The 2009 Hyundai Accent is again a reminder that a small and affordable car can be value-packed at the same time. With its compliant ride, surprisingly roomy interior, supportive seats, excellent sound system and long warranty, the Accent is certainly among the top picks in the economy car segment.
Yes, the Accent is primarily a basic economy car. And yes, it's one of the more affordable on the road. But it's also actually a nice drive, and its impressive stereo is likely the best available in its price range.
And new for the 2009 model year, the Accent has boosted its fuel efficiency over the already good 2008 model by 3% to 8%. New features have also been made available, including cruise control, power accessories and keyless entry.
Standard Features And Options:
The 2009 Hyundai Accent is available in three trims: GS, SE and GLS. The GS and the SE are two-door hatchback coupes, while the GLS comes only as a four-door sedan.
Standard features on the base GS coupe are fairly sparten and include 14 inch steel wheels, a six-way-adjustable driver seat, intermittent wipers, two 12-volt power outlets, and a reclining 60/40-split rear seatback ... although you are unlikely to find models at dealers equipped like this. You're much more likely to find models featuring options such as power accessories, air conditioning, keyless entry, an alarm, and a 172 watt CD/MP3 audio system with satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.
Standard features on the two-door SE coupe include all of the GS's optional features, plus a sport tuned suspension, 16 inch alloy wheels, foglamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a rear center armrest with cupholders, as well as a short-throw sport shifter on the models with manual transmission.
While standard air conditioning comes with the Accent GLS sedan, its options list is basically the same as the GS coupe.
In addition, cruise control is now offered as an option on all models and a sunroof is available on the SE.
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
Powering the front-wheel-drive Accent is a capable 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 110 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque. It's coupled with either a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic.
The EPA estimated gas mileage for a manual Accent is 27 mpg city and 33 mpg on the highway. The automatic Accent comes in just a shade lower at 26 mpg in the city and a somewhat better 35 mpg on the highway.
Safety:
Standard safety features on all 2009 Accents include front-seat side impact airbags and full-length head curtain airbags. In addition, antilock brakes (ABS) are standard on SE coupes and are an available option on GLS sedans.
In government crash tests, the Hyundai Accent sedan received a perfect five stars for both the driver and front passenger in frontal impacts. However, in side impact tests, the Accent received four stars for front occupant protection and three stars for rear-seat passengers.
Interior:
The interior of the Accent is another strongpoint. While smaller than either the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, the Accent actually has more interior room. While fairly simple, it's also attractively designed, well thought out and functional. The seating is quite comfortable and outward visibility is also good.
Trunk space is about average for its class coming in at more than 12 cubic feet. Those needing extra space may lean towards the hatchback coupe's nearly 16 cubic feet.
Drive:
While not trying to impress as a speedster, the 2009 Accent is a quite capable performer. The ride is smooth and comfortable on GS and GLS models, while the SE is a bit more athletic due to its firmer suspension tuning. Overall, the Accent is one of the better handling entry-level economy cars on the market.
Update: Weak Economy Leads To Lower Accent Prices:
Hyundai sales fell again last month, evidence of a continuing weak economy and an especially weak car buying trend. There's some good deals to be had right now in this very soft car market.
How To Buy A New Hyundai Accent At The Best Price: Before listing MSRP and invoice prices for the 2009 Accent, here's a technique that will show you the best way to buy one at the lowest price, especially given the current slow economic environment.
Home
