2009 Hyundai Accent Oerview
Hyundai has done much to improve its reputation over preceding decades. That effort has paid off greatly. The 2009 Hyundai Accent was designed to reflect that growing consumer confidence, as well as provide greater fuel economy in the subcompact class. The Hyundai Accent is available in two forms, the two-door hatchback, which comes in two trims, and the four-door sedan, which is available in a single trim level. There is a single engine available between the hatchback and sedan, a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that puts out 110 hp. Two transmissions are available, a four-speed manual transmission, or a five-speed automatic.
The Hyundai Accent combines numerous safety options with other upgrades, packing value into a small package. The Accent offers ABS, side curtain airbags, dual-front airbags and more. Optional upgrades include remote entry, power locks and windows, as well as available sport suspension on some models. In addition, the Accent shares its DNA with some of the Kia models available, though the resemblance is very subtle.
Prices range considerably on the Accent, due to model and options chosen. However, the Accent represents one of the most affordable options in the marketplace. A GS two-door hatchback with a manual transmission starts at just $11,070, while adding an automatic kicks the price up to $12,070. The GLS sedan with a manual transmission starts at $12,090, though $13,920 gets you the automatic. Finally, the SE hatchback with a manual starts at $15,070 and an automatic transmission kicks the price up to $15,870. Prices have fluctuated lately as Hyundai wages a battle with the Nissan Versa to have the cheapest car in America.
2009 Hyundai Accent Performance
The Hyundai Accent suffers from numerous performance issues. However, acceleration with the automatic transmission is one of the most dramatic. The 1.6-liter engine is sufficient to propel the vehicle through traffic, but the automatic transmission is sluggish and weak. The GLS is only capable of 0 – 60 mph times of over 11 seconds. The manual transmission can reduce that time to less than 10 seconds, which is not a huge improvement.
The Accent does offer tremendous fuel savings for owners. The average fuel economy for the Accent GS comes in at around 30 mpg, though the automatic transmission reduces that a bit. The steering is also problematic in the Accent. The boost from the power steering is sufficient to take away any feel of the road, and the steering is very light. Turning in the Accent GS or Accent GLS induces considerable body lean and the narrow tires provide very little grip of the road. However, the Accent SE offers a better suspension and wider tires, helping to reduce the amount of body lean and increase the amount of grip the Accent has.
The Hyundai Accent has decent ride quality for a subcompact car, especially over light bumps and mildly rough roads. However, rougher roads or larger bumps can induce jouncing in the car. The sport suspension of the SE helps reduce the amount of jouncing experienced, but the firmer suspension lets smaller bumps come through. The solid construction of the Hyundai Accent gives the car a very strong feel during driving, as well. In short, many of the Hyundai's shortcomings can be cured by simply adding better wheels and tires or choosing the sportier version at the dealer.
Additionally, the ride is relatively quiet, with the exception of tire noise from contact with the road. Wind noise is considerably dampened and engine noise is only noticeable at higher RPM ranges.
2009 Hyundai Accent Interior
The interior of the Accent is surprisingly nice given the price of the vehicle. The cloth-covered seats are comfortable and firm, while the plastic used in the dash and throughout the interior is of high quality. While padded surfaces may be scarce, the overall feel is one of quality and mild refinement.
The controls and gauges are well laid out for use and visibility. All driver information is found within the central gauge cluster. The radio and the HVAC controls (if equipped) are easily reached from the driver's position. In addition, all gauges are placed for optimum visibility during day or night driving, with quality lighting that ensures visibility.
The front seats offer good room for the subcompact class, with plenty of seat travel for all but the tallest drivers. In addition, the visibility from the driver position is excellent, unlike many other options in the class. Rear seats enjoy considerable legroom, as well as headroom. The hatchback model has lower headspace than the sedan enjoys, due to the slope of the roof to meet the hatch.
The sedan does not offer as much cargo room as the hatchback, but that is to be expected. Both have relatively narrow openings, preventing the insertion of larger items. However, the rear seats of both hatchbacks and sedans fold for better access and more cargo space. Map pockets and cup holders provide sufficient storage space in the interior, though the glove box is not overly large.
2009 Hyundai Accent Safety Features
The Hyundai Accent provides some of the best safety features in the subcompact class. Drivers will find dual-front airbags for great protection, as well as side curtain airbags as standard equipment on both hatchbacks and sedans. A tire pressure monitor is also standard across the board. The SE adds antilock brakes to the package, as well. The NHTSA scored the Accent relatively high on most options, though rear passenger impact only received a score of three out of five. Front driver and passenger impact scored five out of five, while rollover resistance and driver side impact scored a four out of five.
2009 Hyundai Accent Summary
The 2009 Hyundai Accent is both fuel-efficient and affordable, giving interested consumers access to a low cost driving solution. What the vehicle lacks in speed is made up for in many other areas. This vehicle makes a perfect choice for those with an economical frame of mind, as well as those who seek a low-maintenance vehicle. The extreme warranty length offered by Hyundai is one of the best benefits of owning an Accent.