2022 Hyundai Accent Review

Everyone knows about the Accent’s low pricetag. The question is: does it earn it? The 2022 Hyundai Accent is ranked number one in its subcompact sedan class by the journalists and automotive test drivers at US News and World Report.

In addition, the car earned a Best rating for reliability with a 90/100 score from JD Power, a leading automotive industry analyst. Perhaps that’s why it also earns an ALG Residual Value Award for 2022. These awards indicate that this ride is a good investment for budget shoppers.

Given its other achievements, perhaps it is no surprise that Consumer Guide has named it a 2022 Best Buy. The price is low, and the overall quality is high. That’s a good recipe for success.

A low priced car isn’t always a bargain, but this Hyundai sedan definitely is. The ownership costs are perfectly in line with a tight budget. Drivers may actually recoup some of the costs because the fuel economy is so good.

Checking the U.S. Department of Energy fuel calculator, it’s apparent that the Accent can save money over typical cars. Therefore, if the new owner is replacing an old gas guzzler, the savings will be obvious. The DOE calculator shows a savings of $2,750 over a five-year period.

Hyundai has a three-year scheduled maintenance program that is free with purchase. This is in addition to the longest warranties available in automotives today. America’s Best Warranty includes 5-year limited and 10-year powertrain coverage with mileage caps at 60,000 and 100,000 respectively. There’s even roadside coverage for 5 years with no mileage cap.

Despite rising prices, the Accent price isn’t much higher than the 2021 Hyundai Accent price. Models are priced under $20,000, providing plenty of wiggle room for buyers who want to go for a top trim such as the Limited. The Accent Limited includes a 3-year subscription to valuable Blue Link Services.

When shopping for a car, you want your purchase to be fun. That’s why Hyundai offers plenty of color choices for the Accent. You can get Frost White Pearl, accentuating the car’s clean lines. An athletic look comes with hues like Olympus Silver, Absolute Black, or Forge Gray. Pomegranate Red takes things in a racy direction. Admiral Blue is a striking choice.

The interior doesn’t offer many color choices, but it does let you choose beige if the rich black doesn’t suit your taste.

Compact Sedan Size

The Accent size is one of its strong suits when looking for a parking space or finding an opening in busy traffic. However, this may limit interior space. Fortunately, Hyundai engineers created more wiggle room. The end result is a cabin with 90.2 cubic feet of passenger space.

For your travel needs, the trunk has 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space. This is sizable for its class. Plus, the rear seat split-folds to allow for bigger, longer items.

Entry Level Accent Trim

The entry level SE trim comes with all of the essentials. Everything from power windows to air conditioning is aboard. Soft touches, such as cloth door inserts, add to the stylish vibe.

A 6-way adjustable driver’s chair is just one element of an ergonomic cockpit. Sliding sun visors and a sunglasses holder are welcome amenities in our hot climate. A USB port is standard, giving you an easy way to plug in.

Despite the very low pricetag, Hyundai still manages to provide you with a 5-inch color touchscreen. In addition to radio and connectivity functions, the screen shows you clear pictures from the rearview camera.

Top Accent Trim Levels

If you want to be even more comfortable, the SEL trim level provides a sliding armrest and a tilt-telescopic steering wheel. There’s more storage with a center compartment and more conveniences such as the dual USB chargers.

Even better, there’s a 7-inch dash screen. This system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s like having a navigation system since you can send the map apps to your screen.

Still starting under $20,000, the Limited trim level is the fanciest Accent. Push button start is added along with the all-important Proximity Key. It has the Hyundai trunk release with hands-free capability. The power sunroof lets in natural air and light.

Exterior Trim Levels

The Accent is small, but it is definitely poised and stylish. A chrome grille adds a touch of class even to the entry level SE edition. Tinted glass, another SE standard, keeps out the glare.

Dropping weight, the SEL exchanges steel for aluminum alloy wheels. Useful additions include fog lights and automatic headlight control. Plain black mirrors are upgraded to body color mirrors with a power-heat function to erase fog.

The Limited has LEDs for headlights, taillights, and running lights. It adds integrated turn signals to the mirrors. Other dressy elements include chrome door handles and chrome beltline molding.

Performance

If you will be using your car for commuting, you need to know how good the Accent fuel economy is. In the stop-and-go of city driving, it manages to earn 33 miles per gallon. On the highway, it earns a hybrid-worthy 41 miles per hour. In combined driving, this represents 36 mpg.

Hyundai chose a lightweight Smartstream engine. Less weight means that the car can make more out of the horsepower and torque.

The 4-cylinder engine is mated to a special automatic. Instead of a specific number of gears, it can continuously adjust thanks to its Intelligent Variable Transmission with Shiftronic technology. Of course, the engine drives the front wheels in this front-wheel drive car.

Technology

Bluetooth and apps are part of the intelligent 5-inch touch screen system. Those with Apple smartphones can use Siri Eyes Free for additional voice controls.

Stepping up, the 7-inch touch screen is easier to see and more fun to use. This infotainment system has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Drivers will appreciate the ability to stream navigational maps to the screen. This will provide audible turn-by-turn directions as well.

Safety Features

The cabin is designed to protect its passengers from crash impact. To provide more protection in more types of scenarios, there are six airbags. Parents and caregivers can utilize second-row LATCH attachments for carseats. These help hold the boosters in place even in a crash.

Attempting to prevent collisions, the car has ABS brakes and Brake Assist for emergency stops. On the SEL and Limited trims, Hyundai adds 4-wheel disc brakes for all four tires. Electronic stability control and electronic traction control are an effective prevention measure that keeps the 2022 Accent driver in control despite road conditions, road angle, or speed.

SEL trim levels have a blind spot mirror. This is a convex mirror that can show the driver when traffic is too close for a lane change.

Limited editions add automatic braking to reduce the chances of a forward collision. This collision avoidance system first warns the driver and then responds with an emergency autobrake. After all, the best crash is not to have one at all. For even more driver assistance technology, you might want to check out the 2022 Hyundai Elantra.

Used Cars vs Accent

If you are shopping economy cars, you may be comparing the Accent to used car models. Here’s what you should know. Used vehicles don’t come with long warranties like the Accent. They also don’t come with scheduled maintenance or roadside assistance.

Furthermore, a used car loan tends to have a higher interest rate than a new car loan. Thus, if your new car costs the same as a used car, the loan will cost less in the long run.

Last but not least, a used car is unlikely to have good fuel economy. This is another indicator that used car ownership costs will be more expensive than the 2022 Hyundai Accent’s ownership costs.

The best way to know a car is to take a test drive. Check out the inventory below and then head over to our Hyundai dealership to try out the Accent and see if it is right for you.