2016 Hyundai Accent - Review

The Hyundai Accent is a subcompact available as a five-door hatchback or four-door sedan. Launched as a 2012 model, the Accent has not changed much for the past couple of years. It carries over essentially unchanged for the 2016 model year, though the model nomenclature is revised.

The Accent is a good choice among subcompacts, although its crash-test scores are cause for concern. Its strengths are value and interior space. Its handling and performance don't vary much from that of the bigger subcompacts, but the Accent feels a bit more mature than the Fiat 500 or Ford Fiesta. Other competitors include the Chevrolet Sonic, the Honda Fit, the Nissan Versa, and the mechanically similar Kia Rio.

Designed for the 2012 model year and revised for 2015, the Accent still looks good. Its design is based on the Fluidic Sculpture design language, giving it an elegant look. Interior quality is good with the expected exception of the trim bits down low and, with optional features,

We think the the five-door hatchback is the more attractive of the two body styles; the four-door sedan is less attractive. The five-door nails the design, mixing the usual hatchback profile with the cues and details that have come to define Hyundai's first modern design language. Inside, the layout is clean and simple, with streamlined controls and low-gloss plastics.

The Accent accelerates, steers, and handles in an adequate, predictable way. Acceleration performance is lackluster with the automatic. However, its direct-injection 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is very fuel-efficient, and it mates well with the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic that includes a Sport mode and manual control. The manual gearbox, which has a light clutch, is also a good choice, allowing better acceleration performance, better economy and more enjoyable driving.

The Accent is EPA-rated at 26 mpg city and 37 highway for the automatic, 27/38 mpg for those equipped with the manual.

While the Honda Fit might put up better interior-room numbers, the Hyundai has a very comfortable, spacious interior for passengers, one of the best in its class. Even tall passengers will be able to get in and out easily and have enough headroom and legroom in the front seats. Back-seat space is also respectable for a car this size, and there's plenty of room for smaller items, with bins and trays for phones, bottles, and coins. With the seatbacks up, you get a little more cargo room in the Accent sedan, although you lose some of the hatch's versatility and superior style.

Even compared to other small cars of its kind, the Accent does not rate very well with the NHTSA or the IIHS. It scores four stars with the federal government, although there are extra notes about the performance in side crashes. In IIHS testing, the Accent receives a score of Poor on the agency's new small frontal overlap test.

The Accent comes with a high level of standard equipment, but don't look for leather, navigation or even a sunroof on the options list. The 2016 Hyundai Accent comes in two trim levels: the standard Accent SE available in hatchback and sedan versions and the Accent Sport, which comes only as a hatch. All have power features and air conditioning, while some versions  get a tilt/telescoping wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth, and satellite radio.

This year the changes to the Accent are relatively minimal, with an updated-and-improved base audio system, a new one-touch turn signal, sliding sun visors, and a driver's blind-spot mirror.

For complete build, price, specs information and photos please visit:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/hyundai_accent_2016

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