2013 Hyundai Accent SE 5-door (995)

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2013 Hyundai Accent SE 5-Door sedan. And the “Accent” is on Economy transportation. It’s not my style but neither do I look to drive a gas guzzler any longer, so I’ve learned a balanced approach is best for me. But I would buy this for my kids as they enter high school or college.

In this class and price range it is surely a good buy, as I said for the kids or a young family or simply a commuter car. It also fits any cost conscious budget in order to have a rather spacious compact sedan priced right and cheap to operate day to day.

General Information:

Parts from the US / Canada 1%; Korea 91% including engine and transmission. It is assembled in Ulsan, Korea, Classification is Compact cars. Cars from Hyundai: Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra Touring, Equus, Genesis, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Tucson, Veloster, Veracruz.

Handling & Performance:

Zippy, around town car but only ok on the highway. It will keep up with traffic but must continually shift down to do so. But on the flip side it gets you there stingily on gas which is the most compelling mitigating fact and that is a very big deal these days and will be even more so in the immediate future.

I did feel the accelerator is a little too touchy which they (Hyundai engineers) need to look at. On the other hand the cruise control is smooth and better than some other more expensive car.

Styling:

As I said, it doesn’t appeal to my sense of sight but it is more important that “you” like the design. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and further I could take ‘ugly’ if it got 100 mpg.

Fit and Finish:

One consumer / owner said fit and finish is ‘excellent’ but I can only give it a very good.

Cost:

Now THIS IS excellent. This is a cost of a new car most can justify.

Conveniences and comfort:

It holds the road well, and generally it is a comfortable ride. It has nice simple gauges and controls including the manual a/c. It does not have NAV or back-up camera, but most of us can live without these features.

Consumer Recommendation:

This segment of the Compact Car market is rich for the picking. I have driven them all and would be hard pressed to pick out just one for me to buy. I’ve owned a Ford Fiesta and handed it down to my daughter when she turned 16 and it was a great car… right up until she totaled it. And although she flipped it upside down, slid thru one yard to the next by crashing through a fence and ended up on the porch of that second house. She and her two companions survived un-scratched – although shaken and stirred because they were not wearing seatbelts. Go figure. Luck or just a good car. Your guess is as good as mine.

Recognized Competition:

Hyundai Accent SE $16,000, Chevrolet Sonic LT $18,000, Fiat 500 Hatchback $18,000, Ford Fiesta SE $16,000, Honda CRZ $20,000, Honda Fit $18,000, Kia Forte $19,000, Kia Rio EX $17,000, Mazda 2 $16,000, Nissan Versa $17,000, Toyota Yaris $17,000.

Good News:

Very good fuel economy, great pricing, good features for the money.

Bad News:

Touchy accelerator, struggles to keep up and shifts down a lot on grades.

Standard Equipment:

1.6 GDI 138 HP 4-cylinder engine, dual CVT continuous variable valve timing, 6-speed automatic transmission, Stability control, traction control, 4-wheel ABS power assist brakes with brake force distribution, front side and side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitor, air conditioning, audio system with AM/FM/satellite Sirius XM/CD/MP3, iPod/USB and auxiliary input jacks, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, Bluetooth hands free phone, power windows and locks, heated power mirrors, remote keyless entry, trip computer, cloth door inserts, 60/40 rear split folding seat, tinted window glass, fog lights, 16” alloy wheels, (add $900 if you want a power sunroof).

Gas Stats:

$3.85 / Gal avg. September 7, 2013

www.fueleconomy.gov

For more information.

28 City and 37 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $16,095.