Hyundai Accent

The cabin design of the Hyundai Accent leans towards a refined look. Stepping inside, you will be greeted with metallic accents on the cockpit. Not only that, but you will notice the quality and sturdy materials used in decorating the interior. The standard features include vanity mirrors, seatback pockets, and an air conditioning vent for the rear passengers. In comparison, the range-topping trims provide automatic climate control. The automaker also gave the Accent tilt-adjustable steering wheel paired with tech-savvy controls to compensate for the absence of a touchscreen infotainment system.

The front passenger seat, along with the driver seat, is equipped with manual adjustment. The seats of this subcompact sedan are also accompanied by fabric upholstery and are up for grabs in three colors, namely, beige, grey dual-tone, and black monotone. On the other hand, comfort and convenience are not all present in the basic trims, but with the upper trims, it is worth the upgrade. The Accent also comes with power windows along with centralized door looks, conventional gauges, rear headrests, and power-adjustable side mirrors as a standard.

Comfort & Entertainment

For comfort, the Hyundai Accent is decked with a fair amount. The seats are quite comfortable; however, they are not supportive; thus, drivers may have a hard time finding their snug position, especially with the tilt-only steering wheel, to boot.

The Hyundai Accent falls short of all the new technologies with no touchscreen infotainment system, which is quite disappointing. However, the automaker made sure to compensate for the lack of advancement. Such that, the steering wheel is packed with audio and Bluetooth controls, and there is also a functionality to answer or drop calls. The instrument cluster, a twin-pod unit, is decked with information regarding the travel time, trip, average efficiency, and distance to empty.

The Hyundai Accent delivers a sleek yet refined look similar to its brother, The Hyundai Elantra; however, seeing this in the freeway will not impress you as much as the other subcompact sedans. Although it now looks more modern and sleek thanks to the modifications. Overall, the Fluidic Sculpture design by the automaker brings out the uniqueness of the Accent. The brilliant carmaker put emphasis on organic shapes and flowing lines since they took inspiration from nature, per se, as it is made up of curves rather than sharp angles. The front fascia of the basic trims, on the other hand, features a trapezoid grille or otherwise called ‘Cascading Grille’ along with horizontal bars showcasing the company's symbol; two halogen headlamps also flank the grille. In contrast, the range-topping trims make use of LED headlights, taillights, as well as daytime running lights.

The automaker also made some modifications such that compared to the former generation of the Hyundai Accent, the updated model’s overall height has been whittled down. And in terms of length and tires, it has been lengthened and has a larger and wider appearance, respectively. All of the Hyundai Accent’s variants measure 4,440 mm in length, 1,729 mm in width, and 1,460 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm. This subcompact sedan comes in 8 various colors — Coffee Brown, Sonic Silver, Dazzling Blue, Veloster Red, Misty Beige, White Crystal, Phantom Black, and Sleek Silver.

Passenger & Boot Space

The Hyundai Accent can seat up to five passengers, including the driver. It offers a decent amount of both head and legroom space. However, the passengers at the rear seats may be bothered by the limited headroom spaces thanks to the swoopy roofline. In this case, children and average-sized people are preferred to sit in the back seats. This subcompact sedan has about 495-liters of boot space which is not much considering what other rivals can offer. But still, it can do the job and carry on a few luggage, approximately four large suitcases. With the seats folded forward, it doubles its capacity.

In terms of suspension, the sedan makes use of MacPherson struts with coil springs at the front, and for the rear, it uses a torsion beam axle. Since its debut, the Hyundai Accent subcompact sedan has provided a pleasant driving experience however, considering the passengers at the back, they may not enjoy the bumpy ride. On top of that, the handling is not up to par. Body roll is limited even on somewhat bumpy roads, and the car remains stable. Aside from its few drawbacks, the new modifications improved the drive quality.

The Hyundai Accent houses a robust engine although the chassis, per se, is not a compatible match. Maneuvering around is easier with the light and responsive steering supplied by a motor driver power steering unit, and cornering is more efficient and with improved grip. Apart from that, all variants have no issues with Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH).

The Hyundai Accent is powered by two engine options — a 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine that can churn a power output of 126 horsepower and a torque of 260 Nm; and a naturally aspirated 1.4-liter gasoline engine that can produce a power output of 99 horsepower and a torque of 132 Nm. Both engines are available in either of the two gearboxes: a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic.

The subcompact sedan is available in 8 variants in the local market as of 2021. The base and mid-range trim house the 1.4-liter petrol-powered engines, while the four top-spec trims make use of the 1.5-liter diesel-powered mills.

If we talk about Fuel Consumption

The Hyundai Accent hosts a fuel capacity of 45-liters. On the highway, the sedan performs nicely, is swift when needed, and has strong acceleration throughout the rpm range. The Accent achieves a remarkable fuel efficiency of 27 to 37 kmpl depending on the transmission. Given the parameters, the 6-speed manual clearly outperforms the others in terms of fuel economy and performance.

The 1.4-liter Dual Continuous Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) petrol engine can churn a power output of 100 horsepower at 6000 rpm and a torque of 13.6 Nm at 3500 revs per minute. In comparison, the 1.6-liter CRDi VGT diesel with either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic can produce a power output of 136 PS at 4000 revs per minute. The only difference is their torque. The former can churn 26.5 Nm of peak torque between 1500 and 3500 revs per minute, and the latter can produce 30.6 Nm of torque between 1750 and 2500 revs per minute.

The Hyundai Accent has a lot to offer when it comes to safety. However, some of the trims do not include SRS or airbags, which is dangerous for all the occupants. The plus side here is that you get more options to choose from with just a little price difference. This subcompact sedan boasts added protection in the event of potential car accidents as it is built with 50% reinforced and advanced high-strength steel. To name a few standard features, it includes ABS with EBD, and Hill Start Assist, and Brake Assist for the top variants.

This subcompact sedan has no recent ANCAP rating; however, it scored a 5 star rating from the span of August 2011 to April 2019. The Accent also has a GNCAP rating of 4 stars.

Value for Money

Filipinos are practical consumers, and usually, what attracts them the most is a car’s ability to provide and deliver. This is mainly built for everyday use; thus, those who wish to purchase this vehicle prioritizes the economic aspect of its capabilities. Considering that the Accent renders remarkable fuel economy and performance, not to mention easy to access service centers, purchasing this vehicle will not be a financial burden in the long run. The Hyundai Accent has a price range of PHP 790,000 to PHP 1.038 Million. The vehicle's fuel-efficient engine is one of the reasons why so many people like it. Either of the two engines can power the sedan indicated previously, and both are said to provide excellent fuel efficiency. This makes it excellent for both commercial and personal use.

Final Words

With a lot of options to pick from and an attractive price range, this subcompact sedan is a perfect choice for those wanting an economical vehicle to haul a small family or for the daily commute. Although it may not have the most advanced features, it is nevertheless a reliable vehicle with excellent fuel efficiency and performance. Given that the Accent has a vast array of variants, you can choose one tailored to your liking. This sedan is more versatile than ever before, thanks to the options available, allowing it to meet the different needs of Filipino vehicle consumers. Tall passengers in the back seat may feel a little cramped because, while the inside is spacious, there isn't much headroom. However, even if you're taller than the average Filipino, the Accent still has more headroom than you'll ever need.