2009 Hyundai Accent Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
A commuter favorite, thanks to its solid dependability, strong gas mileage, and budget affordability, the 2009 Hyundai Accent stays afloat...
A commuter favorite, thanks to its solid dependability, strong gas mileage, and budget affordability, the 2009 Hyundai Accent stays afloat by not rocking the boat. This front-wheel-drive subcompact may be small and underpowered, like most cars of its size, but it delivers great value for the money spent and comes with Hyundai's famous 100,000-mile/10-year powertrain warranty. For 2009, the Accent adds cruise control to the options for the GLS and SE trims, an optional moonroof for the SE, and tweaks to the engine that slightly increase fuel economy to 27/33 mpg.
The 2009 Accent comes as a base GS or high-end SE hatchback and a GLS sedan. All are powered by a four-cylinder 1.6-liter engine that puts out 110 hp. Variable valve timing helps boost fuel economy. A 5-speed manual comes standard, with the option to add a 4-speed automatic. Neither powertrain offers much in the way of speed, and acceleration exhibits noisy effort when passing on the highway.
The base GS defines minimalism, with standard 14-inch wheels, intermittent wipers, 6-way manually adjustable front seats, and a rear spoiler. The radio does come with satellite radio, however. The GLS adds a CD/MP3 player and two extra cupholders, for a total of eight. The SE hatch goes full bore, with power windows, locks, and mirrors, larger 16-inch wheels, a rear window wiper, leather trim, remote entry, and foglights. Rear seats are cramped, with less than 35 inches of legroom, but the back seat split-folds 60/40, opening onto either a 12.4- or 15.9-cubic-foot trunk (sedan versus hatchback). A cargo cover comes standard on the hatch.
Though it offers bare-bones functionality and a great savings opportunity, one area where the 2009 Accent still falls short is crash test performance. It adds a few more stars this year from the NHTSA, earning five for front-side impact, but still rates only three for rear occupants - this despite having dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows. Both the GS and GLS feature front disc and rear drum brakes, with 4-wheel ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution standard only on the SE.
What owners say
Did they say this car "struggles noisily" on the freeway? Really? Everyone that has ridden in my new Accent has been surprised by how eager and quiet it is at freeway speeds. It's a four-banger economy car, and like all others, it will have more engine noise than a high-end sedan. The tested cabin noise, in decibels, is no higher than a Mazda 3 or Hyundai Elantra.....check for yourself. No one complains much about those cars. UPDATE: As I approach the three year mark, I am still very impressed with this little car. The tire-pressure indicator comes on every several months, when the pressure is low, but I've come to expect that. I add some air, and it goes right off. There are still no rattles, and no service issues of any kind. It has been the most solid and reliable car I have ever owned. This car was a good decision, and it is holding value quite well too....according to Kelley Bluebook. UPDATe: I am approaching the 5 year mark ( three months away) and I still love this little car. No rattles, no repairs. I have a stick-shift, and getting the car into reverse is tricky when the car is cold in the morning...can take me a few tries for some reason. When the car is warmed up, no problem. I may be getting another vehicle in 2014, but I doubt I will trade my Accent in, because I am too fond of it and its been very solid.
March 17, 2009This car met most of my needs and was overall a good car. Gas mileage was good, but one might expect better from a car its size. Speaking of size, it lacks much. Being a tall and slighty plump man, I needed more leg room and space from my passenger than this car allowed. The features of this car, although, were very nice even on the base model. A professional-sounding sound system with radio, CD player, and auxillary port and user-friendly controls were examples of this. The performance was dencent. The acceleration was quite responsive, yet the brakes sometimes scared me. It was decent in the corners, not very dramatic. Again, overall, a good, cheap, little car.
December 20, 2013wonderful car low operating cost and low fuel cost as it was good on fuel. If you take good care of it, it could run nearly indefinitely. we bought it before we had any children and it served us for three years until we out grew it.
December 19, 2014What owners say
Did they say this car "struggles noisily" on the freeway? Really? Everyone that has ridden in my new Accent has been surprised by how eager and quiet it is at freeway speeds. It's a four-banger economy car, and like all others, it will have more engine noise than a high-end sedan. The tested cabin noise, in decibels, is no higher than a Mazda 3 or Hyundai Elantra.....check for yourself. No one complains much about those cars. UPDATE: As I approach the three year mark, I am still very impressed with this little car. The tire-pressure indicator comes on every several months, when the pressure is low, but I've come to expect that. I add some air, and it goes right off. There are still no rattles, and no service issues of any kind. It has been the most solid and reliable car I have ever owned. This car was a good decision, and it is holding value quite well too....according to Kelley Bluebook. UPDATe: I am approaching the 5 year mark ( three months away) and I still love this little car. No rattles, no repairs. I have a stick-shift, and getting the car into reverse is tricky when the car is cold in the morning...can take me a few tries for some reason. When the car is warmed up, no problem. I may be getting another vehicle in 2014, but I doubt I will trade my Accent in, because I am too fond of it and its been very solid.
March 17, 2009This car met most of my needs and was overall a good car. Gas mileage was good, but one might expect better from a car its size. Speaking of size, it lacks much. Being a tall and slighty plump man, I needed more leg room and space from my passenger than this car allowed. The features of this car, although, were very nice even on the base model. A professional-sounding sound system with radio, CD player, and auxillary port and user-friendly controls were examples of this. The performance was dencent. The acceleration was quite responsive, yet the brakes sometimes scared me. It was decent in the corners, not very dramatic. Again, overall, a good, cheap, little car.
December 20, 2013wonderful car low operating cost and low fuel cost as it was good on fuel. If you take good care of it, it could run nearly indefinitely. we bought it before we had any children and it served us for three years until we out grew it.
December 19, 2014Why spend $30000 on a car that doesn't do everything you want? My Accent GL has all I need and then some. The cheapest car available in Canada and it has enough power to keep up with all traffic conditions and will still do almost 50 mpg! Everything about it is sound, the Koreans know their stuff. Handling is good at lower speeds but try tossing it in a corner and you really feel it trying to roll. If you wait 'till the end the car buying season, you can get a year old car with no mileage but for a great deal and a new car warranty. No cold weather has beaten the battery yet, but we're still early into the season.
October 21, 2009Trims & specs
Base MSRP $12,920 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.6L 110 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 12.4 cu ft |
Combined MPG 30 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $9,970 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.6L 110 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 30 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $15,070 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.6L 110 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 30 | Drivetrain FWD |
