1. 2012 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Review from
Edmunds.com
What Edmunds Says
Larger, sharper and more fuel-efficient, the redesigned 2012 Hyundai Accent deserves buyer
consideration as an affordable, stylish new car.
Pros
Strong engine; excellent fuel economy; engaging style; long warranty.
Cons
Limited rear visibility in hatchback; competitors offer more options.
What's New for 2012
Fully redesigned, the 2012 Hyundai Accent features a more powerful and efficient engine, a new
four-door hatchback body style and upgraded interior.
Introduction
With Hyundai gripped by a frenzy of redesigns and new product launches, it was only a matter of
time before the automaker sent its subcompact Accent to get fit. The 2012 Hyundai Accent is so
thoroughly awakened from a life of invisibility that its transformation reads like a classic Hans
Christian Andersen fable.
Before, the Accent perfectly represented the bland aesthetics and underwhelming excitement that
most subcompact buyers settled for. This all-new version of the entry-level Hyundai now shares
the sharp styling of the similarly reimagined Sonata and Elantra, making it more an object of
pride than embarrassment for a new owner.

2. Offered as either a sedan or hatchback, the fourth-generation Accent's wheelbase has grown 3
inches, yielding a more accommodating interior that, like other new Hyundai models, features an
attractive finish and a long list of standard conveniences. Equally noteworthy is the new 1.6-liter
four-cylinder engine offering direct injection -- a rarity in this class -- and class-leading power
and fuel economy. A pair of new six-speed transmissions rounds out the powertrain upgrades.
The Accent's redesign now enables it to run with stiff competition. The Honda Fit offers a more
versatile interior, the Ford Fiesta packs more technology, the Mazda 2 handles better and the new
Chevrolet Sonic uses a turbocharged engine to match the Accent's new power. There's also the
redesigned Kia Rio, which shares similar underpinnings but with bolder styling.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2012 Hyundai Accent is a compact four-door sedan or four-door hatchback. The sedan is
offered only in base GLS trim, while the hatchback comes in GS and the top-line SE trims.
The GLS sedan comes equipped with 14-inch steel wheels, power door locks, a tilt steering
wheel, 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks, a trip computer and an audio prep package with four
speakers. Options include a Comfort package with air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors,
cloth door inserts and the rest of the sound system (including a CD player, satellite radio and
iPod and auxiliary audio input jacks). All of these features are included on a GLS with automatic
transmission.
The Premium package offered on automatic-equipped GLS models bundles together foglights,
16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, premium cloth upholstery, upgraded interior trim, a center
storage console with sliding armrest, cruise control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and
Bluetooth.
The GS hatchback adds body-color mirrors and door handles, a rear window wiper, keyless entry
and a driver seat armrest to the features included with the GLS Comfort package. Stepping up to
the SE hatchback adds 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped steering
wheel and the equipment from the Premium package.
Powertrains and Performance
The 2012 Hyundai Accent's sole engine is a new 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder that
produces 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. The front-wheel-drive Accent is
available with either a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic
with a fuel-economy-boosting Eco mode.
EPA fuel economy estimates with either transmission are an impressive 30 mpg city and 40 mpg
highway. Combined mileage estimates are 34 mpg with the manual transmission and 33 mpg for
automatic-equipped models.
Safety

3. All 2012 Hyundai Accents come with a long list of standard safety features including antilock
disc brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front seat
side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags.
Interior Design and Special Features
Along with extending its footprint, the 2012 Hyundai Accent's new interior dimensions graduate
it from the subcompact segment into the EPA's official "compact" class. Much of the Accent's
additional space comes from the rear seat, with more headroom and legroom making the
backseat ride comfortable for even 6-foot passengers. The sloping roof line does eat into some
available headroom, however, and fifth passengers will find the rear seat's raised center section
useful only when walking is the remaining option.
Although the front seats are suitably roomy, taller drivers may bemoan the lack of a telescoping
steering wheel. The hatchback also features some compromised rearward visibility. But overall,
the Accent's patterned upholstery fabric and updated dash, consoles, trim and storage nooks
contribute to an upscale feel for a car of this class.
The Accent sedan offers relatively large trunk space at 13.7 cubic feet. The four-door hatchback,
meanwhile, provides 21.2 cubic feet of cargo volume with the rear seats up and 47.5 cubic feet
when folded.
Driving Impressions
In the times of 500-plus-horsepower supercars, the 2012 Hyundai Accent's 138-hp output might
sound paltry. Yet this sophisticated direct-injection four-cylinder pulls significantly stronger than
the power plants of its major competitors. Both the six-speed manual and the six-speed automatic
transmissions make good use of that output, too.
On the road, the Accent provides both a comfortable ride and decent handling. What it lacks in
sporty steering and suspension settings, it compensates for with balance and composure --
criteria likely more important to buyers shopping this segment. That the Accent performs this
well overall while still returning an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway is impressive.