2015 Hyundai Accent review

What We Like:

Performance: It doesn’t have the same kind of zip as turbocharged competitors like the Ford Fiesta and Chevy Sonic, but the Accent is plenty quick thanks to a plucky 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. It makes just 137 horsepower, but responds quickly to the gas pedal and accelerates steadily from zero to 60 mph in about nine seconds. A well-calibrated six-speed automatic transmission helps (and there’s always the smooth-shifting, do-it-yourself manual option). The Accent’s composure and steady grip in corners is equally endearing, with confident and direct steering that makes fun work of a winding road.

Comfort: With tall doors and a low floor that make for easy entry and exit, and a dash angled slightly away from the front seats, the Accent feels refreshingly open inside. Front seats offer plenty of cushioning for long drives, and there’s ample space in all four seats; like most subcompacts, the rear middle seat is best left unoccupied for anything but the shortest trips. Ride quality is better than most subcompacts, and while the Accent isn’t quite a European luxury car, it does an admirable job of muting wind, road and engine noise.

Value: The 2015 Accent reinforces Hyundai’s reputation for offering excellent value. Standard features include keyless entry, heated side mirrors, and a six-speaker sound system with USB jack for basic smartphone media control. Moving up the trim ladder to the Sport hatchback adds features like 16-inch wheels, rear disc brakes (many subcompacts at the time had rear drum brakes) and Bluetooth® connectivity.

What Needs Improvement

Fuel Economy: Our only real gripe with the well-rounded Accent is that falls short of its EPA-estimated fuel economy target in Edmunds testing. The EPA gives it an estimated score of 31 mpg combined with the automatic transmission and 32 mpg combined with the manual.