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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Hyundai Accent

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Hyundai Accent

Overview

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2011 Hyundai Accent Review

By KBB.com Editors

Introduced in 1994, the Hyundai Accent led U.S. entry-level car sales from 2000-2005, mostly due to its value for the money and an aggressive warranty. A trend toward smaller, less expensive vehicles has brought a slew of new competitors to the field, including Korean partner Kia's Rio, Honda's Fit, Nissan's Versa, Toyota's Yaris, Ford's Fiesta and Chevrolet's Aveo. Still, not many can touch the Accent's low price and amazingly long warranty, or the fact that J.D Powers awarded the 2010 Accent top honors in its Initial Quality Survey for the sub-compact category. Those with an eye for style as well as thrift may find more to like with the Accent then its newer, but pricier, rivals.

You'll Like This Car If...

If an ultra-practical and affordable subcompact is your next vehicle purchase, you'll appreciate the 2011 Hyundai Accent's value, which includes numerous safety features, a long warranty and unusual availability of accessories. If your driving aspirations are bigger than your budget, you should also appreciate the SE three-door's sporty look, astonishingly responsive handling and cornering capability.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you want something a bit more expressive, especially in a four-door sedan, or prefer a Japanese or domestic brand, you should take a good look at the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Ford Fiesta or the Chevy Aveo.

What's New for 2011

In an effort to keep prices in check, Hyundai has deleted the SE trim's sunroof for 2011. On the plus side, however, the GS trim gains a 172-watt six-speaker stereo with iPod, USB and auxiliary audio input jacks.

Driving the Accent

Driving Impressions Hyundai's 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generates 110 horsepower, but it's hardly a strong performer. Driving the optional four-speed automatic in our test GLS Sedan, it managed zero-to-60 mph acceleration in a...

bit over 13 seconds. By today's standards, that's on the slow side. The SE three-door with the manual five-speed transmission can do it in about 11 seconds. Also, like most small engines in inexpensive cars, it's a bit noisy and thrashy at high rpm. Otherwise, our GLS rode and drove fairly well and scooted through turns with surprising response. Despite its eight manual adjustments, the driver's seat did not provide a really comfortable position for us, and its rearward adjustment was insufficient for our longish legs. The cloth-lined trunk is relatively roomy and the rear-seat pass-through is handy, but rear roominess is just par for the class.

Favorite Features

GLS Handling
We were pleasantly surprised with the steering and handling of our Premium Package-equipped test GLS, and the sports-oriented SE three-door does even better on its 16-inch tire-and-wheel package.

Hyundai Warranty
An extra-long warranty is one thing an automaker can offer to improve buyer confidence and Hyundai's is one of the best, with five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage that's matched with impressive quality improvements.

2011 Hyundai Accent Details

Interior

The Accent's interior materials are consistent with its price: Generally inexpensive but with attractive textures and two-tone trim. Among the least-appealing items is the central swing-open bin that's shaped like an ashtray but isn't; the actual ashtray is an odd removable cup that sits atop the console. The radio is an easy-to-use unit with large knobs for volume and tuning, while the three-dial HVAC controls are attractive and have a quality feel – except for a too-stiff temperature dial.

Exterior

While the SE three-door is sporty and expressive, we think the Accent Sedan is pretty plain vanilla. Its design is clean, functional and fairly aerodynamic, but hardly exciting. The best part is probably up front, with large wide-eyed headlamps, a full-width lower air intake and distinctive grilles – a body-color bar across the three-door models, a black-out pattern on the four-door. One nice touch is a body-color protective molding along each side to fend off shopping carts and help prevent door dings.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The modest GS standard-equipment list includes power steering, automatic transmission, tilt steering column, eight-way manually-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split rear seat, cabin air filtration, tachometer, variable intermittent wipers, 172-watt six-speaker audio system with CD/MP3 and iPod, USB and auxiliary audio input jack and a rear spoiler. The SE adds air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry with alarm and panic alert, fog lights, sport suspension, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), cruise control, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The GLS Sedan has base GS equipment plus the option of a five-speed manual. All models boast extensive standard safety equipment, including seat-mounted side airbags and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags, in addition to advanced front airbags.

Optional Equipment

The GL trim can be equipped with air conditioning, while the GS trim offers the Premium Package which adds anti-lock brakes (ABS), power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry and alarm. The GLS Premium Package adds to this cruise control, tilt-wheel and steering-wheel mounted audio controls. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard on GS and available on GLS and SE, and there's a long list of port- and dealer-installed accessories, including Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity.

Under the Hood

Hyundai's 1.6-liter four has dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and CVVT (continuously Variable Valve Timing) on the intake side. It generates 110 horsepower and provides a very respectable – and wallet-friendly – 26/35 EPA miles per gallon when teamed with the optional automatic in the GLS Sedan.

1.6-liter in-line 4
110 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
106 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/34 (manual), 27/36 (automatic), 26/36 (Blue)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Hyundai Accent vehicles for sale near you.

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2011 Hyundai Accent Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.1

Out of 10

Based on 260 Ratings for the 2006 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

8.7/10

Quality

8.3/10
Reliability

8.9/10

Performance

8.1/10
Comfort

8.0/10

Styling

8.2/10

Affordable, Reliable, Good gas mileage

By Tiffany (TX) on Friday, July 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 45,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Cute, Affordable, Reliable, Good gas mileage"

Cons: "Cramped, weird interior design, CD player"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I've always wanted a hatchback, and in the two years I've owned this car have been VERY happy with it. It is affordable and gets average 30mpg (and I live in the CITY, would be more on highway driving). It's also been reliable regarding repairs. I've only seen the check engine light once, and it was to replace some belts and the gas cap. For what I need now, it is a perfect little car. Downside: interior design is not that great, not legroom in the back although that's to be expected, and it has a CD player that is difficult to change out for cassette or mp3. Who uses CDs anymore?"

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Purchased Economy - Received Useful Fun Auto

By TuacaTom (AZ) on Tuesday, July 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 84,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "economy, performance, usefulness"

Cons: "plastic interior, but normal for this price range"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This has been a fun car to drive and a great car to own. I purchased it in Wichita, KS with MANUAL transmission for the 30+ mpg when I moved outside of town to live and commute 1+ hours one way hiway driving from Hutchinson, KS vs my old truck at 18 mpg. It paid for itself then. I moved from Wichita to Hutch using it as a truck by folding down the rear seats. My current commute is a metro commute across Tucson, AZ 16 miles one way but 40 minutes stop and go. I also hang a bicycle on the back as I added a trailer hitch and bike rack. Currently have 84k miles on it and it runs like a top. Only needs regular maintenance trips (oil/filter) minus a coil at $80k miles, very low cost maintenance overall. I LOVE THIS CAR. It's paid for and I cannot justify replacing it nor do I desire to."

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bETTER THAN EXPECTED

By ROCKY (FL) on Thursday, July 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 46,850

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "economical"

Cons: "can't think of any"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We've had this car nearly 7 years/47K miles. It has given us far better than EPA mpg. Never had a problem. With seats folded, it serves us as a mini-truck. Our mpg overall is around 30 mpg...city/highway/light tow infrequently. Love the Hyundai brand; we've had several going back to 1999."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Excellent value, reliable

By Tony (IN) on Sunday, July 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 82,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I purchased the 4 door sedan new in 2009. It was - for a new car - inexpensive. At 82,000 miles I've only done routine maintaince. Get's the gas mileage that the EPA sticker lists. It has a nicer ride than you expect in a small, economical car and even feels a little sporty. Trunk size is good for a small car. Front seats are roomy enough, rear is fine for two kids and tolerable for two adults. There are very few "cons". The rear suspension must be too soft - with adult rear seat passengers the rear end of the car will bottom out on even minor bumps. The fabric on the seats doesn't wear particularly well and is easy to stain. The single biggest issue with the car goes back to when I bought it in 2009. Power windows, locks and cruise control could only be purchased as part of package that included an expensive sound system and a few other features. So if you wanted cruise and pw/pl, you had to shell out well over 2 grand. Which made an inexpensive car a lot more expensive. I've done without, but the few long trips I've taken I have missed cruise control"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Used as a construction truck

By luke (TX) on Tuesday, July 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 173,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Great"

Cons: "wears tires fast"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Bought the 2009 hatchback accent new when gas hit $4.50 a gallon. Traded in a chevy pickup. As of today the car is just getting ready to hit 173,000 miles.Besides maintence (which is a bit pricey), I have done nothing but put front brakes on it. The tires wear fast - about every 25,000 miles new ones are needed. Other than that there has been no problems. I carry concrete test cylinders in it , construction gear , go off road on dirt and stone , the damm thing just keeps on going. Always run synthetic fluids in it. Not the most comfortable ( I am 6 ft. , 230 lbs.) But I cant complain !!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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