
