The 2012 model year welcomes a complete redesign of Hyundai's popular, fuel-efficient subcompact, the front-wheel-drive Accent.
A fourth-generation revamping is welcome and needed as the competition in this entry-level, youth-oriented segment heats up. The first-generation Accent arrived back in the mid 1990's. Also in 2012, Chevrolet introduces its all-new Sonic, a subcompact miles ahead of the South-Korean-built Aveo it replaces.
Both uni body-framed Accent and Sonic boast 138 horsepower, tops in class. By comparison the 2012 subcompact Nissan Versa delivers 109 horses while Ford's 2012 feisty Fiesta generates 120. The subcompact audience is a price-sensitive, fuel-conscious group made up of a large percentage of first-time buyers. With a $12,445 starting price, Accent boasts one of the lowest starting prices in the class (Chevy Sonic starts at $13,865). The highest-priced Hyundai Accent tops out below a mere $16,795.
Hyundai's 2012 Accent also blows past the 40 mile-per-gallon signpost. The 40 mpg highway is an 18 percent improvement over its 2011 counterpart. While both the Chevrolet Sonic and Hyundai Accent reach 40 miles per gallon highway, Accent achieves this with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; in effect all Accent trims, no matter what transmission, attain 40 mpg estimated highway miles. Only Sonic's married to a six-speed manual (and upgraded four-cylinder Turbo engine adding an additional $700) reach the 40 mpg plateau. In city travel, Accent averages an impressive 30 miles per gallon.
The 2012 Accent also went on a diet of sorts thanks to an all new Gamma 1.6-liter four-cylinder, high-pressure gas direct injection (GDI)engine that's 40 pounds lighter than the outgoing Alpha powertrain. It's the first subcompact featuring advanced GDI technology helping to attain higher mileage while reducing tailpipe emissions. Highly pressurized fuel gets direct cylinder injection during the compression stroke. It's Accent's sole engine and quite a step forward for subcompacts. Larger amounts of high-strength steel also lighten Accent's load. Despite the weight loss, its wheelbase is 2.8-inches longer and sedan body styles are 3.5 inches longer than outgoing 2011s.
While 2012 Accents feature nine exterior colors and three interior hues, the ordering process has been smartly simplified. Two body styles (four-door sedan and five-door hatchback) are offered. Three-door hatchbacks get sent packing. The four-door sedan comes strictly as a GLS ($12,545 starting price) while five-door hatchbacks offer GS ($14,695) and SE ($15,895) trims. Add $775 for destination charge. Six-speed manual transmission comes standard while six-speed automatic is offered in all trims.
Keep in mind air conditioning is not standard in GLS sedans with manual transmission. A $1,750 comfort package adds A/C, power windows/mirrors and XM satellite radio/MP3 audio player and USB port. However, if ordering a GLS with six-speed automatic transmission ($15,295) A/C, power windows/mirrors and XM radio/USB port come standard. Both five-door trims include air conditioning, satellite radio and power windows standard. All trims include six air bags, traction control and anti-lock brakes. Four wheel disc brakes come standard in a class where rear disc brakes are sometimes hard to find.
Our Marathon Blue GLS test sedan with $15,195 base price and automatic transmission included a $1,300 premium package (cruise control, secondary steering wheel audio controls) and dealer add ons including $95 floor mats and $35 iPod cable bringing the bottom line to $16,625. Hyundai projects the GLS as the volume-leading trim.
Inside cloth seating material comes standard. Leather is not offered. The two-tone dash and doors incorporate attractive, textured plastic. Ventilation functions include three large, easy-to-grab dials. Just above in the center stack is a U-shaped region with audio system (AM/FM CD/Satellite radio) sporting average-sized push buttons, two rectangular vents and a circular red hazard button. Under the sound system are a 12-volt outlet and USB port. Pull tabs releasing the fuel door and trunk lid are floor bound left of the driver's bucket. The simplistic, flat instrument panel includes two circular analog gauges with a small digital message window top center in between. The three-spoke steering wheel with ignition cylinder flanked on the right side manually tilts up but does not telescope out. Two inline cup holders situate between front buckets along with a hand-operated parking brake. In front is a small carved out cove for cell phones. Also close by is an available sliding armrest/storage bin not usually found in sub compacts. Sunglasses may be stored in a ceiling holder near the rear-view mirror.
In back, 60/40 split seat backs fold flat onto cushions once circular pull tabs atop backrests are yanked up. Two adults fit with optimal comfort; three's a crowd even for short jaunts. Ample headroom is found in front and back even for six-footers. In-dash GPS navigation is not offered nor is a backseat DVD screen or entertainment system.
From the outside, Accent's fluidic sculpture gives the impression of a car in motion even when standing still thanks to a hexagon front grill, rear spoiler and rising front-to-rear side belt line. Special detail gets paid to side-view mirrors now sporting anti-noise connectors (but no secondary blinker bands). Hatchback versions include a rear wiper standard. Sedan versions utilize the ignition key to unlock the trunk rather than the key fob remote. Strap-like handles adorn side doors. The sedan's square rear window meets up with an elevated, short trunk deck lid. Large cat's eye headlight housing flank a very small grill with circular Hyundai logo front and center. Trunk volume is a subcompact-generous 13.7 cubic feet. A spare tire doesn't come standard although a fix-a-flat kit resides under a lift-able flat cargo floor.
The recently tested Sonic with up-graded 1.4-liter turbo was the smoothest-running of the three recently tested subcompact engines. However, the Accent's advanced 1.6-liter GDI has the edge over the Sonic's base 1.8-liter four banger. Accent's fuel tank holds a rather small 11.4 gallons of regular unleaded fuel.
While Hyundai (South Korea's largest automaker) opened its first U.S. assembly plant in Montgomery Alabama back 2005, Accents are assembled on the Korean peninsula. Accent joins Hyundai's ever-growing lineup including the recently introduced sporty compact Veloster (with three side doors), and multi-pampered Equus luxury sedan.
Accent places fuel economy as a top priority with suspension tuned for a conservative, not sporty audience.
Vehicles including the redesigned 2012 Accent have elevated Hyundai in the eyes of consumers. In 1998, Hyundai's U.S. market share was less than one percent. At the end of 2011, it had climbed to approximately 5.6 percent. Accent tops Chevy Sonic in the warranty sweepstakes with its industry leading 10-year 100,000-mile powertrain coverage topping Chevy's five-year/100,000 offering.
2012 Hyundai Accent sedanPrice as tested: $16,625
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Length: 172 inches
Width: 66.9 inches
Engine: 1.6-liter, GDI four cylinder
Horsepower: 138
Curb weight: 2,396 pounds
Powertrain warranty: 10 year/100,000-miles
City/Highway economy: 30/40 mpg
Assembly: Ulsan, South Korea