2015 Hyundai Accent Pros vs Cons

Hitting the market as the fourth generation version for the 2012 model year, the Hyundai Accent for 2015 receives a few minor tweaks. It gets a new grill, headlights, taillights, and a few changes to the optional equipment offerings. The Hyundai Accent gives you a lot of bang for your buck and is rated 12 of 41 affordable small cars for 2015, by U.S. News and World report.

With room for five passengers, the Hyundai Accent is available as a sedan or hatchback and is their least expensive, entry-level car. A great choice as a first or second vehicle that gets respectable gas mileage, the Accent is offered at an affordable price. Buying a new Hyundai can be less expensive than buying used. The warranty that comes with a new Hyundai will have you covered long after you have made your last payment.

Reasons You May Want to Consider a 2015 Hyundai Accent - The Pros

1. Affordability

With a price between $15,000 and $18,000, buying a Hyundai Accent will not break the bank. Placing in third place in the U.S. News and World Report of subcompact cars, the Accent beat all of the competition except for Honda and its almost identical twin, the Kia Rio.

2. Excellent Fuel Economy

The estimated mileage of the Accent is 27/38, city/hwy when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. When equipped with the shiftable, six-speed automatic tranny, the Accent returns an estimated 26/34 mpg. Little difference if you choose the automatic, but you will miss the fun of driving it as a stick shift.

3. Powerful Acceleration

The only available engine for the Hyundai Accent is a 137 horsepower, DOHC, 1.6-liter four cylinder that turns out 123 foot-pounds of torque. When mated to the six-speed manual or the smooth shifting, shiftable six-speed automatic, the Accent provides strong acceleration. While it is not a sports car, even though the Accent Hatchback has a Sport trim level, the Accent provides decent handling for a sub-compact and with the addition of the safety features, maintains a reassuring grip on the road.

4. Well Equipped

With only three trim levels available, all with either the manual or the automatic transmission, the Accent is well equipped in the base model GLS Sedan or GS Hatchback. Both sit on 14-inch steel wheels and have air conditioning, keyless entry, and full power accessories, tilt steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat with armrest, trip computer, and an AM/FM stereo with six speakers.

There are two option packages available the Popular and Style packages, which add features such as cruise control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, and with the Style package 16-inch alloy wheels and rear disc brakes with upgraded cloth upholstery.

5. Comfortable

Although classified as a sub-compact, the Accent has the room of a compact car. The front buckets are supportive and roomy, the cabin has a nice ambience for a car at this price level and the interior fit and finish has a high quality appearance.

6. Quiet

The solid construction of the accent makes for a quiet ride. The engine will get buzzy when pushing it at high revs, but the overall noise of the road is low for a small car.

7. Spacious Cabin

There is enough space in the rear seat for six-footers to have a comfortable amount of head and legroom.

8. Roomy Cargo Space

With above class average cargo space the trunk of the Accent Sedan has a 13.2 cubic foot capacity and the Hatchback offers 21.2 cubic feet of space and 47.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

9. Safety

Standard four wheel anti-lock braking, stability and traction control and braking assist will help you keep your Accent firmly planted on the road. The dual front mounted air bags, front and rear head airbags and headrests all around will keep you and your passenger’s safe in the event of an accident.

10. Industry Leading Warranty

With a basic warranty of 5 years and 60,000 miles, you will also get the assurance of a 10 year/100,000 mile drivetrain warranty. This will give you many years of coverage after your Accent is paid for, helping you retain the value of your investment.

Reasons You May Not Want to Buy a 2015 Hyundai Accent - The Cons

1. Limited Options

Although well equipped for a sub-compact Hyundai offers very few options for the Accent. The Sport model Hatchback could benefit from one of Hyundai’s more powerful engine that could make it a contender against other Sport Hatchback’s on the market.

2. Lack of a Navigation System/Telematics

There is no available navigation system or rear view camera. The Sport Hatchback has an upgraded stereo system, but still lacks a display or other telematics that are found on new cars, even in this market segment.

3. Aged Appearance

The sedan has the appearance of a Corolla that is several years old and it could use a refresh, even though it is only three years into its last one. The Hatchback is the more attractive of the two, and it should appeal to more buyers who are looking for a sub-compact that is not only inexpensive but attractive, too.

4. Limited Visibility

The Hatchback has limited rear visibility and since there is no rear view camera available, this could be an issue for some buyers.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a new car and want one that is comfortable, efficient, spacious and affordable, the Hyundai Accent is worth a test drive. The availability of a rainbow of colors will give you a car that is personalized to suit your taste. The low price and lengthy warranty will give you peace of mind.