2012 Hyundai Accent at the 2011 New York Auto Show
- Competes with: Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Sonic, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit
- Looks like: Email your office manager – the 40-mpg club needs to book a bigger conference room
- Drivetrain: 138-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or automatic; front-wheel drive
- Hits dealerships: Summer
More Coverage of the 2011 New York Auto Show
Hyundai’s “fluidic design” ethos gives the Accent a similar shape to the Elantra. Save the Elantra’s shapelier headlights — and, conversely, the Accent’s shapelier (optional) fog lights — it could be easy to mistake one for the other. Gone is the old Accent’s high-shelf dash; the new one’s wraparound textures appear more inviting, but we’ll have to see it in person to weigh in. Given the Accent’s segment, expect base models to come sparsely equipped; Hyundai says options will include iPod/USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
Hyundai will pair the Accent’s new direct-injection 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The engine makes a healthy 138 horsepower and 123 pounds-feet of torque, both substantial increases over last year’s port-injected 1.6-liter (110 hp and 106 pounds-feet). Both transmissions secure the 30/40 mpg rating — no options required — something actor Jeff Bridges will doubtless articulate in forthcoming Hyundai ads that he voices. A driver-selectable Eco button modifies drivetrain response to improve real-world mileage up to 7%, according to Hyundai.
Still, the Accent’s larger sibling, the Elantra, secures impressive EPA ratings of 29/40 mpg city/highway. We’re curious why the Accent only does 1 mpg city better, but we suspect weight plays a big role. The two sedans are only about 250 pounds apart — less than the average difference between a Ford Fiesta and Focus (318 pounds) or a Toyota Corolla and Yaris (421 pounds).
There won’t be any more $9,985 two-door hatchback, but Hyundai expects similar pricing with other outgoing trims despite the redesign offering a bevy of new engineering and safety technology. All-disc antilock brakes and a stability system will be standard, and given Hyundai’s recent string of Top Safety Picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, expect the new Accent to score considerably better than its poorly performing predecessor.
More photos below.
