2015 Hyundai Accent Review – Best Subcompact Car

Hyundai’s business in the US was built on delivering small, affordable vehicles, such as the Accent 4-door sedan.

But that focus has shifted dramatically over the past decade.

What Hyundai have done in that time is nothing short of spectacular.

Their line-up now includes a variety of vehicles – the Genesis sedan, Genesis Coupe, Sonata, and Veloster – that have a premium feel and a totally unique design.

That is not to say that they have totally abandoned the affordable small car, though, as the Accent still fits that bill very nicely.

We haven’t really talked much about the Hyundai Accent in recent years, mostly because of all the other stuff that the carmaker has been doing, so we thought it might be a good idea to see if this capable subcompact had followed the same upward trajectory as the other cars in the Hyundai stable.

2015 Hyundai Accent Review

There are a few minor changes to be found on the Hyundai Accent, as well as some new equipment added into the mix.

There is a definite European sense of style to be found on the new Accent, with the new taillights now coming with a white stripe running across the upper edge.

It is that little touch, along with several other new design cues, that make the Accent fall on the classier side of the affordable car offerings.

If you are looking for even more splash for your cash, you should take a look at what you get by adding the $800 Style Package.

That comes with LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, projector beam headlights, and rear disc brakes.

Accent Interior

The interior of the updated 2015 Hyundai Accent comes with a center stack that bears a resemblance to the one found on the previous generation Sonata.

If going with the aforementioned Style Package, you will find premium seat cloth and gloss-black trim accents in the cabin.

Those of you looking for leather or navigation in this model are going to be out of luck, as neither are offered. It’s tough to complain, though, as these are not really features that you would expect to find on a model in this price range.

There is ample room for the driver and passenger up front, and while space is a little more limited in the back seat, it is still a lot better than many of the other subcompacts on the market. All of the seats offer excellent support and are very comfy.

Another nice bonus is the 13.7 cubic feet of space available in the trunk, which is also more than you might expect from a car of this size.

Engine Specs, MPG Ratings

Driving the 2015 Accent is not the most thrilling experience that you will ever have, but the 1.6-liter direct injection engine delivers a satisfying ride.

The power output of the engine comes in at 136 horsepower and 123 lb.-ft. of torque, which is best in the segment.

You can get improved fuel economy by activating Active Eco mode, which basically tones down the accelerator response a notch.

EPA fuel economy estimates are also tops in the segment at 27 mpg city and 38 mph highway when the engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

When the 6-speed manual transmission is used, those numbers change to 26/37 mpg, so not really a major difference.

Driving Dynamics

The ride is relatively smooth, but you will feel the bumps a little, which is about what you would expect from an entry level model.

What is particularly impressive with the Accent is how well it handles, especially on curvy roads.

The steering takes a bit of getting used to, as it falls a little on the lighter side, but its fine once you get the hang of it.

2015 Accent GLS Trim Level & Features

The Accent sedan is only available in a single trim (GLS), while hatchbacks come in etiher the GS or Sport trim level.

The 2015 Accent GLS 4-door sedan comes at a starting price of $15,555, which is a good bit more than the most inexpensive option in the segment.

That said, it does come with a nice collection of standard features, such as air conditioning, an iPod-compatible USB port, power locks and windows, and remote keyless entry.

The 2015 Accent GS 5-door hathback essentially has the same features, and comes in at $250 more.

We already mentioned the Style Package, but you also have the option of adding the Preferred Equipment Packge for $600. With that you get Bluetooth, cruise control, center armrest, adjustable steering column, and stereo controls on the steering wheel.

Adding an automatic transmission costs another $1,000, bringing the total price to $18,080, which is more than the comparable Nissan Versa SV ($16,855), but less than the Chevrolet Sonic LT ($18,665).

5 Year/60,000 Mile Hyundai Warranty

While both of those vehicles have features not found on the Accent, the game changer is really the warranty delivered by Hyundai.

There really isn’t another vehicle on he market than can match the 5 year/60,000 mile whole car warranty and the 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

Test Drive Conclusion

The Accent has a lot of competition in this segment, yet it still finds a way to stand out in the crowd.

It may not be the sportiest vehicle in the class, but it does have other things, including that large trunk space and excellent fuel economy, that help set it apart from the rest.

There are plenty of better looking cars in the Hyundai line-up, but the 2015 Accent compact sedan is still a smart looking subcompact that delivers.

It’s obvious that Hyundai are still committed to serving consumers looking for a solid value proposition in the small car market.