Vehicle: 2012 Hyundai Accent GLS hatchback with 6-speed automatic + Shiftronic
Price as tested: CDN$18399
Performance: The original Accent was the vehicle that singlehandly change consumer’s perception on Hyundai. In the early 90s, Hyundai was the definition of disposable car which people “have” to buy instead of “want” to buy. Then came the 1993 Accent which completely change on how cheap and nasty to affordable and cheerful. Here comes the 4th generation of this very Accent.
Underneath Accent’s sleek bonnet lies a potent 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine, this Gamma engine series has advanced technologies abound. Right from the gasoline direct fuel injection, double variable valve timing, 4-valve-per-cylinder to throttle-by-wire. With all these technologies found in this world-class engine, it has a class-leading 138 stallion and 123 lb/ft of torque. What makes the Gamma so different from Accent’s engines of yore is the level of refinement. Although Accent’s outgoing powertrains are far from being rough racket, it certainly not up to the class standard set by the likes of Fit and Fiesta. With the introduction of the Gamma, it has enough pace and grace to pit Accent against the best has to offer in this tough segment. The refinement, NVH and flexability are world class. Its smooth revving right from the get going, however, it tends to get a bit noisy when pushed hard into the rev range. The main reason for such a peppy performer is Accent only has to carry 2429lb of weight through its wrist. As the old saying goes “light makes might”, it really have done wonders for this little roundabout. 
In only a couple of years ago, subcompact used to be offer mostly with 4-speed automatic. With the new Accent, its available with a smooth shifting 6-speed manumatic. The extra top gears really help to make Accent’s highway cruising less buzzy while more relaxing. Even if the top end of Accent’s powertrain is a tad noisy, the 6th gear has given it revving far less for more sincere cruising. On the other hand, the low 1st and 2nd gears have matched with its 123 lb/ft of torque relatively well. That means Accent has a peppy launch off-the-line while the maunmatic mode has given driver more variety when it comes to shifting.
Handling: Pushed the Accent through corners, it have exhibited some kind of driving characterisics one never expects from an entry-level subcompact. The biggest delight is how thoroughtly engineered Accent’s chassis have done through the process. Its both rigid and solid without any sorts of cracks and rattles. Even if the Accent rides on the basic suspension types, it doesn’t exhibit any kind of nasty habits when pushed it through the paces. I expect the Accent to be cruel and rough, it came out as refined and civilized in all of its driving manners. The suspension is comfortably compliant which means absorbing all the bumps and roughness with ease. On the other hand, its rack-and-pinion power steering provides sure-footness feel and feedback without any serious complaint, in terms of overall responsiveness and level of precision. Its all have one in a very elegant manners. There are safe understeer as one expects from an entry-level subcompact, however, all in a civilized manners when matching with state-of-the-art ESC. This ESC has acted as a guardian angel whenever driver rears Accent’s ugly heads, all without being too abruptly instrusive. Body motion has been kept to a minimal.
Brakes: With front discs, rear drums and standard ABS; the Accent has stopped accordingly. The stopping distance is short, while pedal always feels crisp and well-modulated. Just like the rest of the dynamic package, Accent’s braking system has been elegantly engineered in a way one would never believe its an entry-level car. Add to the ABS which doesn’t step in unnecessarily is an added bonus. On the other hand, we have to give Hyundai credit for giving ABS as standard feature on our GLS trim. That’s always been a good move in my books for offering active safety feature standard without have to burden it into any of those option packages.
Interior: Given Accent’s physical dimensions, its luggage space has been layout decently. However, there is an issue. The rear seats aren’t completely fold flat into the floor, having it an inch or so on top of the floor isn’t doing much to safety when the luggage is floating on top of those seats between the floor. With the rear seats fold flat, it has 111.3 cubin feet of luggage space which is more than any of its competitions.
Unlike its sedan silibing, hatchback has a wide open area without any instrusive trunk hinges which tend to crash anything beneath those. For such a subcompact, its always a more rational approach to take hatchback instead of a traditional sedan.
For a subcompact, the rear head and legrooms are more than acceptable for outboard passengers.
The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. Everything else right from the HVAC to stereo have been initutive and user-friendly, in a way of what a subcompact should be. The velour seats are well-foamed and comfortable. In terms of plastic materials and fit-and-finish, Hyundai has done a very good job of texturing those hard plastic instead a tasteful one without feeling lifeless. On top of all that, our GLS’s steerng comes with redundant controls for Bluetooth capability to stereo. The Accent is pretty much well-loaded and then some…:)
Conclusion: The new Accent is the prime example of subcompact can be both premium and afforable in nature. Everything else from the civilized driving manner to the refined powertrain have spoken of how far subcompact has gone in only a few short years. Add to the classy interior with its mini-Sonata appearance, Hyundai will have another winner on its hands.
Competitions:
Honda Fit
Toyota Yaris
Nissan Versa
Ford Fiesta
Mazda2
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2012 Hyundai Accent GLS
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 4/5
Overall rating: 4/5