2018 Hyundai Accent Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The all-new 2018 Hyundai Accent is proof that small, affordable cars can be great.
With a starting price below $15,000, the all-new 2018 Hyundai Accent is one of the most affordable cars on the market. But despite its low cost, Hyundai loaded the Accent with stylish design, desirable options, and a 10-year powertrain warranty.
Yes, similarly priced used cars can also be a great value, and buyers shouldn’t overlook the class-leading Honda Fit. But if you don't want to spend a lot to buy a brand-new car with a traditional three-box sedan design, the Accent is your best bet.
Unlike the gawky Mitsubishi Mirage G4 and Nissan Versa sedans, the Hyundai Accent doesn’t look like a small car.
That’s largely thanks to its rear three-quarter view: The C-pillar that holds the roof up slopes in the opposite direction of the Accent’s chrome trim, which creates an optical illusion that makes the car look larger than it is. Its 17-inch alloy wheels don’t hurt, either.
Of course, those wheels and that trim are available only on the $18,895 Accent Limited. The $17,295 SEL drops the chrome trim and 17-inch alloys, and the entry-level SE comes with steel wheels.
No matter which trim level you choose, however, you’ll get an interior that’s simple and straightforward—and free of distractions. Buttons are big and labeled in plain English, and gauges are all easy to see. In a cloud of complicated dashboards, the Accent is a breath of fresh air.
The Accent’s sole engine choice is a 130-hp, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. Despite it being a carryover from 2017, its horsepower rating actually dropped a bit. Hyundai claims that’s because the engine was retuned for better efficiency and more power at city speeds.
Indeed, I found the front-wheel drive (FWD) Accent pleasant in around-town driving. It’s easy to park, and it has a decent amount of power when accelerating from a stop or low speeds.
Most drivers will appreciate how well the Accent’s suspension splits the difference between sporty and cushy. However, the optional 6-speed automatic transmission (only the base SE comes standard with a stick) was a little slow to respond to inputs, and the Accent's steering feel was too relaxed for my taste.
On the highway, I was impressed by how well Hyundai eliminated noise and vibration. The seats were comfy, and I’d have no problem taking the little Accent on a long road trip. I got about 29 mpg in combined city and highway driving, which is only a little less than the Accent’s EPA rating of 32 mpg.
Hyundai dropped the Accent hatchback for 2018. Mitsubishi, Nissan, Chevy, and Ford still sell basic affordable 5-doors, but so does Kia, whose all-new Rio hatch shares a lot of DNA with the Hyundai.
But if you prefer the look of a sedan, the Accent is a practical choice. It comes with 90 cubic feet of passenger space, which is more than the Yaris iA and Ford Fiesta offer. It’s even classified as a compact car by the EPA.
This 5'11" reviewer appreciated the leg- and headroom up front, although rear passengers might complain on longer trips.
Bluetooth and a reversing camera are standard on every Accent. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which put your phone’s navigation and music apps on the Accent’s touchscreen, are available only on the SEL and Limited trims.
Automatic headlights, a telescoping steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and rear disc brakes are all standard on the SEL. The Limited adds a power sunroof, a proximity key with push-button start, heated seats, and automatic climate control.
None of the options are available a la carte—you have to take them all as part of a package that goes with the trim level.
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has crash-tested the new Accent. The only available active safety feature is automatic emergency braking—and that's available only if you pay for the Limited.
By comparison, the Honda Fit offers optional lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
Yes, the Accent is a great small car. But don’t forget: There are tons of used crossovers, sedans, hybrids, and minivans that sell for amounts in the neighborhood of the Accent’s starting price of around $15,000.
Many of them offer more space, better fuel economy, or all-wheel drive—but none of them have Hyundai’s 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
And when it comes to new cars, nothing beats the Honda Fit. It offers more optional features than the Accent, gets better gas mileage, and has a massive interior that belies its small footprint.
But if you’re in the market for a small, affordable sedan and want a new-car warranty, the 2018 Hyundai Accent should be on your shopping list.
User reviews for 2018 Hyundai Accent
Write a review2018 Hyundai Accent Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4 · 172 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Door trim: cloth · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: urethane · Steering wheel trim: urethane
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.07
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
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 · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.9 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 172 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door trim: cloth · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: urethane · Steering wheel trim: urethane
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.07
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
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 · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.9 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 172 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door trim: cloth · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.07
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Blue Link · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 3.5 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: anti-trapping feature
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.9 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: MyHyundai with Blue Link · Smart device app function: vehicle location
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
