2018 Hyundai Accent Limited

With the 2018 Accent, Hyundai has created a superbly designed and cost-effective vehicle that is better than good.

The 2018 Hyundai Accent comes in three trims: SE, SEL, and Limited. The top-of-the-line Limited, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $18,895, will be my main focus for this column.

Even though the vehicle is affordable, the Limited is loaded with many standard amenities, including a power sunroof, heated front seats, hands-free smart trunk, along with a forward-collision avoidance system.

My favorite connectivity technology is the award-winning Blue Link. Using its remote-access function, you can start your car and warm or cool the cabin from the comfort of your easy chair or office desk. The proximity key gives the Limited push-button start. Yes, other manufacturers offer vehicles with these types of technology, but none for under 20 grand.

The Accent has an eco-friendly 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine that gives you 130 horsepower and 119 lb.-ft. of torque. With a crisp six-speed manual transmission (available for the SE trim only) or the six-speed automatic transmission (available for all three trims), the Accent demonstrates great performance while delivering up to 38 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Accent may be fleet of foot, but it is still smooth and solid on the road. The body is composed of advanced high-strength steel blended with powerful aerospace adhesive that forms a rigid, rattle-free body structure.

While you take comfortable trips to work or to the store, remember the abundance of standard safety features the Accent has to offer. These include vehicle stability management and electronic stability control with traction control, complementing the Limited trim’s forward-collision avoidance assist, assuring you safe passage to and from your daily track. In addition, a fine-tuned suspension provides a perfect balance for safety and comfort.

Even before you set off on your daily drive, the standard rear-view camera greatly expands your field of view with dynamic guidelines showing you your intended path.

The cabin has a stylish and refined atmosphere with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Also, three temperature settings are available to allow you to control the cabin comfort levels.

The Accent’s 7-inch display audio touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support lets you access many of your smartphone apps and functions using either voice command or the touchscreen. It’s also easier to tune in to your favorite channels on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

The 60/40 split-folding rear seats expand the trunk space, and the total interior space behind the front seats provides good capacity for both passengers and cargo.

The Accent’s seat backs are of substantial width, but I found both the seat backs and sides a bit confining,. And the storage space between the front seats is small and hard to open while driving. As well, there’s not a single open space or pocket of any size in the front of the cabin—excellent opportunities to lose car and house keys or your phone, garage door opener, or loose money.

Nevertheless, with good interior cabin space, superb technology, tremendous gas mileage, and a reasonable price point, the 2018 Hyundai Accent is a better buy than the Nissan Versa sedan or the Toyota Yaris.

The Accent’s wide stance, 17-inch wheels, expansive cascading grille, and wraparound headlights and taillights elevate the vehicle’s exterior qualities and make it  a strong competitor against the Honda Fit or Ford Fiesta.

Hyundai Warranty
5-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty
10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
7-year/unlimited-miles Anti-Perforation Warranty
5-year/unlimited-miles 24/7 Roadside Assistance

Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or at [email protected].