The Hyundai Accent, long considered a reliable and affordable if less-than-exciting subcompact, takes a major step forward for the 2012 model year. The South Korean manufacturer sends the 2012 Hyundai Accent out with an improved engine with more power and impressive mileage, all wrapped up in a more attractive package. To top it all off, Hyundai manages to keep the Accent’s pricetag – the base trim starts at just over $13,000 -- appealing as it puts pressure on competitors such as the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Mazda2.
The 2012 Hyundai Accent’s major overhaul, inside and out, has drawn raves from most reviewers, who seem to go along with the promotional material for the car that states, “Easy to Own. Easy on the Eyes.” The easy on the eyes part stems from the fact that the Accent’s revamped look has it borrowing some design lines from its classy bigger siblings, the Elantra and Sonata.
The 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine in the 2012 Hyundai Accent has direct fuel injection, which is unusual for this class, and gets a power boost to 138 horsepower with 123 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers are up from 110 hp and 106 lb-ft of torque in 2011. EPA fuel estimates come in at 30 mpg city/40 highway.
The 2012 Hyundai Accent comes in a base four-door GLS sedan and two four-door hatchback trims, the GS and SE. All trims come with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard fare, and a 6-speed automatic is optional. The manual GLS is quite basic and does not come standard with power windows, air conditioning or cruise control. These features are available as options with the manual, though, and are standard with the automatic.
Moving to the upper trims adds those features and others. The sporty SE hatchback, the top trim, gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob as well as Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control. Bluetooth is an option for the automatic GLS, too. The 2012 Hyundai Accent does have its limitations. For instance, neither leather seats, a sunroof nor a navigation system are available.
Experts praise the upgraded and roomier cabin of the 2012 Hyundai Accent. They feel that while the Accent still has some of the plastic materials that would be expected in this class, the quality of materials is improved overall. They find the dashboard design clean, simple and easy to use. The hatchbacks have 21.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and that number bumps to 47.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Some reviewers make note of the Accent’s nice driving position and the wide view in front. They also say the Accent handles well and is surprisingly fun to drive and plenty comfortable for longer-distance cruising.
The 2012 Hyundai Accent carries the company’s 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty that has been around for more than a decade, and the vehicle also falls under the company’s new trade-in value guarantee program. At the time of purchase, buyers receive an assessed value of what their car will be worth after 24 months to 48 months. If they choose to trade it in for another Hyundai after 24 to 48 months, the car will be given a current market value. The consumer will receive the higher trade-in value, minus mileage or damage adjustments.
The redesign of the 2012 Hyundai Accent also includes safety upgrades. The Accent gets standard stability control, which is mandatory by federal regulation for 2012, and antilock brakes. It also has a standard tire pressure monitoring system and comes with a full array of airbags.
My Hyundai accent starts misfiring when the engine is at optimum running temperature. My other issue is that once the engine is warm and I try to start the car it has a long crank at times the rev counter doesn't move yet the car is running
I had a knock sensor code turn on in my 2012 accent & then it started to just shut off & die while driving. Could the dying while driving be related to the knock sensor? Or is it something else entirely?
I got an oil change today at Hyndaiu dealer and just a few miles down the road the malfunction indicator light came on. I checked the oil cap and oil and everything looked good. Any suggestions?
Hi, I have a Hyundai Accent 2012, that I drive all summer long. I went to the garage end of August and ask to have my car check to be sure it was safe on the road since I was leaving for university. The garage bill me 1000 (He did change the brake) and changed some stuff and told me I was good to go. I drove less then 20 hours since then. But today , my car's line brake broke while I was on the road and almost ran into a tree. I brought it to the garage (towing) and the guy there said my line brake were in a really bad shape. I know a mechanician cannot look at every piece of a car. But I was wondering if it was normal that he never mention/change my line break when I said to ensure my car would be safe on the road.
I used gurus' finance calculator to base my monthly finance payments affordable to my budget, but when I actually picked a vehicle and contacted the dealership the calculated mo. payment was more than double the amount???!!! And it was not a straight finance, but a buy to lease over less months, making the monthly payments totally out of my reach. I am a senior living on a fixed income, this was really disappointing...this is not the only disappointment with Gurus vs dealerships!!!
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · IPod auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · XM satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat · Door trim: cloth · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: storage organizer · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.65
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: front and rear · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.5 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 172 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat · Door trim: cloth · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.65
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.5 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 172 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: drivers seat · Door trim: cloth · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front and rear · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: sunglasses holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.65
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.5 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: with washer