The Hyundai Accent is the South Korean automaker's smallest offering, making it a good choice for consumers looking for something more compact or for urban streets. With a variety of changes for the 2018 model, the fifth generation of the Accent moves upstream with a new look, more tech features, a revised engine, and an updated chassis. The changes solidify the Accent's position as a value leader in the subcompact segment.
What's New for 2018
The Hyundai Accent is an all-new model for 2018. A new chassis underpins the Accent, the vehicle gets a design overhaul with touches from some of the automaker's larger vehicles, an updated engine, and new tech features.
Choosing Your Hyundai Accent
The 2018 Accent is only available in the sedan body style, as Hyundai has dropped the hatchback body from the lineup. A 1.6-liter inline-four engine is the only available motor for the Accent lineup. Despite being updated from the engine in last year's model, the motor produces less power, putting out 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, while a six-speed automatic transmission is available. The Accent is only available with front-wheel drive.
While power is down, fuel economy figures have improved over last year's model, with an EPA rating of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway for Accents with the automatic transmission. Models equipped with the manual gearbox lose one mpg on the highway.
Hyundai has made a name for itself by packing its vehicles with a lengthy list of standard features and it's the same case with the new Accent. Higher trim levels comes with forward collision-avoidance assist, which is a rare feature in the segment, a driver's blind spot mirror, and a remote keyless entry system. Other notable features on the Accent include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, a seven-inch touchscreen display, and automatic temperature control.
The 2018 Accent is available in three trims, and as if that doesn't make it easy enough to configure, there are no packaged options to choose from. Simply pick an interior and exterior color, and be on your way.
SE
The base SE trim costs $15,880, including the destination fee. The base Accent is the only model in the lineup to offer a six-speed manual transmission. Replacing this standard setup with a six-speed automatic adds $1,000 to the price tag.
Standard features include bodycolor exterior mirrors, 15-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth, power windows (something its corporate cousin, the equally new Kia Rio does without) and door locks, a remote keyless entry system, a five-inch color touchscreen, and a four-speaker audio system.
SEL
The SEL trim is the middle child and costs $18,180. Hyundai replaced the steel wheels for 15-inch alloys, and added automatic headlight control and heated exterior mirrors. On the inside, the sedan has a driver's sliding armrest storage box, a seatback pocket, an exterior temperature display, Bluetooth connectivity, a seven-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, and dual USB charging as standard.
The SEL is a smart staring point in the Accent range, as it's the first model available with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Limited
The Limited trim is the range-topping model in the Accent lineup and has a price tag of $19,780. It adds 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, a sunroof, chrome window belt molding, and side mirrors with integrated turn signals on the outside. The interior features premium cloth seats, heated front seats, automatic temperature control, and push-button start. A 3.5-inch display pops into the instrument cluster, displaying relevant information on fuel economy and other driving data.
Notably, the Limited is the only Accent available with rear disc brakes, provided more sure-footed stopping power than the rear drums in the SE and SEL.
While the Hyundai Accent comes with a lot of standard features as standard, moving up to the SEL trim is a worthy upgrade as it brings more creature comforts. Consumers wanting features that aren't normally found in a subcompact vehicle, like forward collision warning and automatic temperature control can move up to the Limited trim and still have a good value proposition on their hands.