Hyundai Accent is more than your average subcompact

The 2018 Hyundai Accent could be described as a charlatan because it pretends to be something it is not.

For more than two decades, the Accent has been the South Korean manufacturer’s entry-level economy car, providing dependable, low-cost transportation to customers worldwide. About 1.2 million have been sold in the U.S. since its introduction in 1994.

It has been marketed as a subcompact against such competitors as the Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Spark, Kia Rio and the defunct Mazda2, which now is sold by Toyota as the iA.

Though it still masquerades in that class, the 2018 Accent has grown. It is 14 feet 5 inches long with 90 cubic feet of space inside for passengers and a trunk that can hold 14 cubic feet of stuff. With that and a curb weight of 2,679 pounds, the Accent qualifies as a step-up compact sedan, though it remains as Hyundai’s entry-level model.

And yes, it is a four-door sedan only. In a move that will disappoint lovers of economical small hatchbacks, the Accent no longer is available with a hatch. As a captive of U.S. buyer preferences, Accent sedans have been outselling the hatchbacks three to one, so the company decided to focus on the more popular model.

That places it in an interesting tussle with its sibling company, Kia, which also has an all-new car in the entry-level category. But the 2018 Kia Rio continues to be sold as both a four-door hatchback and a sedan.

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. However, Nissan also sells the Versa Note, which is a hatchback.

An important selling point for a small car like the Accent is that it is modern, with up-to-date safety and convenience features. Hyundai planners are aware that about 50 million people buy used cars in the U.S. every year, and have noted that one-third of Accent buyers trade in cars that they bought used.

Seeking to entice more used-car owners, the Accent features full-blown safety equipment and even items that you don’t expect to find on a car in its category. However, leather seating is not available, though the cloth upholstery is handsome and comfortable.

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 pound-feet 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.

As is customary with South Korea’s Hyundai and Kia brands, the $15,880 SE is uncommonly well equipped with fundamental safety equipment plus a rear-view camera and tire-pressure monitoring. Also standard is 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.

SEL and Limited models get the telescoping function. 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, push-button starting and — a whopper in this class of car — a “smart trunk” that opens with a wave of the foot.

A few minuses include unprotected C-hinges in the trunk that could damage the contents and an uncomfortable center-rear seat without a headrest.

Driven for this review were the base SE with the manual gearbox and the top-line Limited. Either satisfies, though it’s too bad the stick shift is not available across the lineup. It is as slick as any manual on the market, with easy clutch action that makes shifting enjoyable even in traffic.

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 six-figure luxury cars.

Though the acceleration is anything but neck-snapping, the Accent feels lively off the line and never challenged in urban or freeway driving. The suspension system soaks up all but the worst road imperfections and the ride — with decent seat comfort — is not tiring over long distances.

All in all, exemplary affordable wheels for the masses.

Specifications

Model: 2018 Hyundai Accent Limited four-door sedan

Engine: 1.6-liter four-cylinder, gasoline direct injection; 130 hp, 119 lb-ft torque

Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manual-shift mode and front-wheel drive

Overall length: 14 feet 5 inches

EPA passenger/trunk volume: 90/14 cubic feet

Weight: 2,679 pounds

EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 28/38/32 mpg.

Base price, including destination charge: $19,780

Price as tested: $19,780