2020 Hyundai Accent
2020 Hyundai Accent Review
- Comfortable ride and impressively quiet cabin
- Spacious interior with solid, rattle-free build quality
- Long warranty coverage provides peace of mind
- Excellent real-world fuel economy
- 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
- Improved fuel economy from a new, less powerful four-cylinder engine
- Continuously variable automatic transmission replaces traditional automatic
- Part of the fifth Accent generation introduced for 2018
Finding a roomy, safe and exceptionally fuel-efficient small sedan just got easier with the 2020 Hyundai Accent. Freshly overhauled two years ago, the Accent delivers comfort and value at a price that would make a car shopper smile. Its econo-car styling actually hides a car that drives sportier than it looks, thanks to a responsive engine and well-calibrated suspension.
We're not talking autobahn-ready performance here, but the Accent is surprisingly nimble, and it makes for a sensible and stylish subcompact choice.
There's a fuel-efficient twist for 2020, with a new four-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic transmission combination rated to return 36 mpg combined. Based on our testing, that's not only a realistic number but also perhaps a bit conservative. After hundreds of miles, we found our test car exceeded its EPA ratings by several mpg.
The downside? This new engine makes even less power than its anemic predecessor. That engine at least offered quick pedal response and an available manual transmission that somewhat offset its weak power. With just 120 horsepower, this new engine isn't likely to be much more inspiring. That said, it's also still available with a six-speed manual transmission.
Overall, the Accent is a handsome car that will endure the daily grind with minimal fuss. We think drivers with longer commutes won't regret choosing this Accent over a larger, more expensive car. It's a solid pick for its satisfying combination of performance, utility, comfort and style.
Notably, we picked the 2020 Hyundai Accent as one of Edmunds' Best Gas Mileage Cars for 2020.
Our verdict | |
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. | |
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 remains stable even when cornering on bumpy surfaces, too, 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. | |
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. | |
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 the front thanks to a low hood and dashboard. There's also a decent view out the back since the trunk isn't too high. | |
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. | |
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. | |
How economical is the Accent? | |
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. | |
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 a 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'. | |
Wildcard | |
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?
Hyundai Accent models
The 2020 Hyundai Accent is a four-door sedan that straddles the line between subcompact and compact. It's offered in base SE, SEL and Limited trim levels.
2020 Hyundai Accent pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Sponsored cars related to the Accent
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 Hyundai Accent.
Trending topics in reviews
- fuel efficiency
- spaciousness
- comfort
Most helpful consumer reviews
This is my second accent. A lot of leg room. I'm 6 ft tall. Great gas mileage. Recommend.
In Canada, we were able to get the 5-door 2020 Hyundai Accent Ultimate. It came with all the options you'd want in a inexpensive, yet sporty, sub-compact car. It actually has a nicer design than the 5-door 2020 Elantra GT, but admittedly has less power than the Elantra GT N-Line lol
For what it was, it was a good car. Great gas mileage, completely ho hum and forgettable. Exactly why I chose a 6sp (only avail on lowest trim model) which sacrificed a lot of driving aids and safety features. The six speed in this Hyundai might be the worst manual transmission in the world. Very rough shift and letting the clutch out doesn’t mean it’s engaged. It chooses when to engage almost picky. Difficult to shift and nearly EVERY GEAR grinds. I have driven manual transmission vehicles all of my life and in a few short months that I had this car I stalled it twice as many times as I stalled every other card ever going to combined
Features & Specs
| SE 4dr Sedan 1.6L 4cyl CVT | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $16,395 |
| MPG | 33 city / 41 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | Continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 120 hp @ 6300 rpm |
| SEL 4dr Sedan 1.6L 4cyl CVT | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $17,650 |
| MPG | 33 city / 41 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | Continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 120 hp @ 6300 rpm |
| SE 4dr Sedan 1.6L 4cyl 6M | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $15,295 |
| MPG | 29 city / 39 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Horsepower | 120 hp @ 6300 rpm |
| Limited 4dr Sedan 1.6L 4cyl CVT | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $19,400 |
| MPG | 33 city / 41 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 5 |
| Transmission | Continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 120 hp @ 6300 rpm |
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Accent safety features:
- Forward Collision Warning
- Available only on Accent Limited, forward collision warning alerts the driver to 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 4 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
| Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4 / 5 |
| Driver | 5 / 5 |
| Passenger | 4 / 5 |
| Side Crash Rating | Rating |
| Overall | 5 / 5 |
| Side Barrier Rating | Rating |
| Overall | 5 / 5 |
| Driver | 4 / 5 |
| Passenger | 5 / 5 |
| Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings | Rating |
| Front Seat | 4 / 5 |
| Back Seat | 5 / 5 |
| Rollover | Rating |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 |
| Dynamic Test Result | No Tip |
| Risk Of Rollover | 11.3% |
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
| Side Impact Test | Good |
|---|---|
| Roof Strength Test | Good |
| Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint | Good |
| IIHS Small Overlap Front Test | Not Tested |
| Moderate Overlap Front Test | Good |
Hyundai Accent vs. the competition
Hyundai Accent vs. Honda Fit
It's hard to beat the Honda Fit's versatility. With rear seats and a front passenger seat that fold in multiple ways, the Fit is exceptionally versatile for cargo needs. And its hatchback liftgate makes loading items easy. The Accent has a large trunk for the subcompact class, and cargo room opens up with a folding rear seat, but it can't beat the Fit's overall flexibility. Both cars could benefit from more power.
Hyundai Accent vs. Kia Rio
With the Rio and the Accent coming from similar family lines, there's not a world of difference here. True to the Kia brand, though, the Rio feels more sport-oriented than the utilitarian Accent. We're fans of the Accent's basic sporty feel, and the Rio amplifies that with sharp handling and good engine performance. On the other hand, the Rio's smallish trunk and cargo capacity somewhat limit its utility.
Hyundai Accent vs. Toyota Yaris
The Yaris benefits from actually being a Mazda under the skin, a product derived from a joint engineering project between Mazda and Toyota several years ago. And as a Toyota-badged Mazda, the Yaris has a lot going for it, with fun, sharp handling, an interior that's a notch above Toyota's usual offerings in this segment, and a generous set of standard features. The Yaris is slow, however, even in a class where slow is normal. And its cramped rear seat won't make you any fast friends with rear passengers.
FAQ
Is the Hyundai Accent a good car?
What's new in the 2020 Hyundai Accent?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Hyundai Accent:
- Improved fuel economy from a new, less powerful four-cylinder engine
- Continuously variable automatic transmission replaces traditional automatic
- Part of the fifth Accent generation introduced for 2018
Is the Hyundai Accent reliable?
Is the 2020 Hyundai Accent a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2020 Hyundai Accent?
The least-expensive 2020 Hyundai Accent is the 2020 Hyundai Accent SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $15,295.
Other versions include:
- SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $16,395
- SEL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $17,650
- SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $15,295
- Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $19,400
What are the different models of Hyundai Accent?
More about the 2020 Hyundai Accent
2020 Hyundai Accent Overview
The 2020 Hyundai Accent is offered in the following submodels: Accent Sedan. Available styles include SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT), SEL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT), SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6M), and Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT).
What do people think of the 2020 Hyundai Accent?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2020 Hyundai Accent and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2020 Accent 4.3 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2020 Accent.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2020 Hyundai Accent and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2020 Accent featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2020 Hyundai Accent?
2020 Hyundai Accent SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
The 2020 Hyundai Accent SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $17,605. The average price paid for a new 2020 Hyundai Accent SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) is trending $1,574 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1,574 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $16,031.
The average savings for the 2020 Hyundai Accent SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) is 8.9% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 2 2020 Hyundai Accent SE 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2020 Hyundai Accent SEL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
The 2020 Hyundai Accent SEL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $18,945. The average price paid for a new 2020 Hyundai Accent SEL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) is trending $1,701 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1,701 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $17,244.
The average savings for the 2020 Hyundai Accent SEL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) is 9% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 2 2020 Hyundai Accent SEL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
2020 Hyundai Accent Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
The 2020 Hyundai Accent Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $20,695. The average price paid for a new 2020 Hyundai Accent Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) is trending $1,815 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1,815 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $18,880.
The average savings for the 2020 Hyundai Accent Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) is 8.8% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2020 Hyundai Accent Limited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
Which 2020 Hyundai Accents are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2020 Hyundai Accent for sale near. There are currently 11 new 2020 Accents listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $17,545 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2020 Hyundai Accent. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $2,510 on a used or CPO 2020 Accent available from a dealership near you.
Can't find a new 2020 Hyundai Accents you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Hyundai for sale - 1 great deals out of 5 listings starting at $10,167.
Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2020 Hyundai Accent?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Hyundai lease specials