2020 Hyundai Accent

It is offered in three trims which will cater to everyone’s liking. The returned engine is standard across all trims which gives the car questionable power with improved fuel efficiency. The lightweight body makes it a fun to drive car. 

“Accent” is the definition of a barebone sedan which is one of the most affordable vehicles in the segment. This property is also what makes the Accent quirky, as Hyundai has managed to deliver an updated and roadworthy car with a very basic palette. As most of the automakers have their hands in the compact segment category, let’s see how Hyundai pitches it’s $15195 Accent against its rivals.

The Accent is available in three trims for 2020. The base SE trim is available in both manual and CVT transmission with a 1.6L inline 4 engine. The higher trims are devoid of manual gearbox as the CVT replaces it for better fuel economy. The engine remains stagnant across the lineup. 

For $15195, the base SE variant is well stuffed with interior and safety features. But by shelling out a few extra bucks you get a well equipped LIMITED trim. Advanced safety features like Forward collision avoidance assistance and LED DRLs are present on the LIMITED trim. On the outside, it flaunts 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels which gives it a distinctive look from the others.

Trims	SE	SEL	LIMITED
MSRP (Manual) (FWD)	$15,295	--	--
MSRP (CVT) (FWD)	$16,395	$17,650	$19,400
Key Features	60/40 Split fold-down seats	All the features in SE added/ replaced and:	All the features in SEL added/replaced and:
	Bluetooth handsfree phone system	16-inch alloy wheels	17-inch alloy wheels
	5-inch Infotainment System	Driver’s blind spot mirror	Power Sunroof
	4-speaker unit	7-inch Infotainment System	LED Daytime Running Lights
	Rearview camera	6-speaker unit	Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
	Vehicle Stability Management(VSM)	Apple CarPlay and Android Auto	Dual USB Charging
	6-Way adjustable driver's seat	Automatic Headlights
	Rear window defroster	Heated exterior mirrors
	Cruise Control
	Remote keyless entry system with panic alert
	Tire Pressure Monitoring System

An additional cargo package is available as an add-on for $185. This includes a cargo block, reversible cargo tray, and cargo net. It helps you to segregate the cargo.

Which trim should you opt for?

The SEL trim is our choice of the lot as it comes with the much-needed upgrades which differentiate it from the dull base variant. Upgrades include alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, automatic headlights and smartphone integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. All these features for a premium of $1300 is worth the upgrade for an all-rounded sedan.

But if you are the guy who loves manual gearboxes over anything else, then the base SE trim is your only salvation.

The updated 1.6L engine is high on efficiency as Hyundai has worked to make it mechanically more efficient. The power has decreased by 10 horses which doesn’t necessarily translate to inferior performance. The Accent reminds us that it is better to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast one slow! 

What's under the hood of the humble Hyundai?

The reworked 1.6L inline four-pot in the Accent makes a modest 120 horses and 113 pound-feet of torque and powers the front wheels via a 6- speed manual or an in-housed developed VT gearbox. The power is down by 10 horses which is the byproduct for better efficiency. The new engine has not been extensively tested but performance characteristics will more or less remain the same. 

CVT gearboxes are known to extract the best possible efficiency from any engine and so we can expect the Accent to run longer. But let’s face it, the fun of a manual gearbox will be gravely missed. The CVT gearbox used in the Accent is a chain belt driven instead of the common push belt type found in most CVTs. Hyundai claims to be the first one to use it in the compact car segment.

Models	Hyundai Accent SE	Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES	Toyota Yaris Sedan L	Nissan Versa 1.6 S
MSRP	$16,395	$14,995	$15,650	$14,730
Engine	1.6L I4	1.2L I3	1.5L I4	1.6L I4
Transmission	2-Speed CVT with overdrive	2-speed CVT with overdrive	6-Speed Automatic with overdrive	2-speed CVT with overdrive
Horsepower	120 hp @6300 rpm	78 hp  @4000 rpm	106 hp @6000 rpm	122 hp @6300 rpm
Torque	113 lb-ft @4500 rpm	74 lb-ft @4000 rpm	103 lb-ft @4000 rpm	114 lb-ft @4000 rpm

Nissan Versa and Hyundai Accent have the largest engine of the lot with 1.6L of displacement. The size also helps it produce the most power as well. Versa is the most powerful of the lot with 122 horses and 114 pound-feet of torque marginally overtaking the Accent. Mitsubishi Mirage comes in at last with 78 horses and 74 pound-feet of torque.

How well does it pull off the line?

The acceleration suffers a lot because of the CVT. As Hyundai has focused on efficiency, acceleration has taken a back seat here. But with a light body of 2500 pounds, it manages to stay in the run with its rivals. When pushed hard, you can hear the engine screaming and not in a good way.

Models	Hyundai Accent SE	Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES	Toyota Yaris Sedan L	Nissan Versa 1.6 S
0-60 MPH	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Quarter mile	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr)	5.3(est.)	4.8(est.)	5.1(est.)	5.1(est.)

All the vehicles in this category are not keen on quarter-mile times. Moderate performance and smooth transition across the gears are its strong points.

Ride and Handling

The handling is at most moderate in the Accent. Hyundai has given more emphasis on comfort rather than handling. The car still feels intuitive because of the small size and light body. It becomes easy to be tossed into corners and doesn't hesitate when pushed. 

The suspension can take minor beatings but harsh ones penetrate the cabin as vibrations. 

How well does the Accent stop?

Braking is good on a car of this size. It brings the vehicle to a stop in a linear manner which keeps the body stable. It has the largest brake disc and drums of the lot.

Models	Hyundai Accent SE	Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES	Toyota Yaris Sedan L	Nissan Versa 1.6 S
Brake Front (in.)	11(disc)	10(disc)	N/A	10(disc)
Brake Rear (in.)	N/A	8(drum)	9(drum)	8(drum)
60-0 MPH (ft)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

All the vehicles in this segment are light and don’t require much stopping power to come to a halt. Similarly, sized brakes take care of stopping them in time.

2020 Hyundai Accent is much more fuel-efficient than last year. The credit goes to the reworked engine and a CVT gearbox. The heat management and injection system improvements in the engine has helped in lower energy lost as heat. The fuel-conscious CVT gearbox helps improve the overall fuel economy for the Accent. 

 According to EPA, the manual trim gives a combined 33 MPG whereas the CVT model gives a superior 36 MPG. The increment of 4MPG makes a significant difference. This gives Accent the edge over its rivals and makes it the one to beat. This feat easily masks the loss of 10 horses.

Models	Hyundai Accent SE	Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES	Toyota Yaris Sedan L	Nissan Versa 1.6 S
MPG (city)	33	35	32	32
MPG (highway)	41	41	40	38
MPG (combined)	36	35	34	30

Nissan Versa is the least fuel-efficient with a combined economy of 30 MPG. Toyota Yaris and Mitsubishi Mirage cling to each other with 34MPG and 35 MPG respectively.

The interior of the Hyundai Accent can be defined as simple, plain and functional. It is bare bone and doesn’t induce excitement like its rivals. It has hard plastics and cloth upholstery. But if you take all of this and keep the retail price in mind, it is as inexpensive as it gets.

How comfortable is it on the inside?

Four adults can comfortably sit in the Accent. The headroom is sufficient for both front and rear passengers thanks to the bubble-shape roofline. The height-adjustable front seats also make the sedan comfortable for drivers with a height of 6 feet and. This makes it a very spacious compact sedan, dare we say the best in this class.

Models	Hyundai Accent SE	Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES	Toyota Yaris Sedan L	Nissan Versa 1.6 S
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.9/54.2/42.1	38.9/51.7/41.7	38.2/53.1/41.9	39.5/53.1/44.5
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.3/53.7/33.5	36.8/51.2/37.3	36.8/50.0/34.4	36.3/53.6/31.0

The Accent has the most spacious cabin of the lot. The Versa comes in second courtesy of its larger dimensions. Toyota Yaris is the most cramped of the lot. 

What are the infotainment features present?

The infotainment system is basic in the Accent with a 4-inch touch screen coupled with four speakers. The base trim is devoid of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay and if it’s important then the higher trims would be a perfect fit.

Infotainment Features

• 5-Inch Infotainment System
• Bluetooth handsfree phone system
• AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system
• 4 speaker set
• Smartphone/USB and MP3 auxiliary input jacks

How much cargo can it take?

Cargo space in the Accent is impressive with 13.7 cubic feet. To give you a perspective, this truck is larger than that of a Mercedes Benz E-class coupe. And by folding the rear seats down, 6-foot long cargo can go in with ease.

Models	Hyundai Accent SE	Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES	Toyota Yaris Sedan L	Nissan Versa 1.6 S
Cargo Volume (cu.-ft)	13.7	12.6	13.5	14.7

Nissan Versa has the highest cargo volume of the lot with 14.7 cubic feet. The Mirage ends the list with just 12.6 cubic feet.

Interior Features

• Cloth upholstery
• 6-way adjustable driver seat
• Driver seat height adjustment
• 60/40 split-fold rear seats
• Rear window defroster
• Air conditioning
• Steering wheel mounted audio controls

Hyundai Accent is a subtle car with no flashy bits. It carries forward Hyundai’s design philosophy in styling cues. The vehicle has been transformed meticulously over the past decade. This is seen when compared to a 2009 model. No other automaker would go the part to keep a basic sedan alive over the years with updates to refresh it.

How handsome is Hyundai Accent on the outside?

The Accent for 2020 makes its presence known with a curved trapezoidal grille with subtle horizontal chrome inserts. The base trim is not as attractive as the higher ones which gets LED headlights, eye-catchy alloy wheels and quirky tail lights which improves presence.

It is a long vehicle with 172.6 inches in length. Hyundai has gone for a longer wheelbase of 101.6 inches to utilize more interior space. It is a short car which helps in making it a fun to drive car. 

Models	Hyundai Accent SE	Mitsubishi Mirage G4 ES	Toyota Yaris Sedan L	Nissan Versa 1.6 S
Length (in)	172.6	169.5	171.2	177.0
Width (in)	68.1	65.7	66.7	68.5
Height (in)	57.1	59.2	58.5	57.3
Ground clearance (in)	5.5	6.3	N/A	6.8
Wheelbase (in)	101.6	100.4	101.2	103.1
Track width (in) F/R	59.3/59.5	56.9/56.3	58.9/58.5	59.8/60.2
Curb weight (lbs)	2502	2117	2385	2599

Nissan Versa is the longest of the lot which also translates to better interior space. But this length reminds us to be careful in tight spots. It is also the heaviest car of the lot. Mirage is the shortest of the lot thus giving it an edge in handling.

Exterior Features

• Body-Colored power-adjustable exterior mirrors
• Chrome Grille
• 15-inch steel wheels

As Hyundai hasn’t changed the Accent much from last year, we can expect similar safety features and test releases this year as well. The feature list is not eye-popping but is impressive for a car this size with all the life-saving gizmos already preinstalled. The front and rear crumple zones make sure that you stay safe even in the worst scenario. But for a better list, you will have to move up to higher trims which have forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking as standard.

Safety Features

• Vehicle Stability Management(VSM)
• Electronic Stability Control(ESC)
• Traction Control System(TCS)
• Electronic Brake Force Distribution(EBD)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System(TPMS)
• Front Seatbelt Pretensioners
• Front and rear crumple zones
• Remote keyless entry with alarm

Mitsubishi Mirage

The Mirage is the least energetic car off the lot. With poor performance and a cramped up interior, it doesn’t stand a chance against the much better Hyundai Accent. The smallest engine of the lot makes the least power. We would keep the Mirage at the bottom of the list just in case.

Toyota Yaris

The Yaris is cheaper than the Hyundai Accent and has a smaller engine. This makes it fun to drive with better handling, braking, and acceleration when compared to Accent. It also provides much more safety features even at the base trim. It is deficient in interior space and comfort which makes seating very uncomfortable. Apart from that, the Yaris is the better choice. If driving dynamics are your first preference then the baby Toyota is for you. But if comfort is more important then, the Accent is the better one.

 

Nissan Versa

The Versa is cheaper and much more powerful than the Accent. It provides a much more interesting feature list which Hyundai can’t match. It is much more spacious and comfortable and has more cargo space. In spite of the added power, the fuel economy is just marginally less. The Versa outright slaughtered the Accent in all aspects and we would happily choose it over the Hyundai anyday. 

 

The Accent in its 2020 avatar is a new car altogether. It will take on the daily grind with ease while being the least agitated. The ride and handling are commendable and power is generous. It is a perfect little package. But it’s competition has caught up over time. 

The Nissan Versa is more powerful, cheaper and has a more up-class and comfortable cabin. It has more cabin space as well for the short weekend hauls. Hondas are dead cheap to maintain and much more reliable. We would invest and take the Honda over the Hyundai for the much better package it provides.