2018 Hyundai Accent gets rework — is reborn
TFor the Sun- Times he 2018 Accent is a sedan that has undergone a complete rebirth. The long- time entry- level economy car for Hyundai, the Accent has been selling loads of units for more than 20 years.
Since 1994, the Accent has been a reliable car, but it was rarely referred to as one offering exterior distinction or interior comfort — as an economy- class car, it was what it was — and that has been plenty for more than 1.2 million owners.
In 2018, the Accent has been reborn with a dramatic exterior design, a high- tech interior with reduced cabin noise, a more efficient powertrain, and highly improved driving dynamics. Add all of that to some of the best safety ratings and convenience features and you have another long- term winner for Hyundai.
Increased Capacity
The new Accent grows to 168 inches long and offers 90 cubic feet of space for passengers and a 14cubic- foot trunk. Presenting as a 2,502- lb. compact sedan, there’s far more heft – though it remains the stable’s entry- level car.
The Accent’s larger size not only delivers a more substantial and stylish image, it can compete with the best- seller in the entry- level class, the compact Nissan Versa, which also is marketed as a subcompact.
Trim Levels
The Accent features impressive safety equipment and even items that you don’t expect to find on a car in its category. The Accent comes in three trim levels with two transmissions and one engine: a 130- horsepower, 1.6- liter four- cylinder with gasoline direct- injection that delivers 119 lb.- ft. of torque. On the base SE model, customers can order a six- speed manual gearbox or a six- speed automatic transmission. The automatic is standard on the SEL and Limited versions.
Impressive Standards
The $ 15,880 SE is well equipped with safety equipment plus a rear- view camera and tire- pressure monitoring. Look for standard hill- start assist, which keeps the Accent from rolling backward starting off on a hill.
Other SE equipment includes air conditioning, remote keyless entry, a temporary spare tire, steering- wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, and a tilt ( though not telescoping) steering wheel. Accent SEL and Limited models get the telescoping function.
Limited Upgrade
The Limited also gets such desirable features as blind- spot warning, forward collision avoidance, motorized glass sunroof, fog lights, SXM satellite radio, automatic climate controls and headlights, leather- wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, pushbutton starting and- a whopper in this class of car- a “smart trunk” that opens with a wave of the foot.
Road Manners
On the road, regardless of the trim, the new Accent is a model of silent running, so quiet that muffled wind, road and mechanical sounds rival that of some sixfigure luxury cars.
The Accent feels crisp from a dead start and easily maneuvers in and around town with fine adjustments getting into and out of highway- speed traffic.
The suspension system is a definite bonus that plays well with Accent’s quality seats to provide a nice ride on long- term trips. Overall, with the Hyundai awardwinning warranty and low starting price, Accent is a value by anyone’s book.