Hyundai Accent — Specs, Trims, Prices & Owner Reviews
The Hyundai Accent is Hyundai's subcompact, front-wheel-drive entry model, sold in the United States since the 1995 model year as the replacement for the Excel. The name is an acronym for "Advanced Compact Car of Epoch-making New Technology," and the same basic car has been sold as the Verna across most of Asia and as the Solaris in Russia. Through six generations it has always been the cheapest car in Hyundai's American showroom, squaring off against the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Sonic and its corporate cousin, the Kia Rio.
Model years 2015–2022 · Independent buyer data
Fuel economy: 33 mpg city / 41 hwy
Hyundai Accent: General Information
The Hyundai Accent is Hyundai's subcompact, front-wheel-drive entry model, sold in the United States since the 1995 model year as the replacement for the Excel. The name is an acronym for "Advanced Compact Car of Epoch-making New Technology," and the same basic car has been sold as the Verna across most of Asia and as the Solaris in Russia. Through six generations it has always been the cheapest car in Hyundai's American showroom, squaring off against the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Sonic and its corporate cousin, the Kia Rio.
The fourth-generation RB car, sold in North America for the 2012–2017 model years, sat on the Hyundai-Kia PB platform and offered both a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback, with one engine — a 1.6-liter Gamma direct-injected four rated at 137 horsepower — and a six-speed manual or automatic. The fifth-generation HC car arrived for 2018 on the K2 platform, sedan-only in the U.S., with output down to 130 hp but with genuinely modern equipment for the first time: a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, forward collision-avoidance assist, proximity key entry and heated seats. For 2020 Hyundai swapped in a 120-hp Smartstream 1.6 DPi and an IVT continuously variable transmission, and dropped the manual after 2021.
Standout traits are an unusually long wheelbase for the class — 101.2 inches on the RB, 101.6 on the HC — that buys real rear-seat room, a 13.7-cubic-foot trunk on the sedan and up to 47.5 cubic feet in the discontinued hatchback, and Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Canada lost the Accent at the end of 2020 and the United States after the 2022 model year, with the Venue crossover inheriting the entry-level slot. U.S. output spans 120 to 137 hp, EPA ratings run from 26 mpg city / 36 mpg highway on the old automatic up to 33 / 41 with the IVT, and base prices from roughly $14,700 to $19,600.
Hyundai Accent by model year
2015 Hyundai Accent
2015 Hyundai Accent GLS
The GLS is the four-door sedan and the only body style offered at the bottom of the 2015 range, opening at $14,745 with the six-speed manual. For 2015 it picked up the Accent's mid-cycle freshening — a new grille, revised headlights, new 14-inch wheel covers and updated interior fabrics — and gained an optional $600 Popular Equipment Package on automatic cars that finally added cruise control, Bluetooth and a telescoping steering wheel. Power comes from the same 138-hp 1.6-liter direct-injected four used across the lineup.
2015 Hyundai Accent GS
The GS is the entry five-door hatchback, listing at $14,995 with the manual and $16,195 with the automatic. It carries essentially the GLS sedan's equipment — air conditioning, a 172-watt six-speaker audio system with satellite radio, USB and iPod connectivity, and a rear defroster — but trades the sedan's 13.7-cubic-foot trunk for a hatch that opens out to 47.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 rear seatbacks folded. For 2015 it also gained LED accents in its headlights.
2015 Hyundai Accent Sport
Sport is the new name for 2015 of what had been the Accent SE — the top five-door, listing at $16,495 with the manual and $17,495 with the automatic. It keeps the 138-hp 1.6 but adds a sport-tuned suspension and steering calibration, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, standard Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped wheel and shifter, a sliding armrest and unique exterior trim. The Car Connection rated it the best-handling car in the range.
2016 Hyundai Accent
2016 Hyundai Accent SE
SE is the new single name for 2016 of what had been the GLS sedan and the GS hatchback, and it is offered in both bodies — a four-door sedan from $14,745 with the six-speed manual and a five-door hatchback from $16,195 with the automatic. Mechanically nothing changed: it is still the 137-hp 1.6-liter Gamma direct-injected four with a six-speed manual or a six-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic. The 2016 updates are small — an improved base audio system, a one-touch turn signal, sliding sun visors and a driver's blind-spot mirror.
2016 Hyundai Accent Sport
Sport remains the top of the range and a five-door hatchback only, listing at $17,495 with the six-speed automatic — the most expensive 2016 Accent. It uses the same 137-hp 1.6-liter four but adds a sport-tuned suspension and steering calibration, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, heated side mirrors, a sliding armrest and unique interior trim. The Car Connection named it the pick of the 2016 lineup for being the most practical and the best-handling version.
2017 Hyundai Accent
2017 Hyundai Accent SE
The SE is the volume Accent and the last year it can be had as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback, starting at $14,745 with the six-speed manual. Power is unchanged at 137 hp and 123 lb-ft from the 1.6-liter Gamma direct-injected four, with a six-speed manual standard and a six-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic optional. This is the run-out year for the fourth-generation RB Accent — an all-new fifth-generation sedan arrives for 2018 and the hatchback body is dropped from the U.S. lineup entirely.
2017 Hyundai Accent Value Edition
Value Edition is a brand-new sedan-only trim for 2017 and, because the redesigned 2018 Accent switches to an SE/SEL/Limited ladder, it is also the only model year it ever existed. At $16,450 with the six-speed automatic it slots between the SE and the Sport, adding 16-inch alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, Bluetooth and a sliding armrest storage console. The engine is the same 137-hp 1.6-liter direct-injected four as everything else in the range.
2017 Hyundai Accent Sport
The Sport tops the 2017 range at $17,495 with the six-speed automatic and is a five-door hatchback only. It keeps the 137-hp 1.6-liter four but adds a sport-tuned suspension and steering calibration, 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, a sliding armrest and unique exterior and interior trim. Because Hyundai dropped both the hatchback body and the Sport name from the U.S. lineup when the fifth-generation sedan arrived for 2018, this is the last Accent Sport ever sold in America.
2018 Hyundai Accent
2018 Hyundai Accent SE
2018 brings an all-new fifth-generation Accent on the K2 platform, and the SE is the entry point at $14,995 with the six-speed manual. The 1.6-liter direct-injected four is retuned to 130 hp and 119 lb-ft — down from the old car's 137 hp — but EPA numbers climb to 28 mpg city and up to 38 highway. The hatchback body is gone from the U.S. lineup for good, so every 2018 Accent is a sedan with a 13.7-cubic-foot trunk.
2018 Hyundai Accent SEL
SEL is a brand-new name for the Accent in 2018, replacing the old Value Edition as the mid-grade car at $17,295 with the standard six-speed automatic. It is the cheapest way into the Accent's 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — a first for the model — plus SiriusXM satellite radio, automatic headlights, heated side mirrors and 15-inch alloy wheels. Mechanically it is identical to the SE automatic: 130 hp, front-wheel drive, 28/38 mpg.
2018 Hyundai Accent Limited
Limited is the new range-topper for 2018 at $18,895 and the first Accent ever offered with a sunroof, heated front seats and automatic emergency braking. It also brings 17-inch alloy wheels, push-button start with proximity key, LED daytime running lights, fog lights, a chrome grille, automatic climate control, a 3.5-inch driver's display, Blue Link connected services and a hands-free trunk that opens when you stand behind the car with the key fob. MotorTrend's instrumented test of this powertrain returned 0-60 mph in 9.6 seconds.
2019 Hyundai Accent
2019 Hyundai Accent SE
The 2019 SE carries over at $14,995 with the six-speed manual, still the cheapest new Hyundai on sale, and picks up a chrome grille as its one visible change for the year. The 1.6-liter direct-injected four is unchanged at 130 hp and 119 lb-ft, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic. Cruise control, Bluetooth and a 5.0-inch touchscreen with a rearview camera are standard.
2019 Hyundai Accent SEL
The mid-range SEL lists at $17,345 with the standard six-speed automatic — $50 more than 2018 — and gains fog lights and chrome beltline molding for 2019. It remains the cheapest Accent with the 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and SiriusXM, and adds automatic headlights, heated side mirrors, a tilt/telescoping wheel and 15-inch alloy wheels. Power stays at 130 hp with 28/38 mpg.
2019 Hyundai Accent Limited
The Limited tops the 2019 range at $19,080 and gains standard LED headlights, which are what earned the Accent its 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It keeps the 17-inch alloy wheels, forward collision-avoidance assist, power sunroof, heated front seats, automatic climate control and proximity key with push-button start. MotorTrend measured this 130-hp automatic Accent at 9.6 seconds to 60 mph.
2020 Hyundai Accent
2020 Hyundai Accent SE
2020 is the Accent's big powertrain year: the old 130-hp Gamma GDI four is replaced by a 120-hp Smartstream 1.6-liter DPi, and the six-speed automatic gives way to Hyundai's IVT continuously variable transmission. The trade is a big one — EPA ratings jump from 28/38 to 33 mpg city and 41 highway. The SE still opens the range and is the only trim that keeps the six-speed manual, at $15,295.
2020 Hyundai Accent SEL
The SEL sits in the middle at $17,650 with the IVT standard — a $305 rise on 2019, which buys the new, thriftier powertrain. It remains the cheapest Accent with the 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus SiriusXM, automatic headlights, fog lights, heated side mirrors and 15-inch alloy wheels. EPA ratings are 33 mpg city and 41 highway.
2020 Hyundai Accent Limited
Limited remains the range-topper at $19,400 and is the only Accent with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, forward collision-avoidance assist, a power sunroof and heated front seats. It also gets automatic climate control, a proximity key with push-button start and a hands-free trunk. Despite the smaller-output engine, the IVT keeps it at the same 33/41 mpg as the rest of the automatic range.
2021 Hyundai Accent
2021 Hyundai Accent SE
The 2021 SE opens the range at $15,395 with the six-speed manual — the last model year Hyundai offered a stick shift in the Accent — or $16,495 with the IVT. The Smartstream 1.6-liter DPi four carries over at 120 hp and 113 lb-ft, good for 29/39 mpg with the manual and 33/41 with the IVT. Changes for the year are limited to the palette: Forge Gray joins the list while Urban Gray and Linen Beige are dropped.
2021 Hyundai Accent SEL
SEL is the mid-grade 2021 Accent at $17,750, IVT-only, and remains the cheapest way into the 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It adds SiriusXM satellite radio, automatic headlights, fog lights, heated side mirrors, a tilt/telescoping wheel and 15-inch alloy wheels over the SE. EPA ratings are 33 mpg city and 41 highway.
2021 Hyundai Accent Limited
The $19,500 Limited is the only 2021 Accent with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, forward collision-avoidance assist, a power sunroof and heated front seats, and it adds automatic climate control, a proximity key with push-button start and a hands-free trunk. Like the rest of the IVT range it returns 33 mpg city and 41 highway. NHTSA gives every 2021 Accent four stars overall, with five stars in the side-impact test.
2022 Hyundai Accent
2022 Hyundai Accent SE
2022 is the last model year of the Hyundai Accent in the United States — Hyundai confirmed in June 2022 that it would not return for 2023, with the Venue crossover taking over as the entry-level model. The SE opens the final range at $16,645, and because the six-speed manual has been dropped, the IVT continuously variable transmission is now the only gearbox. The only functional change for the year is that an engine immobilizer becomes standard across the lineup.
2022 Hyundai Accent SEL
The mid-grade SEL closes out its run at $17,900 with the IVT, and is once again the cheapest Accent with the 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also carries SiriusXM, automatic headlights, fog lights, heated side mirrors, a tilt/telescoping wheel and 15-inch alloy wheels. Like every other 2022 Accent it uses the 120-hp Smartstream 1.6 and returns 33 mpg city and 41 highway.
2022 Hyundai Accent Limited
The $19,600 Limited is the most expensive Hyundai Accent ever sold in the United States and the last one, keeping 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, forward collision-avoidance assist, a power sunroof, heated front seats, automatic climate control, a proximity key with push-button start and a hands-free trunk. It shares the 120-hp Smartstream 1.6 and IVT with the rest of the range for 33/41 mpg. NHTSA rates every 2022 Accent four stars overall and five stars in the side-impact test.
Hyundai Accent trim levels
| Trim | MSRP | Engine | Power | Drive | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLS | $14,745 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 138 hp / 123 lb-ft | FWD | 27 / 38 mpg |
| GS | $14,995 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 138 hp / 123 lb-ft | FWD | 27 / 38 mpg |
| Sport | $16,495 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 138 hp / 123 lb-ft | FWD | 27 / 38 mpg |
| SE | $14,745 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 137 hp / 123 lb-ft | FWD | 27 / 38 mpg |
| Sport | $17,495 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 137 hp / 123 lb-ft | FWD | 26 / 37 mpg |
| SE | $14,745 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 137 hp / 123 lb-ft | FWD | 27 / 37 mpg |
| Value Edition | $16,450 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 137 hp / 123 lb-ft | FWD | 26 / 36 mpg |
| Sport | $17,495 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 137 hp / 123 lb-ft | FWD | 26 / 36 mpg |
| SE | $14,995 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 130 hp / 119 lb-ft | FWD | 28 / 37 mpg |
| SEL | $17,295 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 130 hp / 119 lb-ft | FWD | 28 / 38 mpg |
| Limited | $18,895 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 130 hp / 119 lb-ft | FWD | 28 / 38 mpg |
| SE | $14,995 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 130 hp / 119 lb-ft | FWD | 28 / 37 mpg |
| SEL | $17,345 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 130 hp / 119 lb-ft | FWD | 28 / 38 mpg |
| Limited | $19,080 | 1.6L GDI I4 | 130 hp / 119 lb-ft | FWD | 28 / 38 mpg |
| SE | $15,295 | 1.6L Smartstream DPi I4 | 120 hp / 113 lb-ft | FWD | 29 / 39 mpg |
| SEL | $17,650 | 1.6L Smartstream DPi I4 | 120 hp / 113 lb-ft | FWD | 33 / 41 mpg |
| Limited | $19,400 | 1.6L Smartstream DPi I4 | 120 hp / 113 lb-ft | FWD | 33 / 41 mpg |
| SE | $15,395 | 1.6L Smartstream DPi I4 | 120 hp / 113 lb-ft | FWD | 29 / 39 mpg |
| SEL | $17,750 | 1.6L Smartstream DPi I4 | 120 hp / 113 lb-ft | FWD | 33 / 41 mpg |
| Limited | $19,500 | 1.6L Smartstream DPi I4 | 120 hp / 113 lb-ft | FWD | 33 / 41 mpg |
| SE | $16,645 | 1.6L Smartstream DPi I4 | 120 hp / 113 lb-ft | FWD | 33 / 41 mpg |
| SEL | $17,900 | 1.6L Smartstream DPi I4 | 120 hp / 113 lb-ft | FWD | 33 / 41 mpg |
| Limited | $19,600 | 1.6L Smartstream DPi I4 | 120 hp / 113 lb-ft | FWD | 33 / 41 mpg |
Specifications (2022)
| Fuel | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does the Hyundai Accent cost?
The Hyundai Accent has a typical price range of $16,645 - $19,600, spanning 23 trim levels. Actual prices vary by year, mileage and local market conditions.
What fuel economy does the Hyundai Accent get?
The Hyundai Accent achieves 33 / 41 mpg. Real-world figures depend on trim, drivetrain and driving style.
Is the Hyundai Accent reliable?
Owner-reported reliability is rated 7.5 / 10. Recall history: 2 recalls (NHTSA, 2022 model year — campaigns 22V311000 and 22V354000).
What years of the Hyundai Accent are available to compare?
Cars4Real covers Hyundai Accent model years 2015–2022. You can compare every year and trim side by side with live market prices and real owner reviews.