2012 Hyundai Accent SE: Autoweek Autofile car review

So why are we so fond of this little car?.

The Hyundai Accent is not particularly fast, nor is it the first thing that comes to mind when we're looking for an autocross car. The seats could be much more comfortable, the shifter could lose some of its mushiness and the steering could use a bit more feel. Even its stopping power is mediocre at best. So why are we so fond of this little car?

Because despite all of those foibles, the car on whole offers just about everything you need—seating for five, Costco-worthy cargo capacity, superior fuel efficiency and a decent suite of tech and safety features—in a package that still provides a modicum of enjoyment, at least in the “it's more fun to drive a small car fast than a fast car slow” vein. And with a sticker starting at $13,320 ($15,470 for the handy-dandy five-door hatchback), the Accent represents the bottom rung of the automotive pricing ladder. But unlike years past, entry-level is no longer an unpleasant place to spend time.

The engine has a level of sophistication even some more expensive rides can't boast, the all-aluminum 1.6-liter four-banger sporting direct gasoline injection and dual continuously variable valve timing, good for 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. On paper, the six-speed manual-equipped Accent SE like our tester should be good for an EPA-estimated 34 mpg combined. We managed just 30.9 mpg, but we also exercised the heck out of the tach, the needle flitting about above 5,000 rpm for nearly its entire stay.

At the track, the 1.6-liter pulled the Accent to 60 mph from a standstill in 8.3 seconds; the quarter-mile took 16.6 seconds at 84.1 mph. Yet on the freeway, the Accent never wanted for more passing power, as attested to by its rolling acceleration numbers: The run from 30 to 50 mph took just 3.7 seconds, and 70 mph was reached in another 5.4 seconds.

Stopping distances, however, could benefit from better rubber, the Accent's 10.1-inch vented front and 10.3-inch solid rear rotors (and its standard four-channel antilock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution) eating up a surprising 133.5 feet when coming to a stop from 60 mph. Still, during repeated brake tests, we didn't detect much fade and found the stopping distance repeatable. Fault falls on the low-rolling-resistance tires for the below-average performance.

And, despite handling numbers that also failed to wow, we found the Accent to be a confidence-inspiring car. “It's remarkably stable and predictable around the skidpad and through the slalom,” said one tester, though it managed just 42.6 mph through the cones and 0.79 g of lateral acceleration.

The SE model we tested came chock-full of standard features that everyone on staff could appreciate, from satellite radio and an iPod jack to steering-wheel-mounted audio controls to the hands-free phone system. Owners particularly called out Hyundai's best-in-the-business warranty and the copious cargo space, 47.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats stowed. But few liked the flat, hard seat bottoms.

Perhaps the biggest praise for the Accent came from a staffer who opted for it over anything else in the fleet: “I love this car,” he said. “I even took the whole family on a weekend vacation in it.”

2012 Hyundai Accent SE

STICKER
Base price: $15,470
As-tested price: $15,795

CHASSIS
Five-passenger hatchback

DIMENSIONS
Curb weight (lb): 2,430 lb

CAPACITIES
Fuel (gal): 11.4
Cargo seats up/folded (cu ft): 21.2/47.5
Headroom/legroom (in): 39.9/41.8 front, 37.8/33.3 rear

ENGINE
1.6-liter I4
Power: 138 hp @ 6,300
Torque: 123 lb-ft @ 4,850

DRIVETRAIN
front-wheel drive
Transmission: six-speed manual

BRAKES
10.1 inch discs front and 10.3 discs rear

SAFETY
Standard stability and traction control, AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system, Bluetooth phone connectivity with voice recognition
NHTSA overall crash rating (out of five): 4
Standard airbags: 6

STANDING-START ACCELERATION
0-60 mph: 8.3 sec
Quarter-mile: 16.6 sec @ 84.1 mph

BRAKING
60-0 mph: 133.5 ft

FUEL ECONOMY
EPA combined: 34 mpg
AW overall: 30.9 mpg

RESIDUALS
Three-year: $8,225
Five-year: $5,250

Owners' Voices

Prior to the release of the Accent, we looked at the Nissan Versa, the Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris. None of those are particularly good highway cars because of the gearing and the conventional engines. With Hyundai's release of high-compression engines with new transmissions, a test drive was in order when the first Accent hatchback arrived on the dealer's lot.

The Accent is full of the basic goodies and steering-wheel-mounted radio controls, Bluetooth, satellite radio and a nice interior. The direct-injection engine offers acceptable performance, the ride is firm and handling is adequate. There are cars that are more fun to drive, but the Accent is an appliance—a nice appliance.

Minor complaints include OK stereo speakers, seat fabric that's susceptible to soiling and exterior paint that has too much orange peel. Still, I think the Accent and its sister Kia model are the best of this class of cars in the United States.

Les Larson, Bismarck, N.D.

The major reason I purchased a 2012 Accent SE is the engine: twin cam, dual variable timing, direct injection, roller timing chain and no timing belt, balance shaft and blower. The last part comes from the retired import mechanic in me. Once I got a hold of the engine specs sheet, I went hunting for the car. I ordered it never seeing one in person.

My wife is the primary driver of our Accent and records 45 mpg. I am a bit more aggressive but still average 40 mpg-plus. It handles well and rides firm but reasonable. Traction control works nicely in the snow. The electric steering takes time to get used to. To appreciate the engine, turn the stereo and the air off, roll down the window, put the gearbox in third, give it half-throttle and let it wind out to 7,000 rpm. You will hear an automotive symphony.

David Ryan, Waterloo, Ind.

Others Considered

2012 Ford Fiesta SE, $16,465

2012 Chevrolet Sonic 1LT, $16,660

2012 Honda Fit Sport, $17,850

Gallery

 

Because despite all of those foibles, the car on whole offers just about everything you need —seating for five, Costco-worthy cargo capacity, su.

The SE model we tested came chock-full of standard features that everyone on staff could appreciate, from satellite radio and an iPod jack to steering.

And with a sticker starting at $13,320 ($15,470 for the handy-dandy five-door hatchback), the Accent represents the bottom rung of the automotive pric.

The engine has a level of sophistication even some more expensive rides can't boast, the all-aluminum 1.6-liter four-banger sporting direct gasoline.