2021 Hyundai Accent Review

Name: 2021 Hyundai Accent Review
Brand: Hyundai
Price: 12431 USD

Hyundai Accent Limited Sedan Exterior Shown

+246

A compact sedan low on power shouldn't be this fun, but the Hyundai Accent feels sporty thanks to a responsive engine, transmission and suspension. A roomy cabin helps atone for some of the Accent's notable deficiencies, including shapeless front seats and weak infotainment features. Overall, the Accent is easy to use, gets great mileage and is refreshingly simple.

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2021 Hyundai Accent Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Comfortable ride and impressively quiet cabin
Spacious interior with solid, rattle-free build quality
Long warranty coverage
Excellent real-world fuel economy

Cons

Lacks onboard navigation but connects to smartphone nav apps
Cloth seats are uncomfortable and trap heat
USB port struggles to charge a phone
Enhanced safety aids only available on top trim level

What's new

The Accent is essentially unchanged for 2021
Part of the fifth Accent generation introduced for 2018

Overview

The 2021 Hyundai Accent is one of just a few remaining extra-small cars on sale today. Most automakers are abandoning the market to focus on building small crossover SUVs. Yet Hyundai remains committed to building small, affordable and feature-rich sedans.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Hyundai Accent SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$131/mo

$179/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

The Accent was fully redesigned in 2018 and carries on into the 2021 model year with no significant updates. That's not a bad thing since the Accent offers excellent fuel economy, a good mix of features, and a spacious and comfortable interior. It might not be the fastest car on the market, but its performance is about average for this class.

Though competitors are dwindling, the Accent does have a few rivals. The Toyota Yaris is both its strongest competitor and our top-ranked extra-small sedan. We also like the redesigned Nissan Versa, which combines a surprisingly premium-feeling cabin with a good number of safety features and decent passenger space. There's also the Kia Rio, a car that shares just about everything with the Accent beneath the sheet metal, though we think the Rio is somewhat sportier to drive.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.0/10

How does the Accent drive? Economy cars such as the Accent aren't known for performance, but the Accent will surprise you with its nimble nature. Despite vague steering, this Hyundai is agile and stable when going around turns. It also remains stable even when cornering on bumpy surfaces, which isn't always the case with this class of car.

But you'll need to plan ahead for passing and merging since the engine feels weak at high rpm. The Accent went 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds in our testing, which is average for an economy compact.

Comfort

7.0/10

How comfortable is the Accent? The Accent doesn't offer much beyond basic comfort. Its cloth front seats are pretty flat, with almost no bolstering and support. They also absorb heat, making long trips on hot days a challenge.

We're more impressed with the Accent's suspension tuning. While the car's body can bob around a bit on undulating road surfaces, it rarely feels out of sorts. The suspension also does a good job absorbing the jolts from sharp-edged bumps such as potholes or uneven pavement. The Accent is also pleasantly quiet at idle. And once out on the road, it only allows in a modest amount of road and tire noise.

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? Like most small cars, the Accent prioritizes cabin size over comfort. The dash slopes forward to create a roomy feel, and front headroom is excellent. The driving position is OK, but some taller drivers might wish the Accent had a telescoping steering column.

The wide front and rear door openings make for easy access in and out of the car, but the sloping roofline will force taller passengers to duck on the way in. That sleek styling also compromises rear headroom. As for visibility, you'll find it easy to see out of the front thanks to a low hood and dashboard. There's also a decent view out of the back since the trunk isn't too high.

Technology

6.0/10

How’s the tech? We expect limited technology features on a budget model, but the Accent takes minimalist tech to an extreme. Aside from unimpressive sound quality from the SE trim's stock audio system, the USB outlet doesn't provide enough current to charge today's crop of smartphones while they're tasked with playing music or navigating.

The SE's radio is strictly AM/FM, though it can play music from external devices using USB, Bluetooth and the auxiliary jack. Listening via Bluetooth while charging with the cigarette lighter worked best. Bluetooth pairing is fairly easy if slow.

Storage

7.0/10

How’s the storage? The Accent's trunk offers decent utility. On paper, its 13.7 cubic feet of space is only average, but the trunk opening is large and the load height is low. Actual real-world utility is solid. The Accent also has 60/40-split folding seatbacks. They don't fold flat, however, which defeats some of the trunk's utility. Cabin storage is fairly agreeable but nothing special.

Installing car seats is relatively easy, with three easily accessed top tethers and four car seat anchors in the seat cushions. Bulky rear-facing seats will likely require scooting the front seats forward because of the limited rear legroom.

Fuel Economy

9.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the Accent with the automatic transmission at 36 mpg in combined city/highway driving, or 33 mpg with the manual, which means it's one of the more efficient cars out there. Pleasingly, our real-world testing backed up these numbers.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Accent a good value? The Accent is about as bare-bones as it gets, but it's also very affordable and gets great mileage. It's also built surprisingly well. We heard nary a squeak nor rattle in our testing, and in overall fit and finish, it rivals cars many times pricier. Hyundai's bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties are strong and last longer than most other automakers' coverage.

Wildcard

7.0/10

The Accent competes in a fairly pedestrian and budget-oriented class, but it's actually a pretty engaging small car thanks to lively handling and responsive engine. It truly makes routine driving a pleasure, not a chore, and you don't mind sliding in those cloth seats and turning the key. More power would be welcome, but we like the Accent's fuel efficiency as it is.

Which Accent does Edmunds recommend?

The base SE model is one of the most affordable new cars on sale today. But we think you'll be happier if you step up to the midgrade SEL trim. With it you get the near essential Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration plus alloy wheels and a six-speaker audio system.

2021 Hyundai Accent models

The 2021 Hyundai Accent is available in three trim levels: SE, SEL and Limited. All three are powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four (120 hp, 113 lb-ft). The base SE is available with a six-speed manual transmission. A continuously variable automatic transmission is available on the SE and standard on the SEL.

SE
Standard features include:

USB and Bluetooth smartphone connections
Four-speaker audio system
Cruise control
Power windows
Power door locks with keyless entry
5-inch central display screen

SEL
Stepping up to the SEL, you get all the SE features plus:

Alloy wheels
Six-speaker audio system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Automatic headlights
Foglights
Two USB ports
Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

Limited
Besides all of the SEL's features, the Limited trim includes:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Sunroof
LED headlights
17-inch alloy wheels
Heated front seats
Push-button ignition
Automatic climate control
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#11 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Hyundai Accent from 2008-2022.}

$362/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.07x/yr

vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

8.9%

vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Hyundai Accent.

5 (58%)

4 (20%)

3 (8%)

2 (6%)

1 (8%)

4.1

36 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 36 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

My second Accent.

sydneysteelerfan, 01/07/2020

2020 Hyundai Accent SEL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

This is my second accent. A lot of leg room. I'm 6 ft tall. Great gas mileage. Recommend.

Amazingly good for a small, low priced car

Don, 05/26/2021

2021 Hyundai Accent SEL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

I drove one of these as a rental car 3000 miles last month, so most of the driving was highway. I was very impressed. Plenty comfortable, quiet, plenty powerful enough to hop on to freeways, and I was able to pack a LOT of my possessions into the trunk -- it's big. Nice looking on the outside, nice looking interior and very nicely designed controls. Averaged around 42mpg on the trip …

Fun and Stylish Ride Packed with Option Goodness!

Mojo-Ridin', 05/26/2019

2019 Hyundai Accent Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A)

Great headroom for a small car and well-thought-out ergonomics regarding the set-up of many option controls. I loved the 2019 model so much that I bought the 2020, as well. Pretty much the exact same vehicle except for the wireless phone charging pad and Pomegranate Red Metallic! Very pretty!

Great CAR!

Harley, 10/15/2019

2019 Hyundai Accent SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A)

The outside noise isn't terrible, just remember it is a tinier car so some noise is expected, with the radio on its not even noticeable! Great Gas Mileage

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Hyundai Accent, so we've included reviews for other years of the Accent since its last redesign.

See all 36 reviews of the Hyundai Accent

Write a vehicle review

2021 Accent Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$15,395
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	33 MPG
Cost to Drive	$131/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Accent models:

Forward Collision Warning: Available only on Accent Limited, forward collision warning alerts you to an impending collision and brakes automatically if necessary.
Four-Wheel Disc Brakes: Offer stronger stopping power than the base model's rear drum brakes. Standard on SE and Limited trims.
Blue Link: Connects you to your car for emergency collision notification, maintenance reminders and smartphone app features such as remote start.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat4 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover11.3%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Hyundai Accent Review

2021 Hyundai Accent Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Hyundai Accent SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Accent does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Hyundai Accent models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

My second Accent.

Amazingly good for a small, low priced car

Fun and Stylish Ride Packed with Option Goodness!

Great CAR!

2021 Accent Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Hyundai Accent SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}