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’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. | |
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
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 Hyundai Accent.
Trending topics in reviews
- fuel efficiency
- comfort
- spaciousness
Most helpful consumer reviews
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $16,395
- MPG & Fuel
- 33 City / 41 Hwy / 36 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.9 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 120 hp @ 6300 rpm
- Torque: 113 lb-ft @ 4850 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 5 yr./ 60000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 172.6 in. / Height: 57.1 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: N/A
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 68.1 in.
- Curb Weight: 2623 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 13.7 cu.ft.
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.
Hyundai Accent vs. the competition
2020 Hyundai Accent
2019 Honda Fit
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.
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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