TL;DR
- The Hyundai Accent is an amazing car, offering dignified styling and modern features. It's affordable, functional, and fuel-efficient, despite its bargain price.
- For 2022, the Accent received a new anti-theft immobilizer. However, its manual transmission was dropped, marking its final model year.
- Koeppel Hyundai provides a wide selection of new and used Hyundai vehicles and aims for exceptional customer service in Long Island City, NY.
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The Hyundai Accent has long been celebrated for its thoughtful design and incredible value, making it an amazing choice for budget-conscious drivers looking for quality and style. Across its many generations, this subcompact car has consistently offered a reliable and fuel-efficient driving experience, adapting to the evolving needs of drivers worldwide. If you are exploring the various types of Hyundai Accent models, Koeppel Hyundai is your trusted destination to find an exceptional Hyundai Accent for sale.
First Generation Hyundai Accent (1994-1999)
The Hyundai Accent, initially introduced as a replacement for the Excel, made its debut in 1994 for the 1995 model year. In North America, this first generation was available as a front-wheel-drive vehicle, offered in both saloon and hatchback body styles. Buyers could choose from various engine options, ranging from a 1.3-liter inline four-cylinder petrol engine to a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder petrol engine. Globally, this model was known by different names such as Dodge Brisa in Venezuela, Hyundai Excel in markets like the Netherlands and Australia, and Hyundai Pony in France. In Indonesia, it was marketed as the Bimantara Cakra, and in China, as the Kia Qianlima.
Australian models, released in November 1994, came in Sprint and GX trims for the three-door liftback, and LX and GLX trims for the four-door sedan and five-door liftback. Higher-specification models featured a full cloth interior, driver's seat adjustments for height and lumbar support, a four-speaker sound system, a passenger vanity mirror, a tachometer, and a standard power antenna. A facelift arrived in Australia in April 1997, upgrading the engine to a twin cam DOHC G4FK version with 99 hp.
The first-generation Accent proved exceptionally popular in Australia due to its reliability and low price, becoming the third best-selling vehicle in the country in both 1996 and 1998. Its super-strong body structure provided unparalleled protection, meeting the latest crash safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration of the United States.
Second Generation Hyundai Accent (1999-2005): Enhanced Performance and Design
The redesigned second-generation Accent, known as the LC, was introduced in 1999, featuring a more angular body and increased dimensions. This generation saw a minor facelift in 2003. For the North American market, the Accent was available in GL, GLS, and GT trim levels, initially with a 1.5-liter engine, which was later upgraded to a 1.6-liter engine starting in 2002. The GT version shared similarities with the MVi version sold in Europe and Oceania.
Engines in this generation received revisions to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. A 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve engine replaced the 1.5-liter from 2001, though the 1.5-liter remained available in some markets. Notably, this was the first Accent to offer a diesel version, featuring a 1.5-liter three-cylinder direct injection turbodiesel engine, badged as CRDi. In Indonesia, this generation was sold under multiple names: "Accent Verna" for the 4-door body style, and "Excel II" for taxi fleets. The 5-door liftback body style was later introduced as the "Avega" from 2007 to 2012. Safety tests conducted by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) showed positive results, with the pre-2003 model scoring well in frontal offset and side impact tests.
Third Generation Hyundai Accent (2005-2011): Growing in Comfort and Safety
Hyundai unveiled the third-generation Accent, code-named MC, at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. Key improvements included a new exterior design, a larger interior, and a CVVT engine. In the United States, the sedan was offered in a single trim level, GLS, while a 3-door hatchback, available in GS and SE trims, was introduced in spring 2006 for the 2007 model year. The GLS sedan boasted a sport package, which included 15-inch alloy wheels, a 6-speaker sound system, and power door locks. This generation also received recognition from J.D. Power and Associates, which in 2008 named the Accent the most dependable sub-compact car based on a study of 2005 model year vehicles.
Engine options for this generation included a 1.4-liter Alpha I4 petrol engine producing 97.3 PS (96 hp) and a 1.6-liter CVVT Alpha II I4 petrol engine generating 112 PS (110 hp). A 1.5-liter D I4 turbo-diesel CRDi VGT engine was also available, delivering 110 PS (108 hp). For Mexico, this model was marketed as the Dodge Attitude. In India, it was known as the Hyundai Verna, while the previous generation continued to be sold alongside it as the Hyundai Accent.
Fourth Generation Hyundai Accent (2010-2019): Modernization and Efficiency
The world premiere of the fourth-generation Accent, known as the Verna, took place at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show. This generation saw its North American debut in January 2011 at the Montreal Auto Show, where both sedan and hatchback versions were introduced. A single engine option, a 1.6-liter GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) four-cylinder engine, was available in North America, producing 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque for 2011-2017 models. This engine featured an aluminum head and block, contributing to efficiency. For Australia, the Accent was launched in August 2011 with Active, Elite, and Premium grades, offering both sedan and hatchback body styles. These models were equipped with a 1.6-liter MPi engine. Later, an SR grade introduced the Gamma 1.6-liter GDi engine. As part of a 2017 upgrade, Hyundai simplified the Australian Accent lineup to a single Sport grade, which combined the SR's 1.6-liter engine, premium interior materials, cruise control, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
In Russia, this generation was assembled and sold as the Hyundai Solaris, available with 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter Gamma petrol engines. The Solaris was facelifted in 2014, receiving a new front fascia and updated 6-speed automatic and manual gearboxes for the 1.6 version. In India, the Verna was launched in May 2011 with four engine options, including 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter petrol and diesel engines, and offered safety features like 6 airbags. The Verna in India also received a facelift in 2015 and was named the Indian Car Of The Year in 2018. The Accent hatchback in Indonesia was sold as the Grand Avega and the sedan body style was available for taxi fleets as the Excel III. In Mexico, it was marketed as the Dodge Attitude until Hyundai's official arrival in the country in 2014.
Fifth Generation Hyundai Accent (2017-2022): Advanced Features and Styling
The fifth-generation Accent, known as HC/YC, was introduced in China in late 2016 and went on sale in the United States in December 2017. Unlike previous generations, the hatchback version was not offered in the United States due to low sales of its predecessor, though it remained available in Canada and Mexico. All Accent models sold in the United States and Canada were powered by a 1.6-liter GDi four-cylinder gasoline engine, initially producing 130 hp. The base SE trim featured a six-speed manual transmission, with a six-speed automatic transmission as an option, while the SEL and Limited models included the automatic as standard.
This generation brought a host of new and advanced features to the Accent, enhancing comfort and convenience. These included forward collision avoidance alert, a touchscreen infotainment system with optional Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Hyundai Blue Link services, proximity key entry with push-button start, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and heated dual front bucket seats. For the 2020 model year and beyond, the engine was replaced with a new Smartstream 1.6-liter DPi engine with continuously variable valve timing and a CVT, which reduced horsepower to 120 hp while maintaining excellent fuel efficiency.
In June 2022, Hyundai announced that the 2022 Hyundai Accent would be the final model produced, as the company shifted its focus to SUVs, with the Hyundai Venue taking its place as the entry-level option. Despite its discontinuation in some markets, the legacy of the types of Hyundai Accent continues to resonate with buyers.
Finding Your Hyundai Accent at Koeppel Hyundai
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