2018 Hyundai Accent review
Hyundai Accent highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Comfortable ride and impressively quiet cabin
- Spacious interior with quality materials and excellent fit and finish
- Long warranty coverage
- Impressive real-world fuel economy
Cons
- Front seats don’t offer much adjustment
- Enhanced driver aids only available on top trim level
Mileage (EPA estimate)
28 city, 37 highway, 31 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
2018 Hyundai Accent kicks off new era with new features
The 2018 Hyundai Accent got a comprehensive overhaul, bringing the scrappy subcompact into the modern age with a new look, more room (it was already one of the roomier choices), more tech and safety features, and better fuel economy. Previously available in both hatchback and sedan body styles, with automatic and manual transmissions, only the sedan survived the transition. That’s too bad since the hatchback expanded the Accent’s versatility with impressive cargo space. The sensible and stylish sedan is good enough to make you forget the hatchback, though.
The Accent’s four-cylinder engine returns with a bit less power, but better fuel economy. The interior also gains a little elbow room from a longer and wider body, but retains the quiet and comfortable character that was fundamental to the older model’s appeal. More crucial, the Accent finally offers modern tech features absent in the last car, including Apple and Android smartphone integration and basic driver assistance aids. The latter are only available on the top trim, however.
All Hyundai Accent years
What is new for the 2018 Hyundai Accent?
- The Accent is available in a variety of new trims, including the Limited and SEL.
- The Sport and Value Edition trims have been discontinued for 2018.
- Accent trims have been upgraded with Rear View Camera, Front Seat Heaters, Smart Key, and Sunroof(s) as standard equipment this year.
- The SE trim now comes with Bluetooth Technology as standard equipment.
2018 Hyundai Accent trims
SE:
- 130-hp, 119-lb-ft of torque 1.6L
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Mirrors
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- View our Hyundai Accent SE inventory
SEL:
- Includes all features available on the SE
- Alloy Wheels
- Satellite Radio Ready
- View our Hyundai Accent SEL inventory
Limited:
- Includes all features available on the SEL
- Front Seat Heaters
- Smart Key
- Sunroofs
- View our Hyundai Accent Limited inventory
Hyundai Accent photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Hyundai Accent
What We Like:
Performance: Small economy cars aren’t known for performance, but the Accent surprises with its nimble nature. It’s agile and stable around through turns, even bumpy ones. Its four-cylinder engine has lost a bit of power compared to earlier years, but it’s actually quicker. The 2018 Accent covers zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, slightly quicker than the last generation. The engine can feel a bit anemic at higher speeds, and usually requires kicking down a gear for highway merging and passing. Overall though, the Accent has plenty of sauce for daily driving and impresses with its grip and composure.
Comfort: The 2018 Accent sits atop a longer body than earlier models, which helps smooth out rougher ruts and bumps in the road. An updated suspension setup also minimizes jolts and keeps the ride fairly smooth and quiet. Inside the cabin, the dash slopes forward and contributes to an open, roomy feel. There's also ample front headroom, although the sloping roofline pinches a bit of headroom from rear passengers. Wide door openings also make it easy to hop in and out.
Utility: The Accent’s 13.7 cu-ft of trunk space is average for the class, but Hyundai makes it feel bigger with a large opening, lowered trunk floor and a low bumper, making it easier to wrangle suitcases, boxes and groceries. The rear seats also split in a 60/40 configuration, enhancing the Accent’s cargo space and utility.
What Needs Improvement
Technology: The 2018 Accent finally joined the digital age with a handful of overdue tech updates. The SE base trim got a 5-inch touchscreen and the two upper trims — SEL and Limited — got a 7-inch display, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and an upgraded six-speaker sound system. In-dash navigation was not available, although smartphone apps are a useful alternative. A rearview camera debuts on the Accent, as does forward collision alert and automatic emergency braking. The latter features are only available on the most expensive Limited trim. It’s better than nothing, but still disappointing seeing as how the contemporary Honda Fit offered a full suite of driver aids.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Hyundai Accent an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Hyundai Accent 11th out of 27 among Subcompact Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Hyundai AccentHyundai Accent features and specs
SE 2WD 4D Sedan
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Cloth Seats
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
1.6L
Horsepower
130
Torque (ft-lbs)
119
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
11.9
Wheelbase
101.6"
Overall length
172.6"
Width
68.1"
Height
57.1"
Leg room
F 42.1"/R 33.5"
Head room
F 38.9"/R 37.3"
Front tires
P185/65TR15
Rear tires
P185/65TR15
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2018 Hyundai Accent FAQ
The 2018 Hyundai Accent is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- SE : 28 MPG City and 38 MPG Highway
- SEL : 28 MPG City and 38 MPG Highway
- Limited : 28 MPG City and 38 MPG Highway
The Hyundai Accent received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks the Hyundai Accent as 10 out of 27 among Subcompact Car
The 2018 Hyundai Accent has received an average 4.6 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 Hyundai Accent, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 Hyundai Accent Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2018 Hyundai Accent:
- Limited
- SEL
- Rear View Camera
- Front Seat Heaters
- Smart Key
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