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2013 Hyundai Accent

2013 Hyundai Accent

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Overview

The Hyundai Accent holds a strong position among Korean subcompact and small cars, ranking first out of three and second out of eight respectively. This indicates that it is highly regarded in its home market for its size and class. However, when it comes to comfort in the subcompact category, the Accent doesn't fare as well, ranking fourth out of seventeen. This suggests that while the Accent is a top contender in terms of size and origin, there may be other subcompact cars in the market that offer a more comfortable ride. Overall, the Hyundai Accent is a strong competitor in its class, particularly among Korean vehicles.

Overview

The 2013 Hyundai Accent is an affordable five-passenger subcompact car that provides a fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient and feature-laden means of reliable transportation in either sedan or hatchback model. Redesigned in 2012, this year Hyundai added standard equipment to the base sedan to make it more appealing to budget-conscious buyers.

What Experts Think

While the Accent was redesigned for 2012, Hyundai upped the ante with the 2013 model, particularly with the base sedan, adding more standard equipment. Among the automotive press, the general consensus is that the Accent is a pleasing and reasonably-priced small car offering good fuel economy and a nice driving experience.

"With handsome styling, relatively strong performance and solid build quality, the 2013 Hyundai Accent stands tire-to-tire with the best in a competitive class." (Edmunds)

Car and Driver, noting that the Accent was "vastly improved" for 2012, says the car continues as a "solid player in the little car segment." Pluses include "tasteful styling inside and out," as well as a fuel-efficient 1.6-liter engine.

While remarking that the Accent is "a joy to operate in the city and suburbs," Consumer Guide also found the cabin to be pleasing, the car "shockingly quiet on the highway at 65-70 mph," but isn't enamored of its passing power or fuel economy.

With price very much on the minds of buyers, Kelley Blue Book observes, "If your limited budget has you thinking ‘used car,' you might be pleasantly surprised at just how much new car the 2013 Hyundai Accent can get you for around $15,000."

Consumer Reports calls Hyundai's entry-level model Accent a "basic yet sensible subcompact." But although the front cabin "is roomy enough," it can be quite cramped in the rear. Responsive, if jittery handling, elevated noise levels ("but not offensive"), and straightforward controls are other observations.

What Owners Say

Commenting on such sites as MSN Autos, Yahoo Autos, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and Cars.com, owners of the 2013 Hyundai Accent are generally well satisfied with their purchase.

Highlights for many owners are the fact that the Accent is an "impressive car for the money," that it provides good performance, is comfortable, reliable, and has lots of features. The lifetime warranty provided with the car is another feather that is highly appreciated by owners.

Some gripes included one owner who complained that ABS (antilock braking system) "lifts the rear of the car off the road," there's no spare tire, and the radio goes in and out constantly. Another owner mentioned the Eco button makes the car lose too much power and reaction time, but other than that, this is a "great vehicle."

In the middle are comments about the front seats. Some owners find them comfortable, while others say they're the worst seats ever, especially lacking lumbar support.

Model/Trim Lineup

A compact car, the 2013 Hyundai Accent is available as a four-door sedan or a four-door hatchback. The sedan is only available in base GLS trim, but the hatchback comes in base GS and sporty SE trims.

Starting with the Accent GLS sedan, standard equipment includes 14-inch steel wheels, a tilt steering wheel, 60/40-split-folding rear seatback, air conditioning, a trip computer, full power accessories, a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and iPod/USB/auxiliary input jacks.

There is a Premium package available on the Accent GLS sedan with automatic transmission that includes 16-inch alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, fog lights, keyless entry, cruise control, steering-wheel mounted-audio controls, Bluetooth, premium cloth seats, and a center storage console with a sliding armrest.

The Accent GS hatchback includes all the equipment of standard GLS, plus the addition of a rear windshield wiper, keyless entry, a driver seat armrest, and body-colored mirrors and door handles.

The Accent SE adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rear spoiler, and the equipment in the Premium package. The SE with automatic transmission can be equipped with a sunroof package.

Performance

Most auto reviewers note that the Accent is no rocket on the highway in terms of passing, powered as it is by a single 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. Still, most critics say it is adequate off the line in terms of acceleration. The single engine can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Some auto critics comment that the automatic is "very smooth and responsive" and includes a fuel-efficient Eco mode. Others mention the Accent's "fun-to-drive nature."

EPA-estimated fuel economy is 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined with the manual transmission and 28/37/31 mpg with the automatic. Some reviewers comment that the Accent provides more horsepower and more fuel economy than the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Mazda Mazda2.

Only front-wheel drive is available on the 2013 Hyundai Accent.

Interior

Hyundai paid special attention to the cabin of the 2013 Accent, in the view of many in the motoring press. What the auto critics especially like are the bold shapes and semi-metallic finishes that complement the subcompact car's exterior looks nicely. Also noteworthy are the backlit knobs and buttons.

More than one auto critic noted that there's nothing about the car's interior that makes you think of an "econobox." Instead, it feels more like a solid compact than a subcompact.

Front seats are considered roomy and well-shaped, but the lack of a telescoping steering wheel may be a negative for some tall drivers. Headroom and legroom are deemed comfortable in the rear even for six-footers. As for the rear middle seat, that's basically useless, as is the case for most small cars.

Visibility is generally thought to be quite good, although the hatchback's tiny quarter windows in the thick rear roof pillars result in a large blind spot to back corners.

As for cargo space in the Accent, the sedan provides 13.7 cubic feet, fairly impressive for the category. But it's the hatchback that really excels in cargo space, providing up to 47.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down and 21.2 cubic feet with them up.

Safety & Reliability

Standard safety equipment in the 2013 Hyundai Accent includes six airbags, active front head restraints, stability and traction control, and antilock disc brakes with brake assist.

In government crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Accent received a four-star overall rating, with four stars each for frontal-impact protection and side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Accent a "Good" rating (its highest possible) in frontal-offset and roof strength tests, but the Accent only earned an "Acceptable" rating in side-impact testing.

Reliability for the 2013 Hyundai Accent is rated at three circles from the J.D. Power and Associates Predicted Reliability Rating. What this means is that the Accent offers reliability that is about average for the class.

2013 Hyundai Accent Trims

Trim Engine Drive Train MSRP
GLS 4dr Sedan 4 Cylinder FWD 14545
GS 4dr Hatchback 4 Cylinder FWD 14795
SE 4dr Hatchback 4 Cylinder FWD 16095

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